Final answer:
Spironolactone (Aldactone) should not be combined with potassium-spiking medications, which include Benazepril (Lotensin), Valsartan (Diovan), and Ibuprofen, due to the risk of hyperkalemia. It is safest to combine it with Amlodipine (Norvasc), a calcium channel blocker that does not significantly affect potassium levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spironolactone, also known as Aldactone, is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can have increased risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood) when combined with other medications that also raise potassium levels. It should not be combined with potassium-spiking drugs except when closely monitored by a healthcare professional. Among the provided options, Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a calcium channel blocker and does not have a significant impact on blood potassium levels, making it typically the safer option to be combined with spironolactone.
However, combining spironolactone with other medications like Benazepril (Lotensin), Valsartan (Diovan), or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen could potentially increase the risk of hyperkalemia. Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor and Valsartan is an ARB, both of which can elevate potassium levels, as can Ibuprofen to a lesser extent.