Potential Usefulness of Early Potassium Supplementation for Preventing Severe Hypokalemia Induced by Liposomal Amphotericin B in Hematologic Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract Purpose Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) is an essential antifungal agent for patients with hematologic diseases; however, the drug causes severe hypokalemia at a high frequency. Meanwhile, there is little evidence regarding the risk factors for L-AMB–induced severe hypokalemia, and the prevention protocol has not been established. The goal of this study was to identify the risk factors related to severe hypokalemia induced by L-AMB in hematologic patients. Methods Seventy-eight hematologic patients with a first administration of L-AMB were enrolled in the study. Eleven patients who had serum potassium levels Findings Twenty-six patients had hypolalemia after L-AMB administration. Hypokalemia with serum potassium levels P Implications This study showed that starting administration of a potassium formulation within 2 days from the start of L-AMB administration was a risk reduction factor for L-AMB–induced hypokalemia. This finding indicates that early potassium supplementation should be incorporated into the regimen of hypokalemia management when L-AMB is used.