Overview

Potassium is a mineral that is important for many body functions. Food sources include fruits, cereals, beans, milk, and vegetables.

Potassium plays a role in the transmission of nerve signals, muscle contractions, fluid balance, and various chemical reactions.

Potassium is most commonly used for treating and preventing low potassium levels, treating high blood pressure, and preventing stroke. It's also used for prediabetes and many other conditions, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Effective for

  • Low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia). Taking potassium by mouth or by IV prevents and treats low levels of potassium in the blood. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.

Likely Effective for

  • High blood pressure. Taking potassium can lower blood pressure. Potassium seems to work best for people with high blood pressure, low potassium levels, and high sodium intake. People with high blood pressure should aim to eat foods that provide 3500-5000 mg of potassium daily. This intake of potassium is expected to lower blood pressure by about 4-5 mmHg in people with high blood pressure.
  • Kidney stones. Taking potassium citrate can help prevent kidney stones from reoccurring. However, this medication should be prescribed by a healthcare professional. It is unclear whether supplementation with potassium citrate is helpful.

Possibly Effective for

  • Heart disease. Higher intake of potassium from food has been linked to a 13% reduced risk of heart disease when compared with lower intake of potassium from food. But it's not clear if taking potassium supplements by mouth has the same benefit.
  • Stroke. Higher intake of potassium from food has been linked to up to a 20% reduced risk of stroke. But it's not clear if taking potassium supplements by mouth has the same benefit.

There is interest in using potassium for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Potassium is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth in amounts of up to 100 mEq (3900 mg) of total potassium daily. In some people, potassium can cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or intestinal gas.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Potassium is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth in amounts of up to 100 mEq (3900 mg) of total potassium daily. In some people, potassium can cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or intestinal gas.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Potassium is likely safe to consume in amounts typically found in the diet when pregnant or breast-feeding.

Children: Potassium is likely safe in children when consumed in amounts typically found in the diet.

Disorders of the digestive tract that might alter the speed food and supplements pass through the body (GI motility conditions): If you have one of these disorders, do not take potassium supplements. Potassium could build up to dangerous levels in the body.

Kidney disease: Kidneys that don't work well have trouble keeping a balanced amount of potassium in the body. If you have a kidney condition, use potassium supplements only with the advice and ongoing care of a healthcare professional.

Interactions

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Water pills (Potassium-sparing diuretics) interacts with Potassium

    Some "water pills" can increase potassium levels in the body. Taking some "water pills" along with potassium might cause too much potassium in the body. But eating food containing moderate amounts of potassium along with these medications does not seem to increase potassium levels.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) interacts with Potassium

    Some medications for high blood pressure can increase potassium levels. Taking potassium supplements along with some medications for high blood pressure might cause too much potassium in the body. But eating food containing moderate amounts of potassium along with these medications does not seem to increase potassium levels.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)) interacts with Potassium

    Some medications for high blood pressure can increase potassium levels. Taking potassium supplements along with some medications for high blood pressure might cause too much potassium in the body. But eating food containing moderate amounts of potassium along with these medications does not seem to increase potassium levels.

Dosing

Potassium is found in many foods, including fruits, cereals, beans, milk, and vegetables. It's recommended that adult females consume 2.6 grams daily, and adult males consume 3.4 grams daily to maintain adequate nutrition. When pregnant, 2.9 grams should be consumed daily, and when breastfeeding, 2.8 grams should be consumed daily. Recommended amounts for children depend on age. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
View References

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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