How does Potassium work?

Potassium is a angiotensin 2 receptor blocker. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) block the AT1 receptor that the hormone angiotensin II uses to tighten blood vessels and make the body hold onto salt and water. With that receptor blocked, vessels relax and widen, so blood pressure falls.

What class of drug is Potassium?

Potassium is classified as angiotensin 2 receptor blocker, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, osmotic laxative, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

potassium

Potassium is a dietary supplement.

Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker

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Key facts

Active ingredient: Potassium
Drug class: Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
Type: Supplement

What is Potassium?

From the FDA label:An essential electrolyte supporting blood pressure, hydration, and muscle function.

What the evidence says

What Potassium is

Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte found naturally in many foods, and the body needs it for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that the diets of many people in the US provide less than the recommended amount of potassium, so for most people the practical issue is getting enough rather than too much. It is also sold as a dietary supplement, though potassium-only products are typically capped at small amounts (no more than 99 mg per serving).

Commonly used for

Supporting normal nerve, muscle, and heart function as an essential electrolyteHelping meet daily potassium needs when diet falls shortStudied alongside lower sodium intake in relation to blood pressure and stroke riskStudied in relation to kidney stone risk and bone healthFilling a potassium gap in a multivitamin/mineral routine

What the evidence shows

The NIH frames potassium as a required nutrient rather than a treatment, and it hedges its health claims. It states that people with low potassium intakes have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, especially on a high-salt diet, and that eating more potassium and less sodium "might help" lower blood pressure and reduce stroke risk; getting more potassium "might reduce" kidney stone risk; and people with high fruit-and-vegetable potassium intakes "seem to have" stronger bones. For blood sugar and type 2 diabetes, the NIH says more research is needed. Notably, the 2019 NASEM expert committee found the evidence insufficient to set a chronic-disease-risk-reduction intake (CDRR) for potassium, and most of this evidence concerns dietary potassium rather than high-dose supplements.

Typical dosage

Adequate Intakes (AIs) are set by age and sex: about 3,400 mg/day for adult men and 2,600 mg/day for adult women (ages 19+), with 2,900 mg/day in pregnancy and 2,800 mg/day while breastfeeding for adults (lower for teens). Because of safety concerns tied to potassium-containing drugs, most potassium dietary supplements provide no more than 99 mg per serving (only about 2% of the 4,700 mg Daily Value), so they cannot meet daily needs on their own; food is the main source. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian before taking potassium supplements or using potassium-based salt substitutes, especially if you have kidney disease or take blood-pressure or heart medications.

Safety

The NIH states that potassium from food and beverages has not been shown to cause harm in healthy people with normal kidney function, because the kidneys excrete the excess in urine. However, people with chronic kidney disease and those taking certain medications can develop dangerously high blood potassium (hyperkalemia) even at typical food intakes; risk is also higher with type 1 diabetes, congestive heart failure, liver disease, or adrenal insufficiency. Even healthy people can develop hyperkalemia if they take in more potassium from supplements or salt substitutes than their body can eliminate, so people at risk should ask their health care provider how much potassium is safe for them.

Side effects

Excess potassium can cause hyperkalemia (abnormally high blood potassium), which can be serious. The FDA has ruled that some oral drug products containing potassium chloride and providing more than 99 mg of potassium are not safe because they have been associated with small-bowel lesions, which is a key reason supplements are kept at low doses. Separately, too little potassium (hypokalemia) — from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, laxative or diuretic use, heavy sweating, or other causes — can cause constipation, tiredness, and muscle weakness, and more severe cases can cause muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and irregular heartbeat; severe hypokalemia can be life-threatening.

Interactions & cautions

The NIH notes that some medications can interact with potassium. ACE inhibitors (e.g., benazepril/Lotensin) and angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., losartan/Cozaar), as well as potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., amiloride/Midamor, spironolactone/Aldactone), decrease the amount of potassium lost in urine and can push potassium levels too high, especially in people with kidney problems. Conversely, loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide/Lasix) and thiazide diuretics (e.g., chlorothiazide/Diuril) increase urinary potassium loss and can cause abnormally low levels. Tell all your health care providers about every supplement and medicine you take so they can check for interactions.

Sources

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Summarized from public health authorities; general reference, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional before starting any supplement.

Foods & drinks to be careful with

Well-established interactions for this medicine’s drug class, summarized from public health authorities. General information, not medical advice — always confirm with your pharmacist or the label.

Potassium-rich foods & salt substitutes
Watch out for: salt substitutes containing potassium, and large amounts of potassium-rich foods or supplements.
These medicines can raise blood potassium. Adding a lot of extra potassium can push it too high (hyperkalemia), which can affect the heart.
What to do: Don't use potassium-based salt substitutes unless your clinician approves, and ask before taking potassium supplements. Your clinician may check your potassium level with blood tests.
Source: Lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor) — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) · Spironolactone (a potassium-sparing diuretic) — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

Drug class

How this class works, per Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB) - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.

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Frequently asked questions

How does Potassium work?: Potassium is a angiotensin 2 receptor blocker. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) block the AT1 receptor that the hormone angiotensin II uses to tighten blood vessels and make the body hold onto salt and water. With that receptor blocked, vessels relax and widen, so blood pressure falls.
What class of drug is Potassium?: Potassium is classified as angiotensin 2 receptor blocker, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, osmotic laxative, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Information is sourced from public FDA regulatory data. Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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Key facts

What is Potassium?

What the evidence says

What Potassium is

Commonly used for

What the evidence shows

Typical dosage

Safety

Side effects

Interactions & cautions

Sources

Foods & drinks to be careful with

Drug class

Ways to save

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

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