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Prednisone and potassium. Prednisone
Oral corticosteroids reduce absorption of calcium and interfere with the activation and metabolism of the vitamin, increasing the risk of bone loss. Doctors can measure levels of activated vitamin D called 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol to determine whether a deficiency exists; if so, activated vitamin D is only available by prescription.
A study of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with low amounts of prednisone found that those who received 1, mg of calcium per day plus IU of vitamin D per day for two years experienced no bone loss during that time period. An analysis of properly conducted trials concluded that supplementation with vitamin D and calcium was more effective than placebo or calcium alone in protecting against corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.
Most doctors recommend 1, mg of calcium and — IU vitamin D per day for the prevention of osteoporosis. Preliminary data suggest that corticosteroid treatment increases chromium loss.
Double-blind trials are needed to confirm these observations. A controlled trial found that a single dose of the synthetic corticosteroid dexamethasone suppressed production of melatonin in nine of 11 healthy volunteers. Further research is needed to determine if long-term use of corticosteroids interferes in a meaningful way with melatonin production, and whether supplemental melatonin would be advisable for people taking corticosteroids.
Oral corticosteroids increase the urinary loss of potassium. This may not cause a significant problem for most people. Individuals who wish to increase potassium intake should eat more fruits, vegetables, and juices rather than taking over-the-counter potassium supplements, which do not contain significant amounts of potassium.
Oral corticosteroids have been found to increase urinary loss of vitamin Kvitamin Cseleniumand zinc. The importance of these losses is unknown. Corticosteroids may increase the loss of vitamin B6. One double-blind study of people with asthma failed to show any added benefit from taking mg per day of vitamin B6 along with inhaled steroids. Therefore, while small amounts of vitamin B6 may be needed to prevent deficiency, large amounts may not provide added benefit.
Some doctors recommend that people taking corticosteroids for longer than two weeks supplement with at least 2 mg of vitamin B6 per day. Propoxyphene may cause gastrointestinal GI upset. Propoxyphene-containing products may be taken with food to reduce or prevent GI upset. A common side effect of narcotic analgesics is constipation. Increasing dietary fiber especially vegetables and whole-grain foods and water intake can ease constipation. Preliminary data suggest that supplementation with chromium mcg per day in the form of chromium picolinate may prevent corticosteroid-induced diabetes.
According to preliminary human studies, horny goat weed offset some of the side effects of corticosteroids. One preliminary study found that in people with fibrosing alveolitis a rare lung diseasesupplementation with mg N-acetyl cysteine three times per day increased the effectiveness of prednisone therapy.
Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was shown to decrease the elimination of prednisone in test tube studies.
If this action happens in people, it might prolong prednisone activity and possibly increase prednisone-related side effects. A small, controlled study found that intravenous iv glycyrrhizin an active constituent in licorice given with iv prednisolone prolonged prednisolone action in healthy men.
Whether this effect would occur with oral corticosteroids and licorice supplements is unknown. An animal study has shown that glycyrrhizin prevents the immune-suppressing actions of cortisone—the natural corticosteroid hormone produced by the body.
More research is necessary to determine if this action is significant in humans taking oral corticosteroids. Until more is known, people should not take licorice with corticosteroids without first consulting a doctor. Use of buckthorn Rhamnus catartica, Rhamnus frangula, Frangula alnus or alder buckthorn Rhamnus catarticaRhamnus frangulafor more than ten days consecutively may cause a loss of electrolytes especially the mineral potassium.
Because corticosteroids also cause potassium loss, buckthorn or alder buckthorn should be used with caution if corticosteroids are being taken. Taking the oral corticosteroid methylprednisolone with grapefruit juice has been shown to delay the absorption and increase the blood concentration of the drug.
The mechanism by which grapefruit juice increases the concentration of methylpredniolone in the blood is not known, but it is suspected that it may interfere with enzymes in the liver responsible for clearing the drug from the body. In certain people, grapefruit juice may, therefore, enhance the effects of methylprednisolone. The combination should be avoided unless approved by the prescribing doctor.
Some doctors recommend that people taking corticosteroids for more than two weeks supplement with — mg of magnesium per day. Magnesium has also been reported to interfere with the absorption of dexamethasone. Pomegranate juice has been shown to inhibit the same enzyme that is inhibited by grapefruit juice. The degree of inhibition is about the same for each of these juices. Therefore, it would be reasonable to expect that pomegranate juice might interact with oral corticosteroids in the same way that grapefruit juice does.
Oral corticosteroids cause both sodium and water retention. People taking corticosteroids should talk with their doctor about whether they should restrict salt intake.
In some people, treatment with corticosteroids can impair wound healing. In one study, topical or internal vitamin A improved wound healing in eight of ten patients on corticosteroid therapy. In theory, vitamin A might also reverse some of the beneficial effects of corticosteroids, but this idea has not been investigated and no reports exist of such an interaction in people taking both vitamin A and corticosteroids.
People using oral corticosteroids should consult with a doctor to determine whether improved wound healing might outweigh the theoretical risk associated with concomitant vitamin A use. Although blood levels of vitamin A appear to increase during dexamethasone therapy—most likely due to mobilization of the vitamin from its stores in the liver—evidence from animal studies has also indicated that corticosteroids can deplete vitamin A from tissues.
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All rights reserved. What Are Nutrient Interactions. Types of interactions: Beneficial Adverse Check. Replenish Depleted Nutrients Calcium Oral corticosteroids reduce absorption of calcium and interfere with the activation and metabolism of the vitamin, increasing the risk of bone loss.
Reduce Side Effects Oral corticosteroids reduce absorption of calcium and interfere with the activation and metabolism of the vitamin, increasing the risk of bone loss. Support Medicine Horny Goat Weed According to preliminary human studies, horny goat weed offset some of the side effects of corticosteroids. Reduces Effectiveness none.
Potential Negative Interaction none. Explanation Required Licorice Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was shown to decrease the elimination of prednisone in test tube studies. The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction.
Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
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❾-50%}Prednisone and potassium. Potassium supplements in patients treated with corticosteroids
Eating more servings of fruits and vegetables can help provide a greater drop in the cholesterol count because these foods are a good source of soluble fiber. The specific foods that are particularly high in soluble fiber are apples, citrus fruit, berries, carrots, apricots, prunes, cabbage, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
All of the beans or legumes also provide soluble fiber. Foods with Omega-3 fatty acids — salmon, sardines, tuna can work wonders in raising HDL levels. In some recent studies ingredients known as stanol esters and plant sterols that block the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines, have shown to be effective in reducing cholesterol as well.
Some foods with sterols are beans, seeds, and cereals — oats and bran especially. Soy products as well have sterols and traces can be found in fruits and vegetables. There are currently several butter substitute products out that contain sterols and research has shown some indication that these products help also in lowering cholesterol.
Lecithin might be helpful in lowering cholesterol as well, Lecithin is a fatlike substance reduced by every the liver and found in varying quantities in body cells and organs. Lecithin helps to emulsify fats and contains the B vitamin choline, from which the body manufactures one of several nerve transmitters.
Lecithin metabolizes fat in the liver. In the bloodstream, lecithin prevents fats from accumulating on the walls of arteries. In the intestinal tract, lecithin enhances t he absorption of vitamins A, D, and possibly E and K. Vitamin E is needed for normal body metabolism.
It helps in the protection and healing of body tissues and skin. Eating foods with Vitamin E can possibly help your skin. Foods that are good sources of Vitamin E are vegetable oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables. Fortified cereals are also a good source.
Keep the body hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Keep the skin moist with lotions. As we age the skin the skin repairs itself more slowly. One of the leading problems with steroid use is steroid-induced diabetes. The pancreas produces insulin. Insulin helps the body burn sugar for energy. Sugar is fuel for your cells. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood and delivers it into the cells.
When blood sugar goes up the cells may be starved for energy. However, prednisone and other steroid medications may interact with different drugs to affect potassium levels. For example, corticosteroids are more likely to contribute to hypokalemia if prescribed with certain diuretics like acetazolamide, according to the Prescribers' Digital Reference.
If you're concerned about your potassium levels, check with your doctor, who can take a blood sample and send it to the lab for testing.
This is the only way to know for sure what your potassium levels are. Mild hypokalemia often has no symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic , although severe hypokalemia may cause muscle weakness or cramps, an irregular heartbeat, thirst and confusion.
Prednisone does have other side effects, some of which can be serious enough that your doctor may not want you to take the medication for long periods of time. Many people on the drug gain weight, because prednisone makes you retain fluid and can also make you really hungry.
Prednisone can also deplete other nutrients, like calcium and vitamins C and D, according to National Jewish Health. Corticosteroids may increase the loss of vitamin B6. One double-blind study of people with asthma failed to show any added benefit from taking mg per day of vitamin B6 along with inhaled steroids. Therefore, while small amounts of vitamin B6 may be needed to prevent deficiency, large amounts may not provide added benefit.
Some doctors recommend that people taking corticosteroids for longer than two weeks supplement with at least 2 mg of vitamin B6 per day. Propoxyphene may cause gastrointestinal GI upset. Propoxyphene-containing products may be taken with food to reduce or prevent GI upset. A common side effect of narcotic analgesics is constipation.
Increasing dietary fiber especially vegetables and whole-grain foods and water intake can ease constipation. Preliminary data suggest that supplementation with chromium mcg per day in the form of chromium picolinate may prevent corticosteroid-induced diabetes. According to preliminary human studies, horny goat weed offset some of the side effects of corticosteroids. One preliminary study found that in people with fibrosing alveolitis a rare lung disease , supplementation with mg N-acetyl cysteine three times per day increased the effectiveness of prednisone therapy.
Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was shown to decrease the elimination of prednisone in test tube studies. If this action happens in people, it might prolong prednisone activity and possibly increase prednisone-related side effects.
A small, controlled study found that intravenous iv glycyrrhizin an active constituent in licorice given with iv prednisolone prolonged prednisolone action in healthy men. Whether this effect would occur with oral corticosteroids and licorice supplements is unknown.
An animal study has shown that glycyrrhizin prevents the immune-suppressing actions of cortisone—the natural corticosteroid hormone produced by the body. More research is necessary to determine if this action is significant in humans taking oral corticosteroids.
Until more is known, people should not take licorice with corticosteroids without first consulting a doctor. Use of buckthorn Rhamnus catartica, Rhamnus frangula, Frangula alnus or alder buckthorn Rhamnus catartica , Rhamnus frangula , for more than ten days consecutively may cause a loss of electrolytes especially the mineral potassium. Because corticosteroids also cause potassium loss, buckthorn or alder buckthorn should be used with caution if corticosteroids are being taken.
Magnesium may also help with keeping healthy blood sugar levels. When a person takes doses over 2. The HPA axis helps control zinc levels, so when someone takes prednisone, zinc levels can fall. Prednisone interferes with the normal balance of electrolytes sodium, potassium, and other salts in the body, causing too much potassium to be removed in the urine.
High blood pressure is another complication and is found 4 times as often in people taking prednisone than not taking prednisone. While on prednisone, limit your sodium intake and try to eat foods high in potassium. MedlinePlus , a publication of the U. National Library of Medicine, stated the following about special dietary instructions for people taking prednisone:. Your doctor may also prescribe or recommend a calcium or potassium supplement.
Prednisone may cause a loss of folic acid, but the mechanism is not clear. According to Clinical Pharmacology , folic acid loss from prednisone may lead to glossitis, which is swelling of the tongue.
Folic acid is important for keeping a good mood and a healthy heart. How prednisone lowers the amount of vitamin A in the blood is unclear. Rarely, prednisone use may cause symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.
Many symptoms of vitamin A deficiency overlap with prednisone side effects, so these may be related:. According to the CDC :. Be careful not to take too much Vitamin A as it can become toxic.
Similar to Vitamin A, taking prednisone can decrease the amount of vitamin C in the blood. Megan created a supplement designed especially for people taking prednisone. Melatonin , the hormone our bodies use for helping regulate our sleep-wake cycle, may be depleted by prednisone, according to new research.
Never stop taking prednisone suddenly, as your body needs time to fix this disruption and start making its own cortisol again. Prednisone also tells the body to hold onto too much sodium, or salt.
The Experts : The American College of Rheumatology , the doctors who prescribe prednisone the most, created a guideline for people taking prednisone.
In order for patients with pemphigus and pemphigoid to get control of their disease, there are certain drugs that patients must take. Prednisone is the first drug of choice for treating these diseases. Prednisone prednisolone is one of the most successfully and one of the most commonly used drug for treating a variety of diseases, but it can have many side effects. As significant as these side effects can be, there are things we can all do nutritionally that might help lower these effects.
The Foundation has published articles in the newsletter on the subject of diet and pemphigus. There are some indications that foods in the Alium group of vegetables onions, garlic and leeks might have an effect on triggering pemphigus for some individuals.
The researchers add in many other foods that might also be thought of as trigger foods. We suggest that you be aware of these possible trigger foods when picking foods for your diet. It is prudent to remember, though, that most of the connections between diet and pemphigus are theoretical. Although many of these side effects can be controlled with medication, there are many good foods that might help reduce the devastating effects of steroids. Potassium is a very important nutrient in maintaining the level of fluid inside a cell.
Steroids can deplete potassium. There is a delicate balance between potassium and sodium in and outside the cell that are critical for heart functions, nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions. Foods high in potassium are: all fruits especially bananas, apricots, prunes, oranges, tomatoes and raisins. Vegetables such as potatoes, artichokes, and spinach as well as squash are also high in potassium. Beans and almonds are good sources as well.
There is some research that indicates that potassium can also help reduce blood pressure. Watch salt intake to reduce blood pressure and reduce fluid retention. Sometimes a person will think that fluid retention is akin to weight gain. Fluid retention can cause weight gain but as steroids are reduced, fluids will usually reduce as well, along with some of the weight gain. Drinking plenty of water and exercising can help with fluid retention.
Weight gain and increase in appetite — Sometimes if you are also taking an immunosuppressive, the appetite might be decreased. Your metabolism is how you burn fat. As you age, your metabolism tends to slow down. Prednisone can have a negative effect on metabolism.
Cravings seem to be heightened so drinking water, eating fruits and vegetables can help. Sometimes fruit or vegetable smoothies can fill us up. Protein in the morning eggs and cheese — flavored soy cheese is good might help with cravings during the day. Keep some almonds around for to snack. Loss of muscle mass — Exercise is very important for keeping muscle mass.
While on prednisone, try to exercise within your own range. Men have a better chance of building up their muscles after the age of 50 than woman do because of testosterone, but exercise can help woman as well. Proteins amino acids are the building blocks of muscles. Protein repairs and builds muscle tissue.
Extra corticosteroids in the body can break down amino acids. These amino acids then go and make glucose in the liver instead of building up muscle mass. Eating extra protein check with the doctor regarding amounts might help build muscles. Foods high in protein are: fish, eggs, meat, milk, cheese, baked-beans, and soy products. Fish is not only a great source of protein, but also a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
A decrease in bone density is extremely common when taking prednisone. Eating extra calcium and taking calcium supplements are very important for anyone taking prednisone. It is known that women and men with thin bones have a higher rate of osteoporosis. It is recommended that everyone get a bone density test when they first start taking prednisone as a baseline for bone density loss. The doctor and nutritionist can advice on the correct amounts of calcium a person should get daily and how much extra someone should take.
Calcium rich foods are: milk, cheese, yogurt, greens, broccoli, sardines, canned salmon with bones, dried beans and peas, calcium-fortified foods such as calcium-fortified orange juice, and tofu. Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium. It is found in fortified milk and cereals. Your body can make its own Vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunshine.
Getting Vitamin D from the sun is very helpful but it is recommended to have limited sun exposure with an autoimmune disease. Remember though, when you go out in sun to wear a hat especially if you have lesions. Another result of taking prednisone for a long time is the increase in cholesterol. Tryglicerides may also be watched as well. Often cholesterol lowering drugs are called for, but often it is possible to change these factors with diet. It is possible to lower cholesterol naturally.
Eating more servings of fruits and vegetables can help provide a greater drop in the cholesterol count because these foods are a good source of soluble fiber. The specific foods that are particularly high in soluble fiber are apples, citrus fruit, berries, carrots, apricots, prunes, cabbage, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. All of the beans or legumes also provide soluble fiber. Foods with Omega-3 fatty acids — salmon, sardines, tuna can work wonders in raising HDL levels.
In some recent studies ingredients known as stanol esters and plant sterols that block the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines, have shown to be effective in reducing cholesterol as well. Some foods with sterols are beans, seeds, and cereals — oats and bran especially.
Soy products as well have sterols and traces can be found in fruits and vegetables. There are currently several butter substitute products out that contain sterols and research has shown some indication that these products help also in lowering cholesterol. Lecithin might be helpful in lowering cholesterol as well, Lecithin is a fatlike substance reduced by every the liver and found in varying quantities in body cells and organs.
Lecithin helps to emulsify fats and contains the B vitamin choline, from which the body manufactures one of several nerve transmitters. Lecithin metabolizes fat in the liver. In the bloodstream, lecithin prevents fats from accumulating on the walls of arteries.
In the intestinal tract, lecithin enhances t he absorption of vitamins A, D, and possibly E and K. Vitamin E is needed for normal body metabolism. It helps in the protection and healing of body tissues and skin. Eating foods with Vitamin E can possibly help your skin. Foods that are good sources of Vitamin E are vegetable oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.
Fortified cereals are also a good source. Keep the body hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Keep the skin moist with lotions.
As we age the skin the skin repairs itself more slowly. One of the leading problems with steroid use is steroid-induced diabetes. The pancreas produces insulin.
Insulin helps the body burn sugar for energy. Sugar is fuel for your cells. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood and delivers it into the cells. When blood sugar goes up the cells may be starved for energy. This can eventually cause problems with the kidneys, nerves, heart and eyes. Corticosteriods interferes with the production of insulin. If the pancreas is working normally, it will increase the insulin produced normally when steroids are added in.
This is steroid-induced diabetes. If this occurs, it is often necessary to take medication that will help the pancreas monitor the blood sugar levels. If the blood sugar levels are borderline with steroids, lowering, dramatically, the intake of carbohydrates can often keep a hold on blood sugar levels.
Ulcers and gastric problems can accompany the use of steroids. The stomach produces a protective mucous layer that helps it defend itself against the acid it produces. Corticosteroids suppress the growth of gastric mucin, cells that produce mucous. This suppression interferes with production of the mucous layer. In addition, corticosteroids inhibit the production of mucous in the cells that remain. Eventually, this leads to a thinning of the protective layer and a greater risk of ulcer.
There are many good medicines used today both over-the-counter and with prescription that have virtually no side effects and can help reduce the problems. Some good suggestions to relieve symptoms of ulcers or gastritis — eat smaller meals. Milk may give some initial relief.
Add protein to your diet. If possible, avoid cafeinated coffee, large amounts of chocolate, citrus and tomato products. Try not to snack at bedtime as this can cause gastric acid secretions during the night.
Preliminary studies are reported on 8 patients with lung disease given prednisone both with and without potassium supplements. 2. Prednisolone may cause low potassium levels (hypokalemia), which may be potentiated by other drugs that also cause hypokalemia (such as. Preliminary studies are reported on 8 patients with lung disease given prednisone both with and without potassium supplements. 2. Corticosteroids, also called glucocorticoids or steroids, are hormones Keywords: Obstructive airway disorders, Potassium, Corticosteroids, Hypokalemia. Oral corticosteroids reduce absorption of calcium and interfere with the activation and Oral corticosteroids increase the urinary loss of potassium. Sometimes fruit or vegetable smoothies can fill us up. Prednisone changes:. One of the leading problems with steroid use is steroid-induced diabetes. These amino acids then go and make glucose in the liver instead of building up muscle mass.Prednisone is a widely prescribed corticosteroid drug. It reduces inflammation and can help relieve symptoms for many different conditions, including arthritis, asthma, severe allergies, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis and even cancer.
If you've been prescribed prednisone and heard that the drug may lower your potassium levels, you may be concerned. Here's what you should know. Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte your body needs to maintain proper nerve and muscle function as well as a regular heartbeat.
The National Institutes of Health suggests adult men get a minimum of 3, milligrams of potassium a day while women get 2, milligrams daily. Most healthy people should be able to get enough potassium by eating a balanced diet that includes potassium-rich foods like orange juice, potatoes, cantaloupe, lima beans, milk and dried apricots and other dried fruits, according to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority.
There are potassium supplements, but consult your doctor before taking them as high potassium levels can be dangerous, per Harvard Health Publishing. Learn how to fill your plate with healthy, nutrient-dense foods by logging your meals on the MyPlate app.
Download now to fine-tune your diet today! There have been occasional mentions in medical literature that prednisone may cause low potassium levels — a condition called hypokalemia — because it prompts your body to secrete potassium through urine.
But the research so far is very limited. But in general, it's not clinically significant. The study appeared in the British Journal of Diseases of the Chest and involved only eight patients, all of whom had lung disease. The authors noted that patients excreted more potassium in their urine at higher doses of prednisone, whether or not they were also taking potassium supplements. The participants didn't have any problems with blood potassium levels or actual health outcomes.
There has been little, if any, research since then. However, prednisone and other steroid medications may interact with different drugs to affect potassium levels.
For example, corticosteroids are more likely to contribute to hypokalemia if prescribed with certain diuretics like acetazolamide, according to the Prescribers' Digital Reference.
If you're concerned about your potassium levels, check with your doctor, who can take a blood sample and send it to the lab for testing. This is the only way to know for sure what your potassium levels are. Mild hypokalemia often has no symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic , although severe hypokalemia may cause muscle weakness or cramps, an irregular heartbeat, thirst and confusion.
Prednisone does have other side effects, some of which can be serious enough that your doctor may not want you to take the medication for long periods of time.
Many people on the drug gain weight, because prednisone makes you retain fluid and can also make you really hungry. Prednisone can also deplete other nutrients, like calcium and vitamins C and D, according to National Jewish Health. And some people get sick more frequently because prednisone suppresses your immune system.
Taking steroids long-term can cause cataracts, osteoporosis and even diabetes, notes the Mayo Clinic. Is this an emergency? Health Drugs and Medications Steroids. Taking prednisone may lower your potassium levels, but this usually isn't serious.
See your doctor if you're concerned about the medication's side effects. Video of the Day. Why Is Potassium Important? Other Prednisone Side Effects to Note.
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