Sodium polystyrene sulfonate Side Effects

For the Consumer

Applies to sodium polystyrene sulfonate: oral powder for suspension, oral suspension

As well as its needed effects, sodium polystyrene sulfonate may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate, check with your doctor immediately:

• Bloody vomit
• chest pain
• cough
• cough producing mucus
• difficulty with breathing
• fever or chills
• severe stomach pain
• shortness of breath
• sneezing
• sore throat
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing
• wheezing

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
• confusion
• constipation
• convulsions
• decrease in the amount of urine
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeats
• loss of appetite
• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• nausea or vomiting
• noisy, rattling breathing
• numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
• severe constipation
• swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
• tremor
• troubled breathing at rest
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight gain
• weight loss

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate, get emergency help immediately:

• Dizziness
• drowsiness
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• lightheadedness
• muscle cramps
• muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
• pounding or rapid pulse
• seizures
• trembling

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to sodium polystyrene sulfonate: oral suspension, oral and rectal powder, oral and rectal suspension, rectal enema

Gastrointestinal

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Intestinal/colonic necrosis
Frequency not reported: Gastric irritation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, fecal impaction, intestinal obstruction, other serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions
Postmarketing reports: GI concretions/bezoars, ischemic colitis, GI tract ulceration, intestinal perforation, GI stenosis^[Ref]

Nausea, vomiting, and constipation have occurred, especially with high doses. In clinical trials, fecal impaction occurred in geriatric patients given large doses; children have experienced impaction with rectal administration. Following oral administration, intestinal obstruction with aluminum hydroxide concretions and bezoar formation occurred in neonates. In postmarketing reports, gastrointestinal tract ulcerations, necrosis, and ischemic colitis may have resulted in intestinal perforation.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Anorexia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, significant sodium retention^[Ref]

Nervous system

Postmarketing reports: Grand mal seizure^[Ref]

A grand mal seizure occurred in 1 patient with renal dysfunction and concomitant use of this drug and magnesium hydroxide.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Postmarketing reports: Acute bronchitis, bronchopneumonia^[Ref]

Bronchitis with/without pneumonia occurred after inhalation of particles of this drug.^[Ref]

It is possible that some side effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate may not have been reported. These can be reported to the FDA here. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.

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