Kionex ® Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Suspension USP

Kionex^®(Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Suspension USP) can be administered orally or in an enema. It is a raspberry-flavored suspension containing 15 grams of cation-exchange resin (Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate USP); 21.5 mL of Sorbitol Solution USP (equivalent to approximately 19.3 grams of Sorbitol); 0.12 mL (0.2%) of Alcohol per 60 mL of suspension. Also contains Purified Water USP, Propylene Glycol USP, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate NF, Xanthan Gum NF, Sodium Saccharin USP, Sorbic Acid NF, Methylparaben NF, Propylparaben NF, and flavor.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a benzene, diethenyl-, polymer with ethenylbenzene, sulfonated, sodium salt and has the following structural formula:

The sodium content of the suspension is 1500 mg (65 mEq) per 60 mL. It is a brown, slightly viscous suspension with an in vitro exchange capacity of approximately 3.1 mEq (in vivo approximately 1 mEq) of potassium per 4 mL (1 gram) of suspension. It can be administered orally or in an enema.

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. For the most part, this action occurs 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. It commonly approximates the order of 33%, but the range is so large that definitive indices of electrolyte balance must be clearly monitored.

Metabolic data are unavailable.

Kionex^®Suspension is indicated for the treatment of hyperkalemia.

Kionex^®Suspension is contraindicated in the following conditions: patients with hypokalemia, patients with a history of hypersensitivity to polystyrene sulfonate resins, obstructive bowel disease, oral or rectal administration in neonates (particularily in premature infants), and in any post-operative patient until normal bowel function resumes (see PRECAUTIONS).

Caution is advised when sodium polystyrene sulfonate 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.

Caution is advised when Kionex^®Suspension is administered to patients with end stage diabetic renal disease.

Kionex^®Suspension should not be administered to patients following surgery until normal bowel function resumes.

Precautions should be taken to ensure the use of adequate volumes of sodium-free cleansing enemas after rectal administration.

In the event of clinically significant constipation, treatment with Kionex^®Suspension should be discontinued until normal bowel motion is resumed. Magnesium-containing laxatives should not be used (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions).

Kionex^®Suspension 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 may occur. (See WARNINGS) Occasionally diarrhea develops. Large doses in elderly individuals may cause fecal impaction (See PRECAUTIONS). Rare instances of colonic necrosis have been reported. Intestinal obstruction due to concretions of aluminum hydroxide, when used in combination with sodium polystyrene sulfonate, has been reported.

The following events have been reported from worldwide post marketing experience with sodium polystyrene sulfonate powder:

• fecal impaction following rectal administration, particularly in children;
• gastrointestinal concretions (bezoars) following oral administration;
• gastrointestinal tract ulceration or necrosis which could lead to intestinal perforation; and,
• rare cases of acute bronchitis and/or bronchopneumonia associated with inhalation of particles of polystyrene sulfonate.

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 into frank paralysis and/or apnea.

Electrocardiographic changes may be consistent with hypokalemia or hypercalcemia; cardiac arrhythmias may occur. Appropriate measures should be taken to correct serum electrolytes (potassium, calcium), and the resin should be removed from the alimentary tract by appropriate use of laxatives or enemas.

The average daily adult dose is 15 g (60 mL) to 60 g (240 mL) of suspension. This is best provided by administering 15 g (60 mL) of Kionex^®Suspension one to four times daily. Each 60 mL of Kionex^®Suspension contains 1500 mg (65 mEq) of sodium. Since the in vivo efficiency of sodium-potassium exchange resins is approximately 33%, about one-third of the resin's actual sodium content is being delivered to the body.

In smaller children and infants, lower doses should be employed by using as a guide a rate of 1 mEq of potassium per gram of resin as the basis for calculation.

Kionex^®Suspension may be introduced into the stomach through a plastic tube and, if desired, given with a diet appropriate for a patient in renal failure.

Kionex^®Suspension may also be given, although with less effective results, as an enema consisting (for adults) of 30 g (120 mL) to 50 g (200 mL) every six hours. The enema should be retained as long as possible and followed by a cleansing enema.

After an initial cleansing enema, a soft, large size (French 28) rubber tube is inserted into the rectum for a distance of about 20 cm, with the tip well into the sigmoid colon, and taped into place. The suspension is introduced at body temperature by gravity. The suspension is flushed with 50 or 100 mL of fluid, following which the tube is clamped and left in place. If back leakage occurs, the hips are elevated on pillows or a knee-chest position is taken temporarily. The suspension is kept in the sigmoid colon for several hours, if possible. Then the colon is irrigated with a sodium-free cleansing enema at body temperature in order to remove the resin. Two quarts of flushing solution may be necessary. The returns are drained constantly through a Y tube connection. Particular attention should be paid to the cleansing enema, because sorbitol is present in the vehicle.

The intensity and duration of therapy depend upon the severity and resistance of hyperkalemia.

Kionex^®Suspension should not be heated for to do so may alter the exchange properties of the resin.

Kionex^®Suspension is a light brown, raspberry-flavored suspension supplied in pint (473 mL) bottles (NDC 0574-2002-16) and 60 mL unit dose bottles (NDC 0574-2002-02).

Dispense in a tight container, as defined in the USP. If repackaging into other containers, store in refrigerator and use within 14 days of packaging.

SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING.

Manufactured By
Perrigo^®
Minneapolis, MN 55427
2124136     (01-12)

Rx Only

NDC 0574-2002-02

Kionex^®
Sodium Polystyrene
Sulfonate Suspension, USP
15 g/60 mL
For Oral or Rectal Use
Shake Well

60 mL

Perrigo^®

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