Calcium Resonium (Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Calcium Resonium Used For?
Calcium Resonium is a medication that helps your body get rid of too much potassium in your blood, which can be dangerous if left untreated.
Primary Uses
Calcium Resonium is used to help remove excessive amounts of potassium from the blood when levels become dangerously high.
How It Works
The calcium in Calcium Resonium swaps places with potassium in your body, particularly in the large intestine. The medication doesn’t enter your bloodstream – instead, it passes through your digestive system and is eliminated with the potassium in your stool.
Good to know: Calcium Resonium works locally in your intestines and doesn’t enter your bloodstream
How to Take Calcium Resonium
Calcium Resonium can be taken by mouth or given rectally. Your doctor will determine the exact amount you need based on your potassium levels.
Dosage Instructions
For oral use: Adults typically take 15g three to four times daily (the provided spoon holds 15g when filled level). Children receive 1g per kg of body weight in divided doses. Mix the powder with a small amount of water (3-4 mL per gram) or sweetened liquid, but never with fruit juices. Take at least 3 hours before or after other oral medications. For rectal use: Adults receive 30g in 150 mL of water or 10% dextrose as a retention enema. Lower doses are used for infants and children. For newborns, only rectal administration is used with doses of 0.5-1g per kg of body weight.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, don’t try to make up for it by taking more than one dose at a time. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take Calcium Resonium with fruit juices or sorbitol, and always space it at least 3 hours from other oral medications
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation
- diarrhea
- muscle cramps
- loss of appetite
- stomach irritation
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- swelling of face, lips, mouth or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- hives
- fainting
- severe stomach pain
- rectal pain
- bloating
- severe constipation
- severe nausea and vomiting
- black, bloody or tarry stools
- coughing up blood
- vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Calcium Resonium should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Calcium Resonium
Do not use if you are allergic to calcium polystyrene sulfonate, have a bowel obstruction, high calcium levels in blood, high parathyroid hormone levels, multiple myeloma or sarcoidosis, or low potassium levels (less than 5 mmol/L).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have thyroid conditions, constipation, delayed gastric emptying, abnormal bowel movements, bone marrow disorders or tumors. Special caution is needed if you’re taking sorbitol, as combining it with Calcium Resonium can cause serious gut damage.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Calcium Resonium if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Like most medicines of this type, it’s not recommended during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, stop immediately and contact your doctor.
Newborn Safety: Never give oral Calcium Resonium to newborn babies as it can cause bowel obstruction – only rectal administration is safe for newborns
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with how Calcium Resonium works, so it’s important to tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Sorbitol Warning: Never take sorbitol while using Calcium Resonium as this combination can cause serious gut damage including narrowing and reduced blood flow
- sorbitol (must never be taken together)
- digoxin (heart medication)
- laxatives
- thyroxine (thyroid medication)
- lithium (bipolar disorder medication)
- antacids containing aluminum or magnesium
Alcohol & Driving
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol consumption or driving restrictions while taking Calcium Resonium.
Storage
Keep Calcium Resonium in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – don’t keep it in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. Once mixed with liquid, use immediately or store for no longer than 24 hours.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Calcium Resonium, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Large doses can cause serious potassium deficiency, leading to irritability, confusion, muscle weakness, diminished reflexes, or paralysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works by binding potassium in your intestines and removing it through your stool. Your doctor will regularly monitor your blood potassium levels to see how well it’s working.
Yes, you can take it with food, but never mix it with fruit juices as they contain potassium. You can mix it with sweetened liquids, jam, or honey, especially for children.
Don’t try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one dose at a time. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Never double dose.
Fruit juices contain potassium, which would work against the medication’s purpose of removing excess potassium from your body.
Mix the powder with a small amount of water (3-4 mL per gram of powder) or sweetened liquid. Use the mixture immediately, or store for no longer than 24 hours if needed.
Take Calcium Resonium at least 3 hours before or after other oral medications to prevent it from interfering with their absorption.
Never stop taking Calcium Resonium or change the dosage without checking with your doctor first, as this could cause dangerous changes in your potassium levels.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.