Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

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 Mar 25, 2022. 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.

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 li...