Basic Information
ID DDInter1565 and DDInter1707
Interaction Concomitant use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and potassium-sparing diuretics may increase the risk of hyperkalemia. Inhibition of ACE results in decreased aldosterone secretion, which can lead to increases in serum potassium that may be additive with that induced by potassium-sparing diuretics. ACE inhibitors may also cause deterioration of renal function in patients with chronic heart failure, and the risk is increased if they are sodium-depleted or dehydrated after excessive diuresis.
Management Caution is advised if ACE inhibitors are used with potassium-sparing diuretics, particularly in patients with renal impairment, diabetes, old age, worsening heart failure, and/or a risk for dehydration. Serum potassium and renal function should be checked regularly, and potassium supplementation should generally be avoided unless it is closely monitored. Patients should be given dietary counseling and advised to seek medical attention if they experience signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia such as weakness, listlessness, confusion, tingling of the extremities, and irregular heartbeat.
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Arch Intern Med 144 (1984): 2371-2 [15] Jarman PR, Kehely AM, Mather HM "Hyperkalaemia in diabetes: prevalence and associations." Postgrad Med J 71 (1995): 551-2 [16] Lakhani M "Complete heart block induced by hyperkalaemia associated with treatment with a combination of captopril and spironolactone." Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 293 (1986): 271 [17] Svensson M, Gustafsson F, Galatius S, Hildebrandt PR, Atar D "Hyperkalaemia and impaired renal function in patients taking spironolactone for congestive heart failure: retrospective study." BMJ 327 (2003): 1141-2 [18] McNay JL, Oran E "Possible predisposition of diabetic patients to hyperkalemia following administration of potassium-retaining diuretic, amiloride (MK 870)." Metabolism 19 (1970): 58-70 [19] Cruz CS, Cruz AA, Marcilio de Souza CA "Hyperkalaemia in congestive heart failure patients using ACE inhibitors and spironolactone." Nephrol Dial Transplant 18 (2003): 1814-7 [20] Berry C, McMurray J "Life-threatening hyperkalemia during combined therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and spironolactone." Am J Med 111 (2001): 587 [21] Obialo CI, Ofili EO, Mirza T "Hyperkalemia in congestive heart failure patients aged 63 to 85 years with subclinical renal disease." Am J Cardiol 90 (2002): 663-5 [22] McMurray JJ, O'Meara E "Treatment of heart failure with spironolactone--trial and tribulations." N Engl J Med 351 (2004): 526-8 [23] Schepkens H, Vanholder R, Billiouw JM, Lameire N "Life-threatening hyperkalemia during combined therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and spironolactone: an analysis of 25 cases." 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JAMA 289 (2003): 1652-8 [42] Ray K, Dorman S, Watson R "Severe hyperkalaemia due to the concomitant use of salt substitutes and ACE inhibitors in hypertension: a potentially life threatening interaction." J Hum Hypertens 13 (1999): 717-20 [43] "Product Information. Vasotec (enalapril)." Merck & Co, Inc, West Point, PA. [44] Good CB, McDermott L "Diet and serum potassium in patients on ACE inhibitors." JAMA 274 (1995): 538
Alternative for Ramipril C09B

C10B

C09A
Alternative for Spironolactone -
Potential Metabolism Interactions
Substrate-Substrate Interaction:If more than one drug is metabolized by the same CYP, it is possible that its metabolism is inhibited because of the competition between the drugs. That means, it can be useful to lower the dosage of the drugs in the drug-cocktail because they remain longer in the organism than in monotherapy.
Inhibitor-Inhibitor Interaction:Combining two or more inhibitors of one CYP, should be compensated by lowering the dosage of these drugs because the metabolism is reduced and the drugs remain longer in the organism than in monotherapy. Not adapting the dosage bears the risk of even more side effects.
Inhibitor-Substrate Interaction:Combining drugs that have inhibitory effect and are substrates of one particular CYP, should be compensated by lowering the dosage. They rest longer in the organism than in monotherapy. Not adapting the dosage bears the risk of even more side effects.