Kalquest Special Precautions

Sorbitol: Gastrointestinal stenosis, intestinal ischemia and its complications (necrosis and perforation) may occur in patients treated with polystyrene sulfonate, especially in patients using sorbitol. Therefore concomitant use of Sorbitol with calcium polystyrene sulfonate is not recommended.
Hypokalaemia: The possibility of severe potassium depletion should be considered and adequate clinical and biochemical control is essential during treatment, especially in patients on digitalis. Administration of the resin should be stopped when the serum potassium falls to 5 mmol/litre.
Other electrolyte disturbances: Like all cation-exchange resins, calcium polystyrene sulfonate is not totally selective for potassium. Hypomagnesaemia and/or hypercalcaemia may occur. Accordingly, patients should be monitored for all applicable electrolyte disturbances. Serum calcium levels should be estimated at weekly intervals to detect the early development of hypercalcaemia, and the dose of resin adjusted to levels at which hypercalcaemia and hypokalaemia are prevented.
Other risks: In the event of clinically significant constipation, treatment should be discontinued until normal bowel movement has resumed. Magnesium containing laxatives should not be used. The patient should be positioned carefully when ingesting the resin, to avoid aspiration, which may lead to bronchopulmonary complications.
Use in Children and neonates: In neonates, calcium polystyrene sulfonate should not be given by the oral route. Due to the risk of digestive haemorrhage or colonic necrosis, particular care should be observed in premature infants or low birth weight infants.