Hyperkalemia

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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Hyperkalemia is a high level of potassium in your blood. Potassium helps control how your muscles, heart, and digestive system work.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Medicines will be given to remove potassium from your body. This will lower your potassium levels. This medicine may be given as a pill or an enema.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Limit the amount of potassium you eat:

Foods that are high in potassium include bananas, tomatoes, oranges, turkey, and milk. Orange juice, citrus juices, and tomato juice are also high in potassium. Do not use salt substitutes. You may need to meet with a dietitian to help plan the best meals for you.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• calcium gluconate
• Lokelma
• Veltassa
• Kalexate
• Kionex

View more treatment options

Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• You have nausea or are vomiting.
• You have numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.
• Your symptoms do not go away or they get worse.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have an irregular heartbeat.
• You have trouble controlling your muscles.
• You are too tired or weak to stand up.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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