NutriStack
Benazepril and Potassium, a caution.
Benazepril blocks angiotensin II formation, which lowers aldosterone and reduces renal potassium excretion. Adding a potassium supplement on top of this can push serum potassium into hyperkalemic territory, risking muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and in severe cases cardiac arrest. Risk is highest in patients with kidney disease, diabetes, or those also taking NSAIDs, potassium-sparing diuretics, or trimethoprim.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Benazepril and Potassium
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Strong
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Strong evidence
Caution
What is happening. Benazepril blocks angiotensin II formation, which lowers aldosterone and reduces renal potassium excretion. Adding a potassium supplement on top of this can push serum potassium into hyperkalemic territory, risking muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and in severe cases cardiac arrest. Risk is highest in patients with kidney disease, diabetes, or those also taking NSAIDs, potassium-sparing diuretics, or trimethoprim.
Mechanism. ACE inhibition reduces angiotensin II-driven aldosterone secretion at the adrenal zona glomerulosa, decreasing potassium excretion at the cortical collecting duct. Exogenous potassium then accumulates because renal handling is impaired.
Recommendation. Do not take potassium supplements with benazepril unless your prescriber has confirmed a deficiency and ordered them. If both are required, have potassium levels checked within 1-2 weeks of starting and then periodically. Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes as well.
Sources (2)
- Reardon LC, Macpherson DS. Hyperkalemia in outpatients using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. How much should we worry? Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(1):26-32. PMID 9437375
- Mann JF, Yi QL, Sleight P, Dagenais GR, Gerstein HC, Lonn EM, Bosch J; HOPE Investigators. Serum potassium, cardiovascular risk, and effects of an ACE inhibitor: results of the HOPE study. Clin Nephrol. 2005;63(3):181-7. PMID 15786818
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Benazepril and Potassium are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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