2.1 General Information

Administer Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate at least 3 hours before or 3 hours after other oral medications. Patients with gastroparesis may require a 6 hour separation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5) and Drug Interaction ( 7)]

2.2 Recommended Dosage

The intensity and duration of therapy depend upon the severity and resistance of hyperkalemia.

Oral

The average total daily adult dose of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate is 15 g to 60 g, administered as a 15 g dose (four level teaspoons), one to four times daily.

Rectal

The average adult dose is 30 g to 50 g every six hours.

2.3 Preparation and Administration

Prepare suspension fresh and use within 24 hours.
Do not heat Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate as it could alter the exchange properties of the resin.
One level teaspoon contains approximately 3.5 g of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate and 15 mEq of sodium.

Oral Suspension
Suspend each dose in a small quantity of water or syrup, approximately 3 to 4 mL of liquid per gram of resin. Administer with patient in an upright position [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4)] .

Enema
After an initial cleansing enema, insert a soft, large size (French 28) rubber tube into the rectum for a distance of about 20 cm, with the tip well into the sigmoid colon, and tape in place.

Administer as a warm (body temperature) emulsion in 100 mL of aqueous vehicle and flush with 50 to 100 mL of fluid. A somewhat thicker suspension may be used, but do not form a paste.

Agitate the emulsion gently during administration. The resin should be retained for as long as possible and follow by a cleansing enema with a nonsodium containing solution. Ensure an adequate volume of cleansing solution (up to 2 liters) is utilized.

5.1 Intestinal Necrosis

Cases of intestinal necrosis, some fatal, and other serious gastrointestinal adverse events (bleeding, ischemic colitis, perforation) have been reported in association with sodium polystyrene sulfonate use. The majority of these cases reported the concomitant use of sorbitol. Risk factors for gastrointestinal adverse events were present in many of the cases including prematurity, history of intestinal disease or surgery, hypovolemia, and renal insufficiency and failure. Concomitant administration of sorbitol is not recommended.

• Use only in patients who have normal bowel function. Avoid use in patients who have not had a bowel movement post-surgery.
• Avoid use in patients who are at risk for developing constipation or impaction (including those with history of impaction, chronic constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic colitis, vascular intestinal atherosclerosis, previous bowel resection, or bowel obstruction).

      Discontinue use in patients who develop constipation.

5.2 Electrolyte Disturbances

Monitor serum potassium during therapy because severe hypokalemia may occur.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is not totally selective for potassium, and small amounts of other cations such as calcium can also be lost during treatment. Monitor calcium and magnesium in patients receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

5.3 Fluid Overload in Patients Sensitive to High Sodium Intake

Each 15 g dose of sodium polystyrene sulfonate contains 1,500 mg (60 mEq) of sodium. Monitor patients who are sensitive to sodium intake (heart failure, hypertension, edema) for signs of fluid overload. Adjustment of other sources of sodium may be required.

5.4 Risk of Aspiration

Cases of acute bronchitis or bronchopneumonia caused by inhalation of sodium polystyrene sulfonate particles have been reported. Patients with impaired gag reflex, altered level of consciousness, or patients prone to regurgitation may be at increased risk. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate with the patient in an upright position.

5.5 Binding to Other Orally Administered Medications

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may bind orally administered medications, which could decrease their gastrointestinal absorption and lead to reduced efficacy. Administer other oral medications at least 3 hours before or 3 hours after sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Patients with gastroparesis may require a 6 hour separation. [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1) and Drug Interactions ( 7)].

7.1 General Interactions

No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted in humans.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate has the potential to bind other drugs. In in vitro binding studies, sodium polystyrene sulfonate was shown to significantly bind the oral medications (n=6) that were tested. Decreased absorption of lithium and thyroxine have also been reported with co-administration of sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Binding of sodium polystyrene sulfonate to other oral medications cold cause decreased gastrointestinal absorption and loss of efficacy when taken close to the time sodium polystyrene sulfonate is administered. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate at least 3 hours before or 3 hours after other oral medications. Patients with gastroparesis may require a 6 hour separation. Monitor for clinical response and/or blood levels where possible.

7.2 Cation-Donating Antacids

The simultaneous oral administration of sodium polystyrene sulfonate with nonabsorbable cation-donating antacids and laxatives may reduce the resin's potassium exchange capability and increase the risk of systemic alkalosis.

7.3 Sorbitol

Sorbitol may contribute to the risk of intestinal necrosis  [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)]  and concomitant use is not recommended. 

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is not absorbed systemically following oral or rectal administration and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal risk.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is not absorbed systemically by the mother, so breastfeeding is not expected to result in risk to the infant.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Studies of safety and efficacy have not been conducted in pediatric patients.

In pediatric patients, as in adults, sodium polystyrene sulfonate is expected to bind potassium at the practical exchange ratio of 1 mEq potassium per 1 gram of resin.

In neonates, sodium polystyrene sulfonate should not be given by the oral route. In both children and neonates, excessive dosage or inadequate dilution could result in impaction of the resin. Premature infants or low birth weight infants may have an increased risk for gastrointestinal adverse effects with sodium polystyrene sulfonate use  [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4)] . 

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a non-absorbed, cation exchange polymer that contains a sodium counterion.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate increases fecal potassium excretion through binding of potassium in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Binding of potassium reduces the concentration of free potassium in the gastrointestinal lumen, resulting in a reduction of serum potassium levels. The practical exchange ratio is 1 mEq K per 1 gram of resin.

As the resin passes along the intestine or is retained in the colon after administration by enema, the sodium ions are partially released and are replaced by potassium ions. This action occurs primarily in the large intestine, which excretes potassium ions to a greater degree than does the small intestine. The efficiency of this process is limited and unpredictably variable. 

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

The effective lowering of serum potassium with sodium polystyrene sulfonate may take hours to days.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

The  in vivo efficiency of sodium-potassium exchange resins is approximately 33 percent; hence, about one third of the resin's actual sodium content is delivered to the body.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is not absorbed systemically.

Drug Interactions

In vitro binding studies showed that sodium polystyrene sulfonate bound significantly to the following tested drugs – warfarin, metoprolol, phenytoin, furosemide, amlodipine and amoxicillin.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Studies have not been performed.