Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Hyperkalemia

Treatment

4 Active Studies for Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

What is Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Tolevamer

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a medication used to lower high levels of potassium in the body. It can be taken orally or as an enema in the form of a rectal solution. The drug works by attaching to potassium in the intestines and prevents it from being absorbed. Additionally, sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a microbicide and spermicide, helping to prevent the spread of HIV and other infections.

Kayexalate

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Kayexalate

Tolevamer

1958

34

Effectiveness

How Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Affects Patients

Polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood (also known as hyperkalemia). It works by controlling the amount of sodium and potassium that is exchanged in the body. It comes in two forms, either to be taken orally (25 g in 20% sorbitol) or rectally (50 g in 20% sorbitol).

How Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate works in the body

Polystyrene sulfonate binds to potassium in the body and carries it out in the feces. This prevents the potassium from being absorbed into the blood, reducing the overall level of potassium in the body.

When to interrupt dosage

The quantity of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate is contingent upon the diagnosed state. The amount of dosage can be found in the table below, based on the modality of administration.

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 Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate.

Common Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate 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.

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Signs of an overdose on this drug can include confusion, moodiness, difficulty focusing, weak muscles, or difficulty breathing.

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

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate?

Currently, there are 7 active studies assessing the potential of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate to treat Hyperkalemia.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Hyperkalemia

4 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 1

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Reviews: What are patients saying about Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate?

5

Patient Review

2/28/2018

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

The medication works as prescribed. The texture of this drug is like liquid sand but the taste makes it okay to drink. The next day I have a bout of diarrhea that lasts about 5-6 hours. I will continue to take this medicine because it has very few side effects

4.3

Patient Review

5/18/2009

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I've been taking this medication every two weeks and it has helped to lower my potassium levels. I was also having pain in my kidneys, but that seems to have gone away as well. Thank you!

4

Patient Review

2/20/2010

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I've just started this treatment, but so far it's been going well.

4

Patient Review

6/30/2009

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

This medication really helped with my constipation.

3.7

Patient Review

11/7/2015

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I have to take this drug even though I hate the taste, because it helps me regulate my blood sugar levels as a diabetic. Just be aware that you shouldn't take it at the same time as other medications.

3.3

Patient Review

11/23/2015

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I'm 73 years old and female, so I can't speak to the effects this might have on someone in my demographic. That being said, I'm leery of taking it because of all the other medications I am currently taking (14, total). Additionally, I had a double bypass two years ago. Side effects are always a concern for me, especially given my age and preexisting health conditions.

2.7

Patient Review

6/7/2009

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

This medication quickly lowers potassium levels in the blood, which can be dangerous. Be sure to monitor your intake of potassium-rich foods if you're taking this medication.

2.3

Patient Review

5/23/2008

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about sodium polystyrene sulfonate

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

What should I check before giving sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

"Be sure to mention any of the following before taking or receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate: antacids, antibiotics taken by mouth; anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); digoxin (Lanoxin); laxatives; lithium (Lithobid); or thyroxine."

Answered by AI

Is sodium polystyrene sulfonate the same as Kayexalate?

"Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is available as the brand name Kayexalate, as well as generic brands, both branded and non-branded. For patients taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate orally, it is recommended that they take their medicine either 3 hours before or 3 hours after taking the sulfonate."

Answered by AI

How does polystyrene sulfonate work?

"Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation-exchange resin that is taken orally to reduce high levels of potassium in the blood. It exchanges sodium ions for potassium ions in the intestine, removing potassium from the body."

Answered by AI

What is the side effect of sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

"Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or loss of appetite."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

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