Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 31, 2025.

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

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child closely to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, dry mouth, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, irritability, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, or trouble breathing.

This medicine may cause a serious stomach or bowel problem, called intestinal necrosis. This is more likely to occur if you have a history of bowel disease, bowel surgery, low blood volume, kidney problems or if you take sorbitol together with this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have severe constipation, severe stomach pain, bloody, black, or tarry stools, or vomit blood or a material that looks like coffee grounds.

Tell your doctor if you have unexplained weight gain or edema (fluid retention or body swelling) while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause lung or breathing problems (eg, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia) when you inhale its powder form. It may also increase your risk of having aspiration. Take this medicine in an upright position to prevent this. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

If you are taking aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids or laxatives, talk to your doctor first before using them together with sodium polystyrene sulfonate. These medicines may keep sodium polystyrene sulfonate from working properly and may cause serious side effects.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, sodium polystyrene sulfonate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate:

Symptoms of overdose

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

For healthcare professionals

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

Gastrointestinal adverse events

• 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]

See also:

Further information

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer