Drug Interactions between Kalexate and Veltassa

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.

Patiromer may bind to many different oral medications in the gastrointestinal tract and reduce their absorption into the blood stream. The effectiveness of some oral medications may be decreased when taken with patiromer. To minimize the possibility of interaction, it is recommended that you separate the dosing times of patiromer and any oral medication you take by at least three hours. Talk to your doctor if you are unable to do so or if you have other questions or concerns. 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.

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.

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'potassium-removing resins' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'potassium-removing resins' category:

• Kalexate (sodium polystyrene sulfonate)
• Veltassa (patiromer)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.