The treatment will depend on the cause.
Indications for initiating therapy:
| Absolute |
Digoxin therapy Therapy for diabetic acidosis, because of the effect of insulin Presence of symptoms eg. respiratory muscle weakness Severe hypokalaemia (< 2 mmol/l) |
| Strong |
Myocardial disease Anticipated hepatic encephalopathy Anticipated increase in another factor that causes a shift of potassium intracellularly eg. salbutamol |
| Modest |
Development of glucose
intolerance Mild hypokalaemia Need for better antihypertensive control |