What supplements raise potassium levels?

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

While a true potassium deficiency, known as hypokalemia, is rare, an imbalance where potassium intake is low relative to sodium is common, particularly in the Western diet. For individuals with a diagnosed deficiency, certain supplements can help correct this imbalance, but they should only be used under a doctor's supervision.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the types of supplements that can increase potassium, such as potassium chloride and gluconate, and outlines who might need them. It also details important safety warnings and the risks of taking supplements without medical guidance.

Key Points

Different Supplement Forms: Potassium chloride, gluconate, bicarbonate, and citrate are common supplement forms used to raise potassium levels.
Potassium Chloride is First-Choice: For treating or preventing hypokalemia, potassium chloride is often the most recommended supplement.
OTC vs. Prescription Strength: Over-the-counter potassium supplements are available, whereas prescription versions typically contain a higher amount and require strict medical supervision.
Know the Risks: Taking potassium supplements, especially in high doses or with certain medical conditions like kidney disease, carries the risk of dangerous hyperkalemia (high potassium levels).
Dietary Sources are Safest: For most individuals, increasing potassium intake through diet is the safest way to raise levels. Foods like potatoes, bananas, and lentils are excellent sources.
Medical Guidance is Essential: Never take potassium supplements without consulting a healthcare professional, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or take other medications.

Understanding Potassium and Why You Might Need a Supplement

Potassium is a crucial electrolyte that plays a vital role in nerve function, muscle contraction, and maintaining proper heart rhythm. A deficiency in this mineral, known as hypokalemia, can cause symptoms like muscle weakness, cramps, and abnormal heart rhythms. While most healthy individuals get enough potassium from a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, some factors can lead to low levels. These include certain medications like diuretics, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, and specific medical conditions. In these cases, a healthcare provider might recommend supplementation.

Types of Supplements that Raise Potassium Levels

Several forms of potassium supplements are available, each with a different formulation and primary use. These typically come in oral forms, such as tablets, capsules, or powders, and vary in availability.

Potassium Chloride

Often considered a first-choice treatment for low potassium (hypokalemia), potassium chloride effectively replenishes both potassium and chloride levels, which are often depleted together. OTC supplements are available, while higher-dose prescription versions are available for more significant deficiencies. It is widely available in extended-release tablets, capsules, and liquid forms. Taking it with food can help minimize gastrointestinal side effects.

Potassium Gluconate

This is a salt of potassium that is commonly available over-the-counter. It is often used to prevent mild hypokalemia and is known to be gentler on the stomach than potassium chloride. However, it typically contains less elemental potassium per serving compared to potassium chloride. Like other OTC options, it's available without a prescription.

Potassium Bicarbonate

Available by prescription, potassium bicarbonate is an effervescent tablet that dissolves in water. Beyond raising potassium, it also acts as a urinary alkalizer, making it useful for treating certain conditions, like kidney stones, in addition to hypokalemia.

Potassium Citrate

While it does raise potassium levels, potassium citrate's primary use is to prevent the formation of kidney stones. It works by making the urine less acidic, which is beneficial for people prone to calcium oxalate stones. It is available in both OTC and prescription forms, often as an extended-release tablet.

Herbal and Other Supplements

Some herbal and nutritional supplements may also raise potassium levels, often as a side effect or due to naturally occurring high concentrations.

Herbal Sources: Certain herbs, including dandelion, nettle, and alfalfa, contain potassium. People with kidney disease are generally advised to avoid herbal remedies due to the risk of unwanted mineral elevation.
Salt Substitutes: Many salt substitutes replace sodium chloride with potassium chloride to provide a similar salty flavor without the high sodium content. This can significantly increase potassium intake, and people with kidney issues must use them cautiously.
Coconut Water and Other Products: Some beverages and supplements derived from coconut water can be high in potassium.

Safety Considerations and Side Effects

Taking potassium supplements without medical supervision carries significant risks, especially the danger of developing hyperkalemia (excessively high potassium levels). This is particularly hazardous for individuals with compromised kidney function, as their bodies are less able to excrete excess potassium. Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors and potassium-sparing diuretics, can also raise potassium levels and must be carefully monitored in conjunction with supplementation.

Side effects can include gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to serious cardiac issues, such as irregular heartbeat and, in rare instances, cardiac arrest.

Supplementing with Diet: High-Potassium Foods

For most people, increasing dietary intake of potassium-rich foods is the safest and most effective strategy for raising levels naturally. The following are excellent sources:

Dried fruits like apricots and raisins
Potatoes (especially baked with skin) and sweet potatoes
Lentils and beans (kidney, lima, white, and soybeans)
Acorn squash and spinach
Bananas and oranges
Milk and yogurt
Meats and fish like salmon

By focusing on whole foods, you can ensure a steady and safe increase in potassium without the high risks associated with excessive supplementation.

Comparison of Common Potassium Supplements


Supplement Form	Primary Use	Availability	Key Consideration
Potassium Chloride (OTC)	Treats or prevents mild hypokalemia.	Over-the-Counter.	Lower amount of potassium compared to prescription.
Potassium Chloride (Rx)	Treats moderate to severe hypokalemia.	Prescription only.	High potency, requires close medical monitoring due to hyperkalemia risk.
Potassium Gluconate	Prevents mild potassium deficiency.	Over-the-Counter.	Milder on the stomach, but provides less elemental potassium than chloride form.
Potassium Bicarbonate	Treats hypokalemia and can alkalize urine.	Prescription only (effervescent tablets).	Often used when urinary alkalization is also desired.
Potassium Citrate	Prevents certain types of kidney stones.	Both OTC and Prescription (extended-release tablets).	Also raises potassium, but not its main purpose; used for stone prevention.

Conclusion

Several supplements, including potassium chloride, gluconate, bicarbonate, and citrate, can effectively raise potassium levels in the body, but each serves a slightly different purpose and carries varying degrees of risk. Over-the-counter options contain some amount of potassium, while prescription versions are reserved for medically diagnosed deficiencies and require careful supervision. For most people, the safest approach to increase potassium intake is through a diet rich in potassium-heavy foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources. Herbal products and salt substitutes also contain potassium and should be considered part of the total intake. Anyone considering a potassium supplement, especially those with underlying health conditions, should consult with a healthcare professional to ensure safe and appropriate use. For more comprehensive information on potassium, consult the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

For treating low potassium levels (hypokalemia), potassium chloride is typically considered the most effective supplement, especially when prescribed by a doctor. It is available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquids.

OTC potassium supplements are generally safe for healthy individuals but are not intended to treat significant deficiencies. Always consult a doctor before starting any supplement, as excessive potassium can be dangerous, especially for those with kidney problems.

Mild hyperkalemia may not have symptoms, but higher levels can cause muscle weakness, tingling, irregular heartbeat, and nausea. In severe cases, it can lead to cardiac arrest. If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Potassium chloride is primarily used to treat low potassium. Potassium citrate, while it also raises potassium, is mainly prescribed to prevent certain types of kidney stones. They are not interchangeable for their main therapeutic purposes.

Yes, some herbal supplements like alfalfa, nettle, and dandelion contain potassium and can raise levels. Individuals with kidney disease or other conditions prone to high potassium should be especially cautious with these.

You can increase your potassium intake by eating foods like dried apricots, potatoes (with skin), beans, lentils, bananas, spinach, and salmon. For most people, a balanced diet is the safest way to maintain healthy levels.

Anyone with kidney disease, heart failure, or those taking specific medications like ACE inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics should avoid potassium supplements unless under strict medical supervision. High potassium levels can be life-threatening for these individuals.