Kayexalate

Hyperkalemia

Treatment

4 Active Studies for Kayexalate

What is Kayexalate

Tolevamer

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a drug used to lower dangerously high levels of potassium in the blood. It can be taken by mouth or given as an enema, and it works by binding potassium in the intestines. It is also used as a topical microbicide and spermicide to prevent the spread of infections such as HIV.

Kayexalate

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Kayexalate Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Kayexalate

Tolevamer

1958

34

Effectiveness

How Kayexalate Affects Patients

Polystyrene sulfonate helps to balance the amount of sodium and potassium in the body. It is used to treat high levels of potassium, which is also known as hyperkalemia. Polystyrene sulfonate can be taken orally (25 grams with 20% sorbitol) or rectally (50 grams with 20% sorbitol).

How Kayexalate works in the body

Polystyrene sulfonate is a medication that binds to excess potassium in the intestines and prevents it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. This way, it reduces the amount of potassium in the body, and is then flushed out of the system through the feces.

When to interrupt dosage

The amount of Kayexalate is contingent upon the diagnosed condition. The dosage likewise relies upon the method of delivery featured in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Hyperkalemia

0.0041 meq/mg, , 1.0 mg/mg, 100.0 %, 1500.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 0.0943 mg/mg, 0.999 mg/mg

, Oral; Rectal, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral; Rectal, Powder, Oral, Powder - Oral, Powder - Oral; Rectal, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Suspension - Oral; Rectal, Suspension, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Oral; Rectal, Suspension - Oral, Rectal, Suspension - Rectal

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Kayexalate.

Common Kayexalate Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate

Major

Tolevamer may decrease effectiveness of Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate as a diagnostic agent.

Acetyldigitoxin

Moderate

The risk or severity of Cardiac Arrhythmia can be increased when Tolevamer is combined with Acetyldigitoxin.

Acetyldigoxin

Moderate

The risk or severity of Cardiac Arrhythmia can be increased when Tolevamer is combined with Acetyldigoxin.

Almasilate

Moderate

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Tolevamer is combined with Almasilate.

Aloglutamol

Moderate

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Tolevamer is combined with Aloglutamol.

Kayexalate Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Signs of an overdose on this medication may include confusion, moodiness, difficulty concentrating, muscle weakness, or difficulty breathing.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Kayexalate Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Kayexalate?

Currently, there are 7 active studies examining the potential of Kayexalate to manage Hyperkalemia.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Hyperkalemia

4 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 1

Kayexalate Reviews: What are patients saying about Kayexalate?

5

Patient Review

9/16/2011

Kayexalate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

This treatment saved my life and I experienced no negative side effects.

5

Patient Review

5/23/2008

Kayexalate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

This medication has been a lifesaver for me. It's helped to regulate my potassium levels and I couldn't be more grateful.

3.7

Patient Review

5/6/2012

Kayexalate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I was just prescribed this for high potassium in my blood. It tastes terrible, but if it does the job then I'm all for it.

2.7

Patient Review

7/16/2009

Kayexalate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I just took this today and the taste is vile. I'm also really worried about potential side effects after reading about them.

2

Patient Review

7/20/2011

Kayexalate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I don't love taking this, but it's tolerable.

1.7

Patient Review

8/27/2013

Kayexalate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I experienced nausea and an increase in mucus production while taking this medication.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about kayexalate

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How does KAYEXALATE lower potassium?

"Kayexalate is a drug that is used to treat hyperkalemia by exchanging sodium for potassium in the colon and excreting potassium from the body. This drug has been used to treat hyperkalemia for decades and is still a standard part of treatment for this condition."

Answered by AI

Does KAYEXALATE make you poop?

"Such trials would also assess patient-centric outcomes since hyperkalemia is often well-tolerated in chronic renal dysfunction while the side effects of Kayexalate plus sorbitol (diarrhea) are quite unpleasant."

Answered by AI

What is KAYEXALATE used for?

"This medication is designed to lower potassium levels in the blood. High potassium levels can sometimes lead to heart rhythm problems. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate helps the body remove excess potassium."

Answered by AI

When do you give KAYEXALATE?

"Administer KAYEXALATE at least 3 hours before or 3 hours after other oral medications. Patients with gastroparesis may require a 6 hour separation. Monitor clinical response and/or blood levels where possible."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Kayexalate

Image of Seven Oaks General Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre in Winnipeg, Canada.

Dietary Potassium Liberalization for Chronic Kidney Disease

18+
All Sexes
Winnipeg, Canada

The study will look at the impact of the potassium content in fruits and vegetables, on serum potassium concentrations in people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) using a randomized crossover design. Participants will receive home delivery of fruit and vegetables with either higher or lower potassium content in a random order. Clinical chemistry markers from blood and urine samples, blood pressure, physical functioning and health related quality of life will be assessed throughout the duration of the trial. This study will also measure their physical functioning, using a chair stand test. The results of this study could change the dietary recommendations for people with CKD related to potassium.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Seven Oaks General Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre (+1 Sites)

Dylan Mackay, PhD

Image of Research Site in Birmingham, United States.

SZC for Hyperkalemia

No minimum age - 18
All Sexes
Birmingham, AL

Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate has been shown to be effective and safe in adults for the treatment of hyperkalaemia, and therefore it is expected to be beneficial in children. This study will evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in children \<18 years of age. Approximately 140 participants will enter CP at approximately 46 sites in locations including but not limited to Europe and North America for this study. Treatment will include 3 phases: the CP, MP, and LTMP. Enrolment will start in 2 cohorts, ages 6 to \< 12 years and 12 to \< 18 years. After review of accumulated data, the independent Data Monitoring Committee (iDMC) will recommend whether to open enrolment in the ages 2 to \< 6 years cohort and later in the ages 0 to \< 2 years cohort. All eligible participants with hyperkalaemia will enter an open-label Correction Phase (CP) receiving a fixed dose of SZC three times daily (TID) for up to 3 days until normokalaemia is achieved. Within each age cohorts 2 to \< 18 years, initial participants will be allocated to the dose level (DL) based on body weight equivalent to an adult 5 g TID. After recommendation of higher DLs by the iDMC, subsequent participants may be allocated in the CP to on body weight equivalent to an adult 10 g TID and then potentially on body weight equivalent to an adult 15 g TID. All participants in the ages 0 to \< 2 years cohort will be assigned to the same DL which will be decided based on data from older age cohorts. Participants who successfully achieve normokalaemia in the CP will enter a 28-day open-label Maintenance Phase (MP), which will be initiated with once daily administration of the dose received TID in the CP. During MP, the Investigator is able to titrate the dose up or down in the range 2.5 g to 15 g body weight equivalent to maintain normokalaemia. For participants who, at the end of MP, are normokalaemic or hyperkalaemic without being on maximum dose, the MP is followed by the option to continue the study in a long term maintenance phase (LTMP) where the same titration regimen is used as in MP

Phase 3
Recruiting

Research Site (+9 Sites)

AstraZeneca