Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

General

• Type:
• Dosage Forms:
• Common Trade Names: Kayexalate

Adult Dosing

Hyperkalemia

• 30 gm oral or per rectum

Pediatric Dosing

• >1mo: 1 g/kg PO or PR q6hr PRN

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: B
• Lactation: Not absorbed systemically so infant risk minimal
• Renal Dosing
  • Adult
  • Pediatric
• Hepatic Dosing
  • Adult
  • Pediatric

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Hypokalemia
• Obstructive bowel disease, reduced gut motility
• Rectal administration in neonates, particularly if premature

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• Intestinal necrosis, ulceration, perforation, fecal impaction
• Bezoars

Common

• Abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, constipation, GI disturbance
• Hypokalemia
• Hypocalcemia
• Hypomagnesemia
• Sodium retention

Pharmacology

• Half-life:
• Metabolism:
• Excretion:
• Mechanism of Action: Cation exchange resin, sodium ions partially released from polystyrene and replaced by potassium

See Also

• Alternative Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (Lokelma)