Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate

Other Therapeutics/Non-therapeutics · Ion-exchange resin

Indications

Hyperkalaemia associated with anuria or severe oliguria. Hyperkalaemia in patients requiring dialysis.

Dosage

Adults: ORAL: 15 gm 3-4 times a day, taken in water or syrup (but not fruit juices which contain potassium) in the ratio of 3-4 mL/gm of resin. RECTAL: Rectal administration may be appropriate in a patient who is vomiting or who has upper GI tract problems including paralytic ileus. It may be used simultaneously with the oral route for more rapid initial results or in patients with gastroparesis, who have other orally adm medications that are adm within 6 hrs of Ca polystyrene sulfonate. Suspend 30 gm powd in 150 mL water or 10% dextrose, as a daily retention enema. Enema should be retained for at least 9 hrs and then the colon irrigated to remove the resin. In the initial stages of treatment, adm by both the oral and rectal routes may achieve a rapid lowering of serum potassium. If both routes are used initially it is probably unnecessary to continue rectal adm once the oral resin has…

Adverse Effects

Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, constipation, decreased appetite, diarrhoea, faecal impaction, gastric irritation, GI bezoars (concretions), GI perforation, GI ulceration, hypercalcaemia, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, intestinal ischaemia, intestinal necrosis, intestinal obstruction, ischaemic colitis.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Positive evidence of risk: Use only when no safer alternative exists for a serious problem. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Serum potassium <5mmol/L, GI obstruction, hypercalcaemia, hyperparathyroidism, metastatic carcinoma, multiple myeloma, neonates with reduced GI motility, sarcoidosis. Precautions: Low birth weight infant, neonates, premature infants, reduced GI motility. Monitor periodically for signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance. Monitor serum calcium weekly. Discontinue if significant constipation occurs, until resolved. Discontinue treatment when serum potassium falls to 5mmol/L. In neonates, the resin should only be adm by the rectal route. In children and neonates impaction may occur if excessive dosage or dilution is inadequate. Caution in premature infants and low weight infants due to the risk of digestive haemorrhage or…

Interactions

Products containing sorbitol. Digitalis (monitor concurrent use).

Advice to Patient

Avoid other oral medicines 3 hrs before or after dose. Avoid concurrent use of products containing sorbitol. Gastroparesis: Consider avoiding other oral medicines for 6 hrs before or after. Avoid magnesium-containing laxatives. Avoid mixing with fruit juice or squash. Remain upright while taking medicine to avoid aspiration.

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.