DEAR PEOPLE’S PHARMACY: My mother was prescribed HCTZ for high blood pressure. Her potassium and sodium levels had not been tested in three years, although she saw her doctor for yearly checkups. She ended up in the hospital for three days due to incredibly low sodium levels.
At the time, the area was in a heat wave with very high temperatures and humidity. She was sweating and drinking water to stay hydrated. All of this worked together to cause the dangerously low sodium and potassium levels.
Her hands were beginning to shake. We were lucky she didn’t have a seizure or die. The hospital doctors took her off HCTZ.
A. Potassium and sodium are critical minerals. The body tries hard to keep both in balance, but some medications can interfere with that outcome.
If sodium levels drop below 135 mEq/L, people may develop serious symptoms, including confusion, muscle cramps, weakness, loss of appetite and nausea. When potassium levels fall below 3.5 mEq/L people may develop similar symptoms. These can include muscle cramps, confusion, fatigue, weakness and irregular heart rhythms.
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) can deplete the body of both sodium and potassium. You can learn more about the effects of various antihypertensive medicines in our “eGuide to Blood Pressure Solutions.” This online resource is located under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
Drinking a lot of water in hot weather may contribute to both low sodium and low potassium, especially if there is a diuretic on board. Electrolyte-containing beverages might be safer at this time of year.
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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”
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