Is It Safe To Combine Potassium Citrate And Khellin?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses whether or not it is safe to combine potassium citrate and khellin.
Can I take potassium citrate with khellin?
Jan 22, 2023- There is no known drug interaction between khella and potassium citrate based on available evidence. Khella does have potential interactions with other drugs like digoxin, certain liver-toxic medications, and drugs that increase sun sensitivity, but potassium citrate is not among them. Always inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking so you can be properly monitored.
Answer
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There is no known drug interaction between khella (the plant that contains khellin) and potassium citrate. While I won't go as far to say they are 100% safe to take together because we are lacking any specific studies on the matter, there is no evidence to support an interaction between them.
More Details
Based on the limited data available, it appears that khella does have some potential drug interactions to be aware of, including with:
- Digoxin
- Drugs that are hard on the liver
- Drugs that increase sun sensitivity
Khella, in addition to khellin, contains visnadin, which may counteract the effects of a drug like digoxin.
Some studies have shown that khella can elevate some liver enzymes, specifically liver transaminases, so should be used cautiously with drugs that can potentially be toxic to the liver (such as acetaminophen, isoniazid, and methotrexate).
Lastly, khella has very rarely been linked to causing 'photosensitivity' and needs to be used cautiously with other drugs that do the same.
Again, there is no indication that khella interacts with potassium citrate, a drug that is used to treat kidney stones.
Potassium citrate has few drug interactions in its own right. In fact, the prescribing information for the drug only lists two types of interactions, and that is with:
- Potassium-sparing Diuretics (e.g., spironolactone, amiloride): Increases the risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium levels).
- Drugs that slow gastrointestinal transit time (e.g., dicyclomine): Increases the risk of gastrointestinal irritation.
Final Words
It's always a challenge to be able to definitively say a herbal has no interactions with any given drug due to the lack of data available. Nevertheless, I could find nothing to support a potential interaction between khella and potassium citrate.
As always, be sure to let your doctor know about all the medication you are taking so you can be appropriately monitored.
References & sources
- [Phototoxic dermatitis following the use of Ammi majus fruit for vitiligo] — PubMed
- Treatment of vitiligo with khellin and ultraviolet A — PubMed
- Khellin and visnagin in different organs of Ammi visnaga and Ammi majus — PubMed
- An approach to the treatment of vitiligo by khellin — PubMed
- Marked increase of liver transaminases after khellin and UVA therapy — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Drug interaction
- A reaction that occurs when two or more medications affect each other's effectiveness or safety in your body.
- Khellin
- An active chemical compound found in the khella plant that has medicinal properties.
- Potassium citrate
- A medication used to treat kidney stones by making urine less acidic.
- Digoxin
- A heart medication that helps the heart pump more effectively and controls heart rhythm.
- Liver transaminases
- Enzymes found in the liver whose elevation in the blood can indicate liver damage or stress.
- Photosensitivity
- An abnormal skin reaction that causes burning, redness, or rash when exposed to sunlight.
- Hyperkalemia
- A condition where potassium levels in the blood become dangerously high.
- Potassium-sparing diuretics
- Water pills that remove excess fluid from the body while helping retain potassium.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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