Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate belongs to a group of medicines called ‘ion exchange resins’. Kalemic is used to treat ‘hyperkalaemia’. This is when there is too much potassium in your blood. It works by removing this extra potassium to bring your levels back to normal. It is often given to people who have kidney problems and people on dialysis. 

Your doctor or nurse will normally give you this medicine. If you are not sure why you are being given Kalemic or have any questions about how much Kalemic is being given to you, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. 

• The dose will depend on the results of blood tests. 
• For children the dose is also worked out according to how much the child weighs. 

Methods: Kalemic can be given orally by dispersing it in a glass of water. It should not be mixed with fruit juice, this will stop the medicine working properly. 

Kalemic should be given at least 3 hours before or after other oral medications. For patients with a disease of the muscles of the stomach (Gastroparesis) a 6 hour separation should be considered. 

Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines you can buy without prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Kalemic can affect the way other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Kalemic works. 

Calcium polystyrene sulphonate has the potential to bind to other orally administered medications, which could affect how the medicine works. Dosing separation of Kalemic from other orally administered medications is recommended. 

In particular check with your doctor if you are taking the following medicines: 

• Medicines that contain salts such as magnesium, potassium or calcium. Ask your doctor if you are not sure 
• Some medicines for constipation (laxatives) that contain magnesium. 
• Some medicines for indigestion (antacids) that contain magnesium or aluminium 
• Digoxin or similar medicines from digitalis – for heart problems 
• Levothyroxine or thyroxine – for an under-active thyroid 
• Lithium – for mental illness If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before using Kalemic.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. 

Tell a doctor or nurse straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects: 

• You have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue 
• Severe stomach pain, rectal pain 
• Bloating, severe constipation 
• Severe nausea and vomiting 
• Black, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds 
• Blood in your vomit 

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you get any of the following side effects: 

• Feeling tired, confused, having muscle weakness, cramps or a change in heart rate. These may be due to having low levels of potassium T in your body (hypercalcemia/hypomagnesemia).
• Feeling jittery, having fits or muscle cramps. This may be due to low levels of calcium in your body 
• Increased thirst or needing to go to the toilet more often 
• High blood pressure, kidney problems, heart problems or swelling in your limbs. This may be due to high levels of sodium in your body 
• Stomach upset, pain in your gut or blockage of the gut 
• Loss of appetite 
• Feeling sick, being sick, constipation or diarrhea 
• Intestinal Necrosis 
• Feeling short of breath or coughing. This could be the first sign of a serious chest infection. This can be caused by accidentally breathing in this medicine 

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if any of the side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet. 

Do not take Kalemic if: 

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to calcium polystyrene sulphonate.
  Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue 
• You have been told that you have a low level of potassium in your blood. 
• You have been told you have problems that result in high levels of calcium in your body such as thyroid problems or some types of cancer. 
• Your gut is partially or completely blocked (obstructive bowel disease). 
• You are taking a sweetener called sorbitol (used to sweeten food).
  This is because taking sorbitol and Calcium Polystyrene sulphonate at the same time can damage your gastrointestinal tract which may be fatal. 

Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before using Kalemic. 

Warnings and precautions: 

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Kalemic if: 

• You have abnormal bowel movements due to your medical condition (including conditions after surgery or drug usage) as these may cause a variety of disorders including bloating, severe constipation, reduced blood supply to your gut or ruptured bowel. 
• It is for your baby, and they were premature, had a low birth-weight or have reduced gut movement. 

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before using Kalemic. 

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility: 

Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if: 

• You are pregnant, might become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant. 
• You are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. 

Driving and using machines: This medicine will not affect your ability to drive, use tools or use machines.