CORTICOSTEROIDS AND DIURETICS

Loop diuretics such as furosemide, and thiazide diuretics, such as bendroflumethia- zide, can cause hypokalaemia. This can be increased by other potassium-depleting drugs such as the corticosteroids. In severe cases the risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias could be increased. The synthetic corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) have a less marked potassium-depleting effect and are therefore less likely to cause problems. These include betamethasone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone and triamcino- lone.
Consider monitoring potassium levels, based on the severity of the patient's condition, the number of potassium-depleting drugs used, and any predisposing disease states.