Total body potassium depletion and renal tubular dysfunction following carbenoxolone therapy

A patient with hypokalaemia-associated renal tubular damage following carbenoxolone therapy is described. The hypokalaemia was reflected by a low level for total body potassium (TBK) and investigations confirmed renal tubular dysfunction. Hypokalaemic nephropathy may be secondary to intracellular potassium depletion rather than the hypokalaemia itself.