Possible Interaction: Potassium and Digitalis

“In clinical circumstances when renal potassium loss is to be prevented such as in patients receiving digitalis , the addition of a potassium-sparing diuretic to either a thiazide or furosemide will achieve the clinical goal of providing an effective diuresis while inhibiting potassium excretion.”

“Among other factors, it is believed that the simultaneous administration of digitalis in heart patients potentiates the potassium depletion caused by diuretics.”

“Cellular depletion of magnesium and potassium is associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrythmias and increases the risk of digitalis toxicity.”

“Both distribution across cell membranes and/or renal excretion of potassium may be altered by pharmacologic agents such as diuretics, alpha- and beta-catechol antagonists and agonists, depolarizing agents, and digitalis.”

“ Digitalis and succinylcholine, by producing efflux of potassium from cells, may cause hyperkalemia.”

“The low potassium values at the same time may possibly affect the sensitivity of digitalis.”

“ Digitalis reduces the amount of potassium in cells and this alters the excitability of the ventricles.”

“In the Journal this week two teams of investigators describe a further complication of potassium depletion associated with digitalis therapy-namely, atrial tachycardia with atrioventricular block.”

“3 Levine 4 suggested that potassium loss may precipitate various arrhythmias, particularly supraventricular tachycardia, in patients receiving and in patients not receiving digitalis.”

“ Digitalis induces a loss of intracellular potassium.”

“Thus, one of the ways potassium counteracts digitalis arrhythmias is the progressive depression of idioventricular automaticity.”