Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of hyperkalemia or high potassium levels.

• Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate is available under various brand names: Kalexate, Kayexalate, Kionex

Common side effects of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation; or
• loss of appetite.

Serious side effects of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate include:

• hives,
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• 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.

Rare side effects of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Powder for oral suspension

• 454 g

Oral suspension

• 15 g/60 mL

Rectal suspension

• 15 g/60 mL

Hyperkalemia

Adult dosage

• Oral: 15 g once daily or every 6-12 hours
• Rectal: 30-50 g every 6 hours

Pediatric dosage

• Oral: 1 g/kg every 6 hours or as needed; alternatively, use an exchange ratio of 1 mEq K+ to 1 g of resin for a lower dose (oral use not recommended in patients less than 1-month-old)  
• Rectal: 1 g/kg every 2-6 hours or as needed; alternatively, use an exchange ratio of 1 mEq K+ to 1 g of resin for a lower dose

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • meloxicam
• Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • sorbitol
• Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate has moderate interactions with the following drugs:
  • deflazacort
  • magnesium sulfate
  • sodium sulfate/?magnesium sulfate/potassium chloride
  • sodium sulfate/potassium sulfate/magnesium sulfate
  • sodium sulfate/potassium sulfate/magnesium sulfate/polyethylene glycol
• Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • calcium acetate
  • calcium carbonate
  • calcium chloride
  • calcium citrate
  • calcium gluconate
  • levothyroxine
  • lithium
  • magnesium chloride
  • magnesium citrate
  • magnesium hydroxide
  • magnesium oxide

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Allergic to sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate,
• Low potassium levels, or
• Bowel obstruction.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate?”

Cautions

• 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 may store an unopened foil pouch at room temperature but you must use it within 6 weeks or throw it away. Protect from heat and light.
• 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).

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Not absorbed systemically following oral or rectal administration and maternal use is not expected to result in a fetal risk
• Lactation
  • Not absorbed systemically by the mother, so breastfeeding is not expected to result in a risk to the infant