Caffeine and Hypokalemia
Authors: A P Passmore, G B Kondowe, G D Johnston
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Letters and Corrections1 September 1986Caffeine and HypokalemiaA. P. PASSMORE, G. B. KONDOWE, G. D. JOHNSTONA. P. PASSMORESearch for more papers by this author, G. B. KONDOWESearch for more papers by this author, G. D. JOHNSTONSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-105-3-468_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: In the January issue, Zantvoort and colleagues (1) described a significant decrease in the serum potassium concentration at therapeutic levels of theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine). Hypokalemia is a prominent feature of theophylline overdosage (2). Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) has several similar pharmacologic properties to theophylline and is extensively used worldwide. We have observed that caffeine ingestion (180 and 360 mg) can cause significant hypokalemia.According to a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, eight healthy male volunteers each received placebo or caffeine (45, 90, 180, or 360 mg) on five occasions at least 7 days apart. For a 5-day period before each study...References1. ZANTVOORT F, DERKX F, BOOMSMA F, Roos P, and SCHALEKAMP M. Theophylline and serum electrolytes [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 1986;104:134-5. LinkGoogle Scholar2. HALL K, DOBSON K, DALTON J, GHIGNONE M, and PENNER S. Metabolic abnormalities associated with intentional theophylline overdosage. Ann Intern Med. 1984;101:457-62. LinkGoogle Scholar3. GREDEN J. Coffee, tea and you. The Sciences. 1979;19:6-11. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. GILBERT R, MARSHMAN J, SCHWIEDER M, and BERG R. Caffeine content of beverages as consumed. Can Med Assoc J. 1976;114:205-8. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. ADDIS G, WHITE K, and REID J. The effects of steady state oral theophylline on catecholamine kinetics and adrenaline induced hypokalaemia. In: TURNER WARICK M, LEVY J, eds. New Prespectives in Theophylline Therapy. London: Royal Society of Medicine. (International Congress and Symposium Series, no. 78). Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: A. P. PASSMORE; G. B. KONDOWE; G. D. JOHNSTON PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byCaffeine-induced hypokalemia: a case reportUne hypokaliémie symptomatique induite par une consommation excessive de Coca-Cola zéro®Consider Going Decaf: An Intentional Caffeine Overdose in the Emergency DepartmentHigh intake of orange juice and cola differently affects metabolic risk in healthy subjectsBlood potassium and urine aldosterone after doxapram therapy for preterm infantsThe clinical toxicology of caffeine: A review and case studyDoxapram and hypokalaemia in very preterm infants: Table 1Potassium and the DyskalemiasCola-Induced Hypokalemia-a Case Report and Review of the LiteratureRisk of caffeine toxicity associated with the use of ‘legal highs’ (novel psychoactive substances)Cola-induced hypokalaemia: pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implicationsCola-induced hypokalaemia: a super-sized problemLife-threatening hypokalaemia and lactate accumulation after autointoxication with Stacker 2 ® , a ‘powerful slimming agent’Disorders of potassium homeostasisAnother call from anesthesia complaining about a low potassium: are they right to be concerned?HypokalemiaDisorders of Potassium MetabolismDisorders of Potassium MetabolismDisorders of Potassium HomeostasisCentral nervous system stimulants and anorectic agentsCigarettes and caffeine in drug interactions 1 September 1986Volume 105, Issue 3Page: 468-468KeywordsAttentionCaffeineIngestionPotassium ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 September 1986 PDF downloadLoading ...