Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Rectal)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 13, 2022.

Uses for sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood, also called hyperkalemia.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using sodium polystyrene sulfonate

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For sodium polystyrene sulfonate, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sodium polystyrene sulfonate or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate in the pediatric population. However, pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sodium polystyrene sulfonate in children are not expected.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate should not be used in newborn infants who have reduced or slow bowel movements.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate in geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using sodium polystyrene sulfonate with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Meloxicam
Sorbitol

Using sodium polystyrene sulfonate with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Liothyronine

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal