Drug Interactions between Kalexate and metformin

MetFORMIN should be taken with meals, and excessive alcohol intake (either short-term binge drinking or frequent consumption) should be avoided during treatment. Taking metFORMIN with alcohol may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood that can occasionally occur during treatment with metformin-containing products. Lactic acidosis is more likely to occur if you have kidney or liver disease, acute or unstable congestive heart failure, or dehydration. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop potential signs and symptoms of lactic acidosis such as fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, increasing drowsiness, abdominal pain or discomfort, slow or irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulty, chills, and other unusual symptoms. Alcohol may also affect blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. Both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur, depending on how much and how often you drink. You should avoid using alcohol if your diabetes is not well controlled or if you have high triglycerides, neuropathy (nerve damage), or pancreatitis. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels if your diabetes is under control. However, you should limit your alcohol intake due to the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin. Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach or following exercise, as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about metformin.

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Foods high in potassium such as orange juice and other fruit juices may reduce the effectiveness of sodium polystyrene sulfonate in treating your condition. Do not mix sodium polystyrene sulfonate in fruit juice or drink fruit juice with it. Also, sodium polystyrene sulfonate may interfere with the absorption of other medications that you take by mouth, including both prescription medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure/heart medications and blood thinners, and over-the-counter products such as antacids and laxatives. This can lead to lower blood levels and reduced effects if you take them too closely together with sodium polystyrene sulfonate. It is recommended that you separate the dosing of sodium polystyrene sulfonate from other oral medications by at least 3 hours whenever possible. This interval should be increased to 6 hours if you have gastroparesis or other conditions that cause delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the intestine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

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Sodium polystyrene sulfonate can bind to calcium, iron, magnesium, and other minerals in the gastrointestinal tract. This may inactivate both sodium polystyrene sulfonate and the mineral it binds to and reduce the effectiveness of both medications. To avoid or minimize the interaction, the dosing times of sodium polystyrene sulfonate and multivitamin with minerals should be separated by several hours. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns, or if you have trouble separating the dosing times. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

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