What is Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate oral used for?

For what this medication used?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication used in the management or in the treatment of high levels of potassium in your blood or works by helping your body get rid of extra potassium. If your blood has too much potassium available, it can cause heart rhythm problems.

In 1958, In the United States, Sodium polystyrene sulfonate was approved for medical use. In the 2000s,  polystyrene sulfonate was developed under the name Tolevamer to treat Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, but it was never marketed. It is sold under the brand name Kalexate, Kayexalate, Kionex, and SPS.

How is Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate medicine used?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate available in the form of a suspension and as an oral powder for the suspension to take by mouth. As directed by your doctor or pharmacist, this medication is usually taken one to four times a day by mouth. You can also take it as a liquid suspension, you just have to create a liquid solution of this medication. Firstly measure the prescribed dose of the powder carefully and then mix it into the prescribed amount of water or flavored syrup

As directed to your doctor or pharmacist after that, drink the entire dose. After taking this medication don’t lie down for at least an hour for more information or details contact your doctor or pharmacist.

When you are taking the sodium polystyrene sulfonate powder by mouth, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, mix the powder into 20 to 100 mL of water or syrup and measure the powder carefully by using the level teaspoonfuls. After preparing, use the mixture shortly, don’t store the mixture beyond 24 hours. And don’t try to add heated foods or liquids in the sodium polystyrene sulfonate suspension.

If you take any other medicine while you are using sodium polystyrene sulfonate medicine then take the other medicine at least 3 hours before or 3 hours after sodium polystyrene sulfonate medicine as directed by your doctor or pharmacists because it can decrease your absorption of other medications. For more information or details ask your doctor or pharmacist or if you have any other questions.

Ensure to follow the directions exactly on your prescription label carefully because the length and dosage of treatment depend on your medical condition and response to treatment. Don’t ever try to take less or more sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication than prescribed by your doctor or pharmacists. If you don’t understand any of the parts then ask your health care provider to explain all the things again.

Keep all your appointments and all laboratories so your doctor or the pharmacist can check your potassium blood level.

What are the other uses of this medication?

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the prescribed treatments for other diseases of sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication.

What special dietary plans should I follow?

When you are taking this medication and using salt substitutes containing potassium or foods that are high in potassium then talk to your doctor before taking the medicine.

What are the side effects of this medication on humans?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate medicine has been prescribed to you because your doctor or pharmacists have judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. This sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication only uses serious side effects because people that are using this medication have some serious side effects.

Some common side effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate:

Stop taking or using sodium polystyrene sulfonate, if you experience any of these common side effects or symptoms, and call your doctor immediately:

  • You’ll feel diarrhea.
  • You’ll feel the loss of appetite.
  • You’ll feel nausea.
  • You’ll feel vomiting.
  • You’ll feel constipation.
  • You’ll start feeling rashes, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat).
  • You’ll feel severe dizziness.
  • You’ll feel trouble breathing.

Some serious side effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate:

Stop taking or using sodium polystyrene sulfonate, if you experience any of these serious symptoms or side effects, and call your doctor immediately:

  • You’ll feel swelling hands/ankles/feet.
  • You’ll start feeling bloating/swelling/pain in the stomach/abdomen.
  • You’ll feel abdominal pain.
  • You’ll start feeling fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
  • You’ll feel constipation.
  • You’ll start feeling mental/mood changes such as confusion, irritability, or slowed thinking.
  • You’ll feel muscle weakness/spasms.
  • You’ll feel seizures.
  • You’ll feel unusual bleeding.

If you have any unusual problems apart from these while using sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication then immediately contact your doctor or pharmacist because this is not the complete list of the all symptoms and side effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

What special precautions could I take?

Some special precaution of sodium polystyrene sulfonate medicine you should have followed before using this medication:

  • If you are allergic to this medicine, or any other medications then tell your doctor and pharmacist and ask them about the ingredients products you are allergic to.
  • If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, become pregnant or planning to become pregnant and using the sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are on a sodium-restricted diet then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you have or have ever had surgery to remove all or part of your large bowel or surgery, kidney disease, ischemic colitis, high blood pressure problem, or heart failure then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you have any medical history such as inflammatory bowel disease, bowel obstruction, chronic constipation, fecal impaction then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, nutritional supplements, other vitamins, herbal products, medicine such as digoxin (Lanoxin); laxatives; lithium (Lithobid); or thyroxine, or planning to take while you are taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • Before having surgery, if you are using this medication or other products such as prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
  • Don’t ever use salt substitutes that contain potassium without asking your doctor or pharmacist first because it contains a large amount of salt (sodium) and it would be harmful to you.

Special note – Sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication does not pass into breast milk and is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor or pharmacists before breastfeeding.

Follow all the mentioned precautions carefully, these are all precautions that you can take while using the sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication. If you have experienced or faced any of the problems mentioned above then contact your doctor or pharmacists immediately.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate interactions with other drugs

Drug interaction can change the working of the drug or increase your risk for serious side effects. It[‘s impossible to mention all the interactions with this drug so if you want to safely keep a list of all the medication or products that you are using such as prescription, non-prescription drugs, and herbal products, and then share it with your doctor and pharmacist. 

Your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professionals can already be aware of any drug interactions. Don’t try to change, stop, or start the dosage of any medicine before checking or before talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

When you are using the sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication don’t try to use any laxatives that contain sorbitol because this can increase your risk of intestinal problems.

Some products that can interact with this drug:

  • Aluminum
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Aluminum carbonate
  • Aluminum hydroxide
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Magnesium hydroxide

What can I do if I forget a dose?

When you start to take sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication, always remember to write down all of the instructions that your doctor or pharmacist tells you when you ask a question: what can I do if I forget a dose?

The answer is if you forgot to take sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication and if it is near the time of your next dose then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose at the regular time. Don’t take the dose at irregular times. It makes your dose double and it would be harmful to you.

What happens if I overdose?

Some of the symptoms or side effects that can occur because of an overdose of sodium polystyrene sulfonate medication:

  • You’ll feel irritability.
  • You’ll start feeling confused.
  • You’ll feel muscle weakness.

Talk you your doctor or pharmacist if you have experienced any of the following symptoms or side effects immediately. These are very harmful to you.

What can I know about the storage and disposal of this medication?

Store this medication at room temperature and keep them away from light or excessive heat and moisture. And put them away from the reach of the pets and children, we suggest you put that medicine in a tightly closed container in which they came. Ensure that the liquid form of this product doesn’t freeze.

You should have disposed of all the medication that is unneeded in a special way to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them. You can not flush them or pour them into the drain. You can return them to the pharmacist or the best way is that you can take back the program for returning your medicines.

What other information should I know?

Don’t miss any of your doctor and laboratory appointments because your doctor will check the response of this medicine then he/she will tell you the update or other pieces of information. So, keep all your appointments with your doctor, pharmacist, and the laboratory.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel your health condition is getting worse or your dose may need to be adjusted.

It is very important to tell your pharmacist about all your prescriptions and nonprescription you were taking and make a list of them and carry the list all time it would help you in case of emergencies. When you meet or visit your doctor you should bring the list its important to it you doctor.

And ensure that no one is taking your medicine or no one has them. And every time when you meet your pharmacist or doctor asks them any of the questions you have about refilling your prescription.


Hope you find this blog useful. Please tell us your experience with this blog in the comment section and keep visiting for further pieces of information.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *