Kionex

Kionex attaches to potassium in your digestive system. This helps stop your body from taking in too much potassium.

Kionex is used to treat high potassium levels in the blood, which is known as hyperkalemia.

Kionex works in a different way than other medications because it moves into your intestines without being absorbed into your bloodstream.

Kionex may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use Kionex 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 Kionex (or 6 hours before/after if you have slow digestion).

You should not use Kionex 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 by 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 Kionex 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.

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

Kionex may cause serious side effects. Stop using Kionex and call your doctor immediately 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 feeling limp;
• low calcium levels--muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingling (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 Kionex 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.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Kionex can be given as a liquid by mouth, through a stomach feeding tube, or as a rectal enema.

Do not give Kionex orally (by mouth) to a newborn baby. Do not use the medicine orally or rectally in a baby who has slow digestion caused by surgery or by using other medicines.

To give this medicine orally: Mix the Kionex powder with water, or with honey or jam to make it taste better. Avoid inhaling the oral powder while you are preparing a dose.

Do not mix the powder with any juice or other liquid that contains potassium, such as orange juice.

The rectal enema form of this medicine is usually given by a healthcare professional. The enema will be inserted slowly while you are lying down. You may need to hold in the enema for up to several hours. The Kionex enema is usually followed with a second cleansing enema.

You will need frequent medical tests to help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Kionex.

Keep using this medicine even if you feel fine. Hyperkalemia often has no symptoms that you will notice until your potassium levels are very low.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid using antacids or laxatives without your doctor's advice. Antacids or laxatives can make Kionex less effective or cause serious side effects.

Do not use potassium supplements, calcium supplements, or salt substitutes while you are taking Kionex, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid eating or drinking anything that contains sorbitol (a fruit sugar often used as a sweetener in chewing gum, diet drinks, baked goods, or frozen desserts).

Kionex 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 this medicine.

• 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 Kionex.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some may affect Kionex, 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 Kionex, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.