sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal

SOE-dee-um pol-ee-STYE-reen SUL-foe-nate

Available Dosage Forms:

• Enema

Therapeutic Class: Exchange Resin

Uses For sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood, also called hyperkalemia.

sodium polystyrene sulfonate is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using sodium polystyrene sulfonate

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For sodium polystyrene sulfonate, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sodium polystyrene sulfonate or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate in the pediatric population. However, pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sodium polystyrene sulfonate in children are not expected.

sodium polystyrene sulfonate should be used with caution in newborn infants who have reduced or slow bowel movements.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate in geriatric patients.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using sodium polystyrene sulfonate with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Sorbitol

Using sodium polystyrene sulfonate with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Levothyroxine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bowel blockage or


• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Congestive heart failure, severe or


• Edema (fluid retention) or


• Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia, QT prolongation) or


• Hypertension (high blood pressure), severe or


• Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood) or


• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or


• Stomach or bowel problems (e.g., bleeding, colitis, constipation, perforation)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper Use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you sodium polystyrene sulfonate in a hospital. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is given as a rectal enema.

Precautions While Using sodium polystyrene sulfonate

It is very important that your doctor check you closely to make sure that sodium polystyrene sulfonate is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: confusion, dry mouth, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, irritability, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, or shortness of breath.

If you are taking aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids or laxatives, tell your doctor before using sodium polystyrene sulfonate. These medicines may keep sodium polystyrene sulfonate from working properly and may cause serious side effects.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

sodium polystyrene sulfonate Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Bloody vomit


• chest pain


• cough


• cough producing mucus


• difficulty with breathing


• fever or chills


• severe stomach pain


• shortness of breath


• sneezing


• sore throat


• tightness in the chest


• troubled breathing


• wheezing

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain


• confusion


• constipation


• convulsions


• decrease in the amount of urine


• diarrhea


• dry mouth


• increased thirst


• irregular heartbeats


• loss of appetite


• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face


• nausea or vomiting


• noisy, rattling breathing


• numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet


• severe constipation


• swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs


• tremor


• troubled breathing at rest


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• weight gain


• weight loss

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Dizziness


• drowsiness


• fainting


• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat


• lightheadedness


• muscle cramps


• muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching


• pounding or rapid pulse


• seizures


• trembling

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

See also: sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.

More sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal resources

• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal Side Effects (in more detail)
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal Drug Interactions
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal - Add your own review/rating

Compare sodium polystyrene sulfonate Rectal with other medications

• Hyperkalemia