How Potassium-rich foods and salt substitutes with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or potassium-sparing diuretics Affects Your Medications
Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes and don't dramatically increase high-potassium foods without asking your provider, who may check your potassium level.
This interaction is generally considered moderate in severity.
How It Happens
These medicines raise blood potassium. Adding a lot of dietary potassium or potassium-based salt substitutes can push potassium too high (hyperkalemia), which can affect the heart.
What to Do
Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes and don't dramatically increase high-potassium foods without asking your provider, who may check your potassium level.
Medication Classes Affected
Specific Medications to Watch
ACE inhibitor
ACE inhibitor
ACE inhibitor
ACE inhibitor
Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
Potassium-sparing diuretic
Sources
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.