PIPER BP (potassium 700 mg + magnesium 100 mg): Information for Healthcare Providers
ACC/AHA BLOOD PRESSURE GUIDELINES RECOMMEND POTASSIUM
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommend potassium supplementation in their 2017 Clinical Practice Blood Pressure Guidelines (1) (Class IA recommendation)#. Other Class IA non-pharmacological interventions include weight loss, DASH diet, sodium reduction, increased physical activity and reduced alcohol intake.
The Clinical Practice Guidelines establish a target potassium intake of 3500-5000 mg/day, preferably through a diet rich in potassium. These Guidelines also reference contraindications to potassium supplementation including the presence of chronic kidney disease or use of drugs that reduce potassium excretion.
In addition, the US FDA has allowed the following claim language for potassium-containing foods: Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.**
ABOUT PIPER BP HEALTHY BLOOD PRESSURE**
PIPER BP is a drink mix containing 700 mg potassium (as potassium citrate) and 100 mg magnesium (as magnesium citrate) per serving. In comparison, a potato, a cup of carrot juice, 1.5 medium bananas, and 10 ounces of plain yogurt each contain ~700 mg of potassium. Clinicians should be aware that many non-prescription potassium supplements do not exceed 99 mg of potassium, making it harder for patients to achieve the target potassium intake recommended by ACC/AHA.
DOSING
Healthy adults, add the contents of 1 stick pack to 12 ounces of cold water and mix thoroughly before drinking. Take once daily with food. Do not take on an empty stomach.
CAUTION
Not for use by children or pregnant or nursing women. Patients should consult a qualified physician prior to using this product if they have a diagnosed medical condition or are taking prescription medications, including blood pressure medications. Patients should not use if they have kidney disease or hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). This product is not a replacement for physician-prescribed blood pressure medication.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
According to the NIH (Office of Dietary Supplements), several types of medications have the potential to interact with potassium and/or magnesium supplementation. Patients taking these and other medications should discuss their potassium and magnesium intake and status with their healthcare providers.
The NIH highlights three classes of blood pressure medications that are known to reduce urinary potassium excretion, which can lead to hyperkalemia:
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Potassium-sparing diuretics
REFERENCES
1. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines
# These associations recommend potassium supplementation; they have not specifically recommended this product
**According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke