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The Daily Insight

Is Kayexalate discontinued

Author

Dylan Hughes

Published Mar 29, 2026

The Kayexalate brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.

Is Kayexalate still available?

All of the above formulations have been discontinued. Note: Fraudulent online pharmacies may attempt to sell an illegal generic version of Kayexalate. These medications may be counterfeit and potentially unsafe. If you purchase medications online, be sure you are buying from a reputable and valid online pharmacy.

Is sodium polystyrene sulfonate available?

CMP Pharma has all presentations of the suspension available. Hikma is not currently marketing sodium polystyrene sulfonate suspension. Perrigo divested Kionex suspension and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (sorbitol-free) suspension to ANI pharmaceuticals.

What can I use instead of Kayexalate?

The FDA approved oral sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (ZS-9), to be marketed as Lokelma, for the treatment of hyperkalemia. The drug seems to work better than sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate), reducing serum potassium levels within an hour and restoring normal levels after about 2 hours in most patients.

Do you need a prescription for Kayexalate?

Kayexalate is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Hyperkalemia.

Is Kayexalate generic?

Generic Name: sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

Is Kayexalate available in the US?

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Mar 25, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum. The Kayexalate brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.

When do you recheck potassium after kayexalate?

Many of us were taught that if you give a patient a dose of kayexalate, you should expect there serum potassium to drop by 0.5 – 1.0 mEq in 4-6 hours. Findings: All patients in both groups had decreased serum potassium levels at 5 days.

What drug lowers potassium?

  • Water pills (diuretics), which rid the body of extra fluids and remove potassium through urine.
  • Sodium bicarbonate, which temporarily shifts potassium into body cells.
  • Albuterol, which raises blood insulin levels and shifts potassium into body cells.
When do you give kayexalate?

Administer KAYEXALATE at least 3 hours before or 3 hours after other oral medications. For patients with gastroparesis, a 6-hour separation should be considered (see WARNINGS and DRUG INTERACTIONS). The resin may be introduced into the stomach through a plastic tube.

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What is another name for sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

Brand names for sodium polystyrene sulfonate-powder are Kalexate, Kayexalate, Kionex, and SP.

Why is sodium polystyrene sulfonate prescribed?

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

What drug class is sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is in a class of medications called potassium-removing agents. It works by removing excess potassium from the body.

Does Kayexalate give you diarrhea?

KAYEXALATE may cause some degree of gastric irritation. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and constipation may occur especially if high doses are given. Also, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and significant sodium retention, and their related clinical manifestations, may occur (see WARNINGS). Occasionally diarrhea develops.

Does Kayexalate induce diarrhea?

Cases have been diagnosed from hours to several days after drug administration and over a range of doses. Patients typically report abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and/or hematochezia.

What is Kayexalate the antidote for?

This medication is used to treat a high level of potassium in your blood. Too much potassium in your blood can sometimes cause heart rhythm problems. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate works by helping your body get rid of extra potassium.

What is the price of Kayexalate?

The cost for Kayexalate oral and rectal powder – is around $804 for a supply of 453.6 grams, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans. A generic version of Kayexalate is available, see sodium polystyrene sulfonate prices.

How often can Kayexalate be given?

2.2 Recommended Dosage The average total daily adult dose of KAYEXALATE is 15 g to 60 g, administered as a 15-g dose (four level teaspoons), one to four times daily. The average adult dose is 30 g to 50 g every six hours.

Does Kayexalate cause black stool?

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: severe constipation, bloating/swelling/pain in the stomach/abdomen, black/bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, inability to move your muscles (paralysis), seizures. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

Is Koinex the same as Kayexalate?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS), sold under the brand names Kayexalate and Kionex, is a potassium-binding resin that has been in use in the United States since 1975.

How do you get prescribed Kayexalate?

2.3 Preparation and Administration One level teaspoon contains approximately 3.5 g of Kayexalate and 15 mEq of sodium. Suspend each dose in a small quantity of water or syrup, approximately 3 to 4 mL of liquid per gram of resin. Administer with patient in an upright position [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

Who manufactures Kayexalate?

If the studies conducted by the Kayexalate manufacturer, Concordia Pharmaceuticals, confirm significant interactions with other medications, the FDA will require all manufacturers of sodium polystyrene sulfonate products to update the drug labels to include information about these drug interactions.

Can drinking lots of water lower potassium levels?

Excessive water consumption may lead to depletion of potassium, which is an essential nutrient. This may cause symptoms like leg pain, irritation, chest pain, et al. 6. It may also cause too much urination; when you drink lots of water at once, you tend to urinate frequently.

What are signs that your potassium is high?

  • Abdominal (belly) pain and diarrhea.
  • Chest pain.
  • Heart palpitations or arrhythmia (irregular, fast or fluttering heartbeat).
  • Muscle weakness or numbness in limbs.
  • Nausea and vomiting.

How do you flush excess potassium?

  1. Water pills (diuretics) help rid your body of extra potassium. They work by making your kidney create more urine. Potassium is normally removed through urine.
  2. Potassium binders often come in the form of a powder. They are mixed with a small amount of water and taken with food.

Can hyperkalemia be cured?

Mild hyperkalemia is usually treated without hospitalization especially if the patient is otherwise healthy, the ECG is normal, and there are no other associated conditions such as acidosis and worsening kidney function. Emergency treatment is necessary if hyperkalemia is severe and has caused changes in the ECG.

Can you give Kayexalate in ESRD?

Management of hyperkalemia is dependent upon the extent of potassium increase and associated patient symptoms. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) (Kayexalate®) is a cation exchange resin that trades sodium ions for potassium ions, mostly in the large intestine, to enhance the fecal elimination of excess potassium.

What does calcium gluconate do to the heart?

Rapid intravenous injections of calcium gluconate may cause hypercalcaemia, which can result in vasodilation, cardiac arrhythmias, decreased blood pressure, and bradycardia. Extravasation of calcium gluconate can lead to cellulitis.

Why is Kayexalate given with sorbitol?

Background: Kayexalate (sodium polystyrene sulphonate) in sorbitol is commonly used to treat hyperkalemia in patients with renal insufficiency. Isolated case reports and one recent large series have documented intestinal necrosis following administration of kayexalate in sorbitol.

How do you take ODAN sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

  1. Take this medication by mouth, or use it rectally as directed by your doctor.
  2. If you are taking this medication by mouth, take it usually 1 to 4 times a day as directed by your doctor. …
  3. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may decrease your absorption of other medications.

When is the best time to take sodium polystyrene sulfonate?

Shake the bottle of medicine well just before each use. Take this medicine at least 3 hours before or after taking other oral medicines. If your stomach takes too long to empty food (gastroparesis), take this medicine 6 hours before or after other oral medicines.