Lisinopril-HCTZ and salt substitutes? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

AlwaysWondering · 06-29-2006, 06:18 PM

I just started taking Lisinopril-HCTZ and I noticed that there was a warning on the bottle stating DO NOT to use salt substitutes. I did a bit of research to find that it's because ACE I's can cause you to retain potassium, and potassium is in salt substitutes. Potassium is in alot of foods. Does that mean I can't eat bananas anymore - or any other food high in potassium? That would really suck!

Ron.

2muchdrugs28 · 06-29-2006, 07:18 PM

All ACE inhibitors, including Lisinopril, can cause people to retain potassium. However, your other drug counters the effect because HCTZ depletes potassium.

Basically, talk to your doctor. I think that you can take eat bananas without a problem. Most people on Ace inhibitors do not have to monitor their potassium intake.

I take 5mg of Lisinopril each day and do not monitor my potassium intake. Granted, 5mg is a low dose of Lisinopril, but I do not think that I would have a potassium problem if I took a higher dose of Lisinopril. Your doctor probably will order blood tests to check your potassium levels anyways.

regards,

Lenin · 06-30-2006, 06:15 AM

There is also another dangerous angle to this.
Taking a salt-substitute imples that the person taking the HCTZ is restricting his salt. Even more potentially deady than potassium excess is serious sodium depletion.
Nobody taking thiazides should restrict salt...do one or the other.

Tamsin · 06-30-2006, 07:11 AM

Listen to Lenin.

I believe you can pee out a little extra potassium. However, if you deplete your potassium and/or sodium you end up in the ER with an irregular heart beat like I did.

Not fun!