Drug interactions
Benazepril + Potassium citrate
Severity: Major
Benazepril and Potassium citrate: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
ACE inhibitors reduce aldosterone and renal potassium loss, so adding potassium citrate can produce hyperkalemia that may be severe. Patients with kidney disease, diabetes or heart failure are at highest risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Benazepril and Potassium citrate can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Benazepril belongs to Cardiovascular; Potassium citrate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
ACE inhibition lowers aldosterone-mediated potassium excretion, while potassium citrate supplies additional potassium.
What to do
Check serum potassium and creatinine before and soon after starting, then regularly. Reduce or stop potassium citrate if potassium rises, and avoid in patients with renal impairment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Potassium citrate
Other interactions of Benazepril
- Aliskiren + Benazepril Contraindicated
- Benazepril + Sacubitril / valsartan Contraindicated
- Benazepril + Sacubitril-valsartan Contraindicated
- Amifostine + Benazepril Major
- Amiloride + Benazepril Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Benazepril Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Benazepril with Potassium citrate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Benazepril and Potassium citrate can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. ACE inhibitors reduce aldosterone and renal potassium loss, so adding potassium citrate can produce hyperkalemia that may be severe. Patients with kidney disease, diabetes or heart failure are at highest risk.
How serious is the interaction between Benazepril and Potassium citrate?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check serum potassium and creatinine before and soon after starting, then regularly. Reduce or stop potassium citrate if potassium rises, and avoid in patients with renal impairment.
What other medicines interact with Potassium citrate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Potassium citrate with, for example, Triamterene, Amiloride, Amlodipine-benazepril. The full list is on the Potassium citrate page.
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