Amiloride was used as a potassium conserving agent in 24 cardiac patients requiring large doses offrusemide, and the changes in plasma and total exchangeable potassium were studied over a 6-month period. Plasma potassium rose (+0 4I mEqll.; P< o.oI) and this rise was sustained throughout. Four patients had persistent hypo- kalaemia, but hyperkalaemia was not found. The total exchangeable potassium initially rose (+ 320 mEq; P< 0.02) over the first 3 months but fell in the last 3 months (-I98 mEq; P< o.oi) so that at 6 months no overall change had occurred. Amiloride is thus suitable for use with frusemide as an antikaliuretic agent, pro- vided adequate dietary intake of potassium is ensured.
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Davidson et al. (1973) studied this question.