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View Full Version : Vets,Question on potassium intake with Lasix



shokjosh456
06-08-2002, 07:17 PM
Ok, I need a question answered if possible. I know that to low or to high of potassium can lead to cardiac arrest...so my question is...I have potassium tabs that are standerized to 99mg's of actual potassium.What would be the proper dosage of potassium intake a day while taking lasix? I take 60mgs of lasix in the morning and 40mg's in the afternoon.I do this only for 2 to 3 days max then I stop...what Im trying to do is eliminate the crampimg I get without over doing the potassium....anybody have an idea??

:confused:

rico*
06-08-2002, 08:21 PM
I'll bump it for you.

BStrongBwell*
06-08-2002, 08:23 PM
Lasix is a potassium sparing diuretic, so I don't think any additional potassium should be necessary unless you were drinking over 2gal H2O a day plus sweating out 2-a-day workouts w/heavy cardio or something. Since some diuretics basically trick your body into sparing potassium and flushing water with sodium, so taking any kind of concentrated potassium can overload your body's ability to keep levels within tolerance. Like you said, that can be pretty dangerous and can cause cardiac arrest.

shokjosh456
06-10-2002, 07:10 PM
bumpppp

DecaDent*
06-10-2002, 07:33 PM
Originally posted by BStrongBwell*
Lasix is a potassium sparing diuretic, so I don't think any additional potassium should be necessary unless you were drinking over 2gal H2O a day plus sweating out 2-a-day workouts w/heavy cardio or something. Since some diuretics basically trick your body into sparing potassium and flushing water with sodium, so taking any kind of concentrated potassium can overload your body's ability to keep levels within tolerance. Like you said, that can be pretty dangerous and can cause cardiac arrest.

BeStrongBeWell,I think your confusing Lasix and Maxzide/Dyazide. Lasix is not Potassium (K+)sparing. It's a potent loop diuretic. The K+ loss is worsened by increasing sodium in the diet,so watch your salt intake.
As far as dosing,I'm used to measuring K+ in milliequivalents(mEq). I'm not sure what you mean by 99mg.

If your talking mEq's the dose is 20mEq at a time and total daily doses range from 40mEq to 100mEq/D. You can also supplement with K+ rich foods...OJ,banana,raisens are some good ones.

Just check real close on your label and see if there is a strength listed in mEq's because it's NOT the same as mg's.

shokjosh456
06-10-2002, 10:05 PM
well,i think my question was answered on fitness101...heres what he said....if anyone has any other input,feel free to do so.

pharmguy24
T-Advisor

Joined: Jan 09, 2002
Posts: 425
From: IL
Posted: 2002-06-08 13:28
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Well, potassium levels are highly variable between people on the same amount of Lasix. But usually people take between 10mEq and 20mEq of potassium on 20-40mg per day of Lasix.
So, for 10mEq of potassium, it would be:
2300mg of potassium gluconate per day or
750mg of potassium chloride
99mg of potassium (itself as an ion) would be about 2.5mEq of potassium.
However, the only true way to know is to get potassium levels checked and they should be about 3.5-5 mEq/L.
Also, here's the catch. It's hella lot harder to drop below 3 mEq/L in the blood (this represents about a 200-400mEq total body potassium deficit) than it is to get to 6-7mEq/L (the point where your heart starts to go into arrhythmia at about a 100mEq total body potassium excess).
There's the medical information. However, I have no personal 3-5day dosings of Lasix so we can see what others do.
Of course, this doesn't replace the advice of any health care provider.
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Pharmguy24 does not endorse or encourage the use of any medication including AS without proper prescription. All info is for entertainment only and should not be construed as medical advice.

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shokjosh456
T-Advisor

Joined: Jun 09, 2001
Posts: 2340
From: TEXAS
Posted: 2002-06-08 14:29
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so that would be approximately 800mg to 1000mg's of potassium per 20mg' to 40mg's of lasix?? The bottle I have says potassium Gluconate 595mg's and provides 99mg's of elemental potassium??Your talking pharmicutical jiberish to me

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shokjosh456
T-Advisor

Joined: Jun 09, 2001
Posts: 2340
From: TEXAS
Posted: 2002-06-08 14:38
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Disclaimer: shokjosh IS presenting real opinions and in every way, shape or form encourages use,AND DOES condone the use of any illegal substance such as anabolic steroids

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shokjosh456
T-Advisor

Joined: Jun 09, 2001
Posts: 2340
From: TEXAS
Posted: 2002-06-08 18:17
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"lightining never strikes the same place twice....unless its Shokjosh"
Disclaimer: shokjosh IS presenting real opinions and in every way, shape or form encourages use,AND DOES condone the use of any illegal substance such as anabolic steroids

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oddball
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Joined: Nov 23, 2001
Posts: 291
From: pa
Posted: 2002-06-08 18:21
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pharmguy24
T-Advisor

Joined: Jan 09, 2002
Posts: 425
From: IL
Posted: 2002-06-08 18:52
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Quote:
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On 2002-06-08 14:29, shokjosh456 wrote:
so that would be approximately 800mg to 1000mg's of potassium per 20mg' to 40mg's of lasix?? The bottle I have says potassium Gluconate 595mg's and provides 99mg's of elemental potassium??Your talking pharmicutical jiberish to me


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Yeah so about 4 of those Potass. Gluconates would equal about 10mEq which is what most people take while they're on Lasix ED for congestive heart failure.
The average person takes 1mEq for every 2mg of Lasix on an ED basis. However, for the short term, I dunno.
Like I said it's real variable. So, if youre gonna take em, probably 1-2 would be sufficient as long as you're not taking lasix ED for more than a few days. Otherwise, 4 a day. Of course, my experience is people limited to taking it ED. And it's hard to say without any lab work and I'm just plain out not sure for just a few days of Lasix. So, I'd wait for suggestions from others. Sorry.

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