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What is the most important information I should know about sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can be given as a liquid by mouth, through a stomach feeding tube, or as a rectal enema. This medication is usually given 1 to 4 times daily by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting.

If possible, before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you have a bowel obstruction, low blood levels of potassium, heart disease or high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, edema (water weight gain), kidney disease, or if you are constipated or on a low-salt diet.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with sodium polystyrene sulfonate to tell your caregivers about any health conditions you have or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However, make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received this medication.

Tell your caregivers right away if you have any signs that your potassium level is getting too low, such as: pain or fluttering in your chest, uneven heartbeats, feeling irritable or confused, severe muscle weakness, breathing problems, or inability to move your muscles.

Tell your doctor if you also take digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), thyroxine, or a diuretic (water pill).

Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium or calcium supplements unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid using antacids or laxatives without your doctor's advice.

You will need to keep using this medication even if you feel fine. Hyperkalemia often has no symptoms that you will notice.

What is sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate affects the exchange of sodium and potassium in the body.

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

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to sodium polystyrene sulfonate, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

• low potassium levels (hypokalemia); or

• a bowel obstruction.

Before receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• congestive heart failure;

• edema (water weight gain);

• kidney disease;

• constipation; or

• if you are on a low-salt diet.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use sodium polystyrene sulfonate, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before treatment to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However, make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received this medication.