Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Description

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate is used in the treatment of hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium levels) associated with kidney conditions such as anuria (inability of the kidney to produce urine) or severe oliguria (inability of the kidney to excrete the urine), etc. It is also used to reduce high blood potassium levels if you are undergoing regular dialysis (a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly). It works by removing an excessive amount of potassium from your body. Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate shows common side effects such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhoea. These side effects usually subside with time. However, if they persist or worsen, consult your doctor for further assistance. Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate may be mixed with a small amount of water and consumed. Take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Take the medicine at the same time daily for the ease of remembering. Avoid taking the medicine with fruit juice (orange juice) and some carbonated beverages as they may contain potassium. Avoid inhaling the powder as it can cause shortness of breath and coughing. Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Avoid taking the medicine if you have an intestinal obstruction (when your small or large intestine is blocked preventing the passage of food and liquid through it), thyroid problems, or low blood potassium levels. Caution is required if you have severe constipation, lung kidney, or heart conditions, severe burns, fluid retention, or electrolyte imbalance. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine which suppresses your immune system. Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding only after consulting your doctor.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Hypokalaemia (low blood potassium levels)
  • Hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels)
  • Hypomagnesaemia (low blood magnesium levels)

Uses of Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate

What is it prescribed for?

  • Hyperkalaemia
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The time taken by Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate to show its effect is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Due to the lack of safety information, Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be used during pregnancy only upon your doctor's recommendation.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be used while breastfeeding only after consulting your doctor as there is no safety data available.

Allergy

Avoid taking Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Hypokalaemia

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate is not recommended if you have hypokalaemia (low blood potassium level) as it can worsen your condition.

Bowel obstruction

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate is not recommended if you have bowel obstruction (blockage in your intestine) as it can worsen your condition.

Breast cancer with hypercalcemia

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate is not recommended if you have conditions associated with hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels) such as thyroid problems or some types of cancer.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Due to the lack of safety information, Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be used during pregnancy only upon your doctor's recommendation.

Breast-feeding

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be used while breastfeeding only after consulting your doctor as there is no safety data available.
General warnings

Electrolyte disturbances

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be used with caution if you have an electrolyte imbalance (when the levels of electrolytes in your body are either too high or too low). Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Administration of other medicines

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate may bind with other medicines taken orally, which could decrease their effect or cause side effects. Hence, this medicine should be administered at least three hours before or three hours after taking other medicines orally. Time duration of six hours should be maintained between the administration of this medicine and other oral medicines in case you have delayed stomach emptying.

Use in neonates

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should not be given to neonates.

Severe burns

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be used with caution if you have severe burns. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Kidney and heart condition

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be used with caution if you have a kidney or heart condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Do not miss the dose of Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Do not take more than the recommended dose of Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Thyroxine

Lithium

Sorbitol

Digitalic drugs

Disease interactions

Constipation

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be taken with caution if you have severe constipation. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Breathing, lung or chest condition

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate should be used with caution if you have lung conditions. Accidental inhalation of this medicine may cause acute bronchitis (swelling of the tubes that carry air to your lungs) and/or pneumonia (a lung infection). Maintain caution not to inhale the medicine when ingesting it.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Do not take any fruit juice having high potassium levels such as orange juice. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may suggest tests for regular monitoring of your electrolyte level during treatment with this medicine.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate works by removing excess blood potassium levels from the body.
Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Cation exchange resin

Schedule

Schedule H

Products.sanofi.ca. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 18 July 2022].

https://products.sanofi.ca/en/resonium-calcium.pdf

Medsafe.govt.nz. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 18 July 2022].

https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/c/CalciumResoniumpowd.pdf

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Information on this page was last updated on 29 Aug 2022

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.