Kayexalate (Sodium Polystyrene) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) »

What is hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia is common; it is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. Fortunately, most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%.

Technically, hyperkalemia means an abnormally elevated level of potassium in the blood. The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L reflect mild hyperkalemia. Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L are severe hyperkalemia.

How does hyperkalemia affect t...

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Kayexalate Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to sodium polystyrene sulfonate, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

low potassium levels (hypokalemia); or
a bowel obstruction.

Before receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

heart disease or high blood pressure;
congestive heart failure;
edema (water weight gain);
kidney disease;
constipation; or
if you are on a low-salt diet.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use sodium polystyrene sulfonate, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before treatment to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However, make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received this medication.

How is sodium polystyrene sulfonate given (Kayexalate)?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can be given as a liquid by mouth, through a stomach feeding tube, or as a rectal enema. This medication is usually given 1 to 4 times daily by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting.

The powder form of this medicine is mixed with water, or syrup (to make it taste better if given by mouth).

If you are given the rectal enema, the liquid will be given slowly while you are lying down. You may need to hold the enema in for up to several hours. The sodium polystyrene sulfonate enema is usually followed with a second cleansing enema.

You will need to keep using this medication even if you feel fine. Hyperkalemia often has no symptoms that you will notice.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

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