Skip to content

Drug interactions

Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan + Potassium citrate / citric acid

Severity: Moderate

Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan and Potassium citrate / citric acid: moderate 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

Olmesartan reduces aldosterone-mediated potassium excretion, and added potassium can cause hyperkalemia, particularly in renal impairment or diabetes. Hydrochlorothiazide partly offsets this by increasing potassium loss, but the risk persists.

What this interaction means in plain words

Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan and Potassium citrate / citric acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Angiotensin receptor blockade reduces renal potassium excretion, adding to the potassium load.

What to do

Check serum potassium and renal function at baseline and periodically. Reduce or stop the potassium supplement if potassium rises.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan and Potassium citrate / citric acid, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan with Potassium citrate / citric acid?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan and Potassium citrate / citric acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Olmesartan reduces aldosterone-mediated potassium excretion, and added potassium can cause hyperkalemia, particularly in renal impairment or diabetes. Hydrochlorothiazide partly offsets this by increasing potassium loss, but the risk persists.

How serious is the interaction between Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan and Potassium citrate / citric acid?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check serum potassium and renal function at baseline and periodically. Reduce or stop the potassium supplement if potassium rises.

What other medicines interact with Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan with, for example, Aliskiren, Dofetilide, Sparsentan. The full list is on the Hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in