Normo-K

Indicated for the treatment of hyperkalemia. (Hyperkalemia is mainly caused by Acute or Chronic Kidney Disease. Other causes may include Liver failure, Adrenal insufficiency, Use of certain drugs like ARB, ACE inhibitors, Beta blockers or Excessive use of Potassium supplements.)

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate is a non-absorbed, cation exchange polymer that contains a sodium counterion. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate increases fecal potassium excretion through binding of potassium in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Binding of potassium reduces the concentration of free potassium in the gastrointestinal lumen, resulting in a reduction of serum potassium levels. The practical exchange ratio is 1 mEq K per 1 gram of resin.

As the resin passes along the intestine or is retained in the colon after administration by enema, the sodium ions are partially released and are replaced by potassium ions. This action occurs primarily in the large intestine, which excretes potassium ions to a greater degree than does the small intestine. The efficiency of this process is limited and unpredictably variable.

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate may cause drug interactions with Antacids, Non absorbable cation-donating antacids and laxatives, Digitalis, Sorbitol, Lithium, Thyroxine.

The drug may cause some degree of gastric irritation. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and constipation may occur especially if high doses are given. Also, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and significant sodium retention, and their related clinical manifestations, may occur. Occasionally diarrhea develops. Large doses in elderly individuals may cause fecal impaction. Rare instances of colonic necrosis have been reported. Intestinal obstruction due to concretions of aluminum hydroxide, when used in combination with such resin has been reported.

Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate. It is also not known whether it can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. It should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when this product is administered to a nursing woman.

Caution is advised when this product is administered to patients who cannot tolerate even a small increase in sodium loads (i.e., severe congestive heart failure, severe hypertension, or marked edema). In such instances compensatory restriction of sodium intake from other sources may be indicated. In the event of clinically signifcant constipation, treatment with this drug should be discontinued until normal bowel motion is resumed. Magnesium-containing laxatives or sorbitol should not be used.

Calcium Regulator

Overdosage may result in electrolyte disturbances including hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Biochemical disturbances resulting from overdosage may give rise to clinical signs and symptoms of hypokalemia, including: irritability, confusion, delayed thought processes, muscle weakness, hyporeflexia, which may progress to frank paralysis and/or apnea.

Store below 30°C. Keep out of the reach of children. Suspension of this drug should be freshly prepared and not to be stored beyond 24 hours.