This medication is used to treat a high level of potassium in your blood. Too much potassium in your blood can sometimes cause heart rhythm problems. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate works by helping your body get rid of extra potassium.

Take this medication by mouth, or use it rectally as directed by your doctor.

If you are taking this medication by mouth, take it usually 1 to 4 times a day as directed by your doctor. To prepare the liquid suspension, carefully measure the prescribed dose of the powder and mix it with the prescribed amount of water or flavored syrup as directed. Stir well and drink the entire dose. Stay upright (sitting, standing, or walking) and do not lie down for at least an hour after your dose. Consult your doctor for details.

Certain antacids and laxatives should not be taken at the same time as sodium polystyrene sulfonate. See the Drug Interactions section for details.

To give this medication rectally as an enema, use the prescribed dose usually every 6 hours or as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for directions on how to prepare and mix the dose into a suspension and how to use the enema. Follow instructions for the use of a cleansing enema both before and after your dose of sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

Stir the suspension well, and use it soon after mixing. Do not store the mixture for more than 24 hours.

Do not heat this medication because it may not work as well.

The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not use more of this medication or use it for longer than directed because your potassium blood level may drop too low.

Keep all laboratory and medical appointments so your doctor can check your potassium blood level.

Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or constipation may occur. Diarrhea may occur less frequently. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative. Certain laxatives should not be taken with this medication. See the Drug Interactions section.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle weakness/spasms, irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as irritability, confusion, slowed thinking), swelling hands/ankles/feet.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: severe constipation, bloating/swelling/pain in the stomach/abdomen, black/bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, inability to move your muscles (paralysis), seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using sodium polystyrene sulfonate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: blockage of the stomach/intestines, low level of potassium in the blood.

This medication contains a large amount of salt (sodium). If you have any of these conditions listed below, follow your doctor's instructions for limiting the amount of sodium in your diet. Do not use salt substitutes that contain potassium without asking your doctor first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other stomach/intesine/bowel problems (such as inflammatory bowel disease), kidney problems, heart failure, high blood pressure, swelling hands/ankles/feet.

Older adults may be at greater risk for severe constipation.

This medication must not be given by mouth to newborns. Also, newborns with slow gut function must not use this drug. Newborns and children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially severe constipation and intestinal problems.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk, and the effect on a nursing infant is unknown. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: antacids/laxatives that contain magnesium (such as magnesium hydroxide).

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

If you are taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate by mouth, other antacids and laxatives (such as calcium carbonate, aluminum carbonate, aluminum hydroxide) may also affect how well it works if they are used at the same time. These products may also increase the risk of side effects with this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which products you can safely use.

Taking the laxative sorbitol with sodium polystyrene sulfonate by mouth is not recommended because doing so may cause serious intestinal problems in some people. If you are using sodium polystyrene sulfonate rectally with sorbitol, using a cleansing enema after the dose of this medication may help to decrease the risk of intestinal side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

This medication may decrease the absorption of levothyroxine into your bloodstream. Therefore, if you take levothyroxine, take it 4 hours before or 4 hours after using this medication.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: irregular heartbeat, slowed breathing, paralysis.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood levels of potassium and other minerals, EKG) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store tightly closed at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. After mixing, use the suspension within 24 hours. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.