Expert: William B. Jeffries, Ph.D. - 6/4/2004

Question
Hi Dr.

It's me again. If someone is taking Lisinopril(10 mg), does he need to follow a low potassium diet?

Thanks

Answer
A low potassium diet is not generally necessary.  Lisinopril causes a reduction in the amount of the hormone aldosterone that is released by the adrenal gland.  This causes the body to retain more potassium.  Typically, persons on a normal diet taking this drug do not see much change in their blood potassium levels.  A high potassium diet may make blood potassium rise.  Depending on the situation (such as the patient's condiditon or other drugs that the patient is taking), a physician may elect to measure blood potassium in patients taking ACE inhibitors to ensure it is in the normal range.