Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate

The proposed dosage of Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate can be given by mouth or in the rectum. The amount of medicine you need to take will depend upon the amount of potassium in your blood.

Oral dose for Adults: The usual dose is 15 g given 3 or 4 times a day. The resin is given by mouth as a suspension in a small amount of water (3-4 mL/g of resin), or it may be mixed with sweetened liquid (but not fruit juices, which contain potassium).

Oral dose for Children: The usual dose is 1 g/kg of body weight in split doses. Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate powder is usually given by mouth as a suspension in a small amount of water (3-4 mL/g of powder), or it may be mixed with a sweetened liquid (but not fruit juices, which contain potassium). For children, dose is preferably given through a drink (not a fruit juice due to high potassium content) or with a little jam or honey. Do not take calcium polystyrene sulphonate with fruit juices or sorbitol.

Rectal Dose for Adults: In cases where vomiting or upper gastrointestinal complications, including paralytic ileus, may make oral administration tough, the resin can be given rectally in a suspension of 30g resin in 150mL water or 10 percent dextrose in water, given as a daily retention enema. In the earlier stages, administration by this route as well as orally may help to achieve a more rapid lowering of the serum potassium level.
The enema should if possible be retained for at least 9 hours, following which the colon needs to be irrigated to eliminate the resin. In case both routes are used initially, it is perhaps unnecessary to continue rectal administration once the oral resin has reached the rectum.

Rectal Dose for Infants & children: Lower dosages are usually recommended.

Rectal Dose for Newborn babies (Neonates): Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate should not be given by mouth. With rectal administration the minimum effective dose range 0.5 to 1 g/kg should be used. This enema needs to be retained for at least 9-hours. Afterwards the colon needs to be irrigated to remove the Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate. Enema is usually given by a health specialist.

The most commonly reported Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate side effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite.

• The use of calcium polystyrene sulfonate powder is restricted in patients with Hypersensitivity to polystyrene sulfonate resins, Obstructive bowel disease, and Neonates with reduced gut motility.
• Regular check-up of potassium, calcium and magnesium levels in the blood is required. The health specialist may change or stop the dose depending on what the results of these blood tests are.
• Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate may bind orally administered drugs, which could reduce their gastrointestinal absorption and lead to reduced efficacy. Administer other oral medicines at least 3 hours prior to or 3 hours after Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate. Patients with gastroparesis may need a 6 hour separation.
• Do not take calcium polystyrene sulfonate 5g in case you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, and in case you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
• Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate is a powder, so be careful not to inhale it accidentally. Breathing in the powder may be responsible for causing shortness of breath and coughing.

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F – 86°F).
Store this medication away from moisture and heat.