Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Uses, Side Effects & Warnings (2024)

Generic name: sodium polystyrene sulfonate [SOE-dee-um-pol-ee-STEER-een-SUL-foe-nate]
Brand names: Kalexate, Kayexalate, Kionex
Dosage forms: oral and rectal powder (-), oral and rectal suspension (15 g/60 mL)
Drug class: Cation exchange resins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 4, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is 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.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate side effects (more detail)

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).

Before taking this medicine

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.

How is sodium polystyrene sulfonate given?

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 given 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 give this medicine orally: Mix the sodium polystyrene sulfonate 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 sodium polystyrene sulfonate 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 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.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperkalemia:

Oral:
15 g orally once a day
Maximum dose: 15 g orally 4 times a day

Comments:
-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 hours
Maximum dose: 50 g rectally every 6 hours

Comments:
-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 resin

Comment:
-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

Detailed Sodium polystyrene sulfonate dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while using sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

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).

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.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate drug interactions (more detail)

More about sodium polystyrene sulfonate

  • Check interactions
  • Compare alternatives
  • Reviews (11)
  • Side effects
  • Dosage information
  • During pregnancy
  • Drug class: cation exchange resins
  • Breastfeeding
  • En español

Patient resources

  • Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Oral) advanced reading
  • Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Rectal) (Advanced Reading)
  • Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Powder
  • Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Suspension

Other brands

Kayexalate, Kionex, Kalexate

Professional resources

  • Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate monograph
  • Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (FDA)
  • Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Oral Powder (FDA)

Other brands

Kayexalate, Kionex

Related treatment guides

  • Hyperkalemia

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Uses, Side Effects & Warnings (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 6456

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.