Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Generic name: Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Drug class: Cation exchange resins

Usage of Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate binds itself to potassium in your digestive tract. This helps prevent your body from absorbing too much potassium.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood, also called hyperkalemia.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate works differently from other medicines because it passes into your intestines without being absorbed into your blood stream.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may cause serious side effects. Stop using sodium polystyrene sulfonate and call your doctor at once if you have:

stomach pain, rectal pain;

severe constipation, severe stomach pain, bloating;

fever, chills, vomiting;

confusion, thinking problems, feeling irritable;

low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

low calcium levels--muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingly feeling (around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes); or

signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Common side effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate may include:

nausea, vomiting;

diarrhea, constipation; or

loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

You should not use sodium polystyrene sulfonate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

low potassium levels (hypokalemia); or

a bowel obstruction.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart disease or high blood pressure;

a weak immune system caused using certain medicine;

severe constipation or other bowel problems;

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in your blood);

fluid retention;

severe burns;

a bowel disorder, or surgery on your intestines;

if you are dehydrated; or

if you are on a low-salt diet.

Because sodium polystyrene sulfonate is not absorbed into the bloodstream, this medicine is not expected to be harmful during pregnancy or while nursing a baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Relate drugs

How to use Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperkalemia:

Oral:15 g orally once a dayMaximum dose: 15 g orally 4 times a dayComments:-A 15 g dose is equivalent to approximately 4 level teaspoons.-This drug should be given as a suspension in water or syrup (not fruit juice).Rectal:30 g rectally every 6 hoursMaximum dose: 50 g rectally every 6 hoursComments:-This drug should be administered via warm emulsion in 100 mL of aqueous vehicle.-This solution should be gently agitated during administration.-The enema should be retained as long as possible and should be followed by a cleansing enema.Use: Treatment of hyperkalemia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hyperkalemia:

Calculate dose based on 1 mEq potassium per 1 g resinComment:-A 15 g dose is equivalent to approximately 4 level teaspoons.-This drug should be given as a suspension in water or syrup (not fruit juice).-The oral route should be avoided in neonates.Use: Treatment of hyperkalemia

Warnings

You should not use sodium polystyrene sulfonate if you have low potassium levels or a bowel obstruction.

Do not give this medicine orally (by mouth) to a newborn baby.

Avoid taking other medicines by mouth within 3 hours before or 3 hours after you take sodium polystyrene sulfonate (or 6 hours before/after if you have slow digestion).

What other drugs will affect Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can make it harder for your body to absorb medicines you take by mouth. Avoid taking other medicines within 3 hours before or 3 hours after you take sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

If you have a condition that slows your digestion, avoid taking other medicines by mouth within 6 hours before or 6 hours after you take sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some may affect sodium polystyrene sulfonate, especially:

digoxin, digitalis;

lithium;

thyroxine; or

drugs that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect sodium polystyrene sulfonate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.