Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)

Category:

Electrolyte and water

Description:

Electrolyte and renal agent

Indications:

Hyperkalemia

Contraindications:

Hypokalemia
Hypocalcemia

Precautions:

Pregnancy category A
Pregnacy
Sodium restriction

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

anorexia, bowel necrosis, bowel obstruction, constipation, diarrhea
hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, nausea, vomiting
sodium retention

Dosage:

Administered orally, rectally: Dose individualized depending on the daily assessment of total body potassium

Adult:
- PO 15g (about 4 teaspoonsful of the powder or 60 ml of the commercially available suspension) 1-4 times daily
Child:
- PO 1 g/kg every 6 hours as needed
Note: Each dose of the powdered resin is usually given PO as a suspension in water or in a syrup such as sorbitol. The amount of fluid may range 20-100 ml, depending upon the dose, or 3-4 ml per gram of resin. Suspensions should be freshly prepared and not stored longer than 24 hours. The powder should not be mixed with liquids that contain large amounts of potassium, such as orange juice.
Adult:
- PR 30-50 grams as retention enema every 1-2 hours initially as needed and then every 6 hours
Child:
- PR 1 g/kg every 2-6 hours as required

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300