Drug Interaction Report

By lowering potassium levels in the blood, sodium polystyrene sulfonate may increase sensitivity of the heart to the effects of digoxin. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Let your doctor know if you experience dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, constipation, abdominal cramping, confusion, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, or rapid heart beat, as these may be early symptoms of low potassium blood levels. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs and symptoms that may indicate excessive effects of digoxin, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, visual disturbances (blurred vision; light halos around objects; green or yellow vision), or an abnormally fast or slow or uneven heartbeat. 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.

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.

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.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.