This category formerly consisted solely of polystyrene sulfonate, a polyanionic resin attached to a cation, administered either orally or by retention enema to patients who are at risk of developing hyperkalaemia (abnormal high serum potassium levels).
As kidney failure progresses, with a consequent decline of excretory function, potassium is likely to accumulate with probable harmful effects on the cellular membrane potential and cardiac arrhythmias as the primary symptom.
[2] The mainstay of the treatment for chronic kidney disease patients is potassium removal through the dialysis procedure.
However, dietary restrictions and pharmaceutical therapy with potassium binders are important complementary treatment options.
Cases of colonic necrosis have been reported, particularly when sodium polystyrene sulfonate was used in combination with the laxative sorbitol.