[posted 11/7/1999]
Question: I take ziac for high blood pressure, and the following other prescription drugs for rheumatoid and osteoarthritis: methotrexate, plaquenil, prempro, prednisone, and prozac for depression. Every 6 weeks I get bloodwork done because of the methotrexate. The last few labs have shown a low potassium level. My rheumatoligist suggested that I might need a potassium supplement, but would not prescribe one, as he is not the MD who prescribed the ziac (a diuretic?) Can a potassium supplement be purchased in a health food store, and is it safe to take with all the other drugs I'm already taking?

Answer: It cannot be bought without a prescription. But, increasing the vegtables in your diet would usually work. Try taking fruit juice a couple of glasses a day and recheck it in two weeks. If still low, you need a proscribed supplement.

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