Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

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

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat high potassium levels in the blood, known as hyperkalemia.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate works in a different way from other medicines because it moves into your intestines without entering your bloodstream.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

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

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can be taken as a liquid by mouth, through a stomach feeding tube, or as a rectal enema.

Do not give sodium polystyrene sulfonate 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 take this medicine by mouth: Mix the sodium polystyrene sulfonate powder with water, or with honey or jam to improve the taste. Avoid breathing in the oral powder while 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 sodium polystyrene sulfonate enema is usually followed with a second cleansing enema.

You will need frequent medical tests to help your doctor decide how long to treat you with sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

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.

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).

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 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 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.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble 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 right away if you have:

• stomach pain, rectal pain;
• severe constipation, severe stomach pain, bloating;
• fever, chills, vomiting;
• confusion, problems thinking, 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 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 happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

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 the same 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 sodium polystyrene sulfonate less effective or cause serious side effects.

Do not use potassium supplements, calcium supplements, or salt substitutes while you are taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate, 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).

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can make it harder for your body to absorb oral medicines. Do not take other medicines within 3 hours before or 3 hours after you take sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

• If you have a condition that slows your digestion, do not take 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.