Resincalcium: Indications, Mechanism of Action, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings, Contraindications and Interactions

It is a cation exchange resin for oral suspension. It is a fine powder with a vanilla aroma and flavor.

Active ingredient

The active ingredient is calcium polystyrene sulfonate; it also contains other elements such as vanillin and saccharin.

Resincalcium does not contain gluten, sucrose, lactose, tartrazine, or azo dye.

Presentation

Resincalcium is a colored powder marketed in 300 g multidose bottles and a plastic dispenser that, when filled, measures 15 g of powder. It is also presented in single-dose envelopes of 15 gr each.

Indications

Resincalcium is a medicine used to help remove excess amounts of potassium from the blood.

Mechanism of action

Resincalcium contains calcium atoms. This calcium is exchanged for potassium, particularly in the large intestine.

Rescalcium acts by a cumulative process throughout the gastrointestinal tract; as the resin passes through the colon, it comes into contact with fluids containing potassium, eliminating potassium ions that are excreted in the stool.

 

Dose

Resincalcium is administered orally. The amount of resincalcium you should take will depend on the amount of potassium present in your blood.

The doctor will decide precisely how much resincalcium to take. The usual doses are:

Adults

It is recommended to administer 15 gr three to four times a day. The measuring spoon provided in the bottle contains 15 g of powder when complete.

Kids

It is recommended to administer 1 g per kilogram of body weight in divided doses daily.

Resincalcium powder is generally administered orally as a suspension in a small amount of water (3 to 4 ml per gram of powder). It can be mixed with a bit of sweetened liquid (but never fruit juices, which contain potassium).

For children, it is preferably administered with a drink or with a little jam or honey.

Once the mixture has been prepared, it should be used immediately. If it needs to be stored, it should be reserved for no more than 24 hours.

Once reconstituted, Resincalcium is a cream to light brown suspension in which small white suspended particles can be seen.

Side effects

All drugs have some unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time, they are not.

The doctor should be informed if you notice any of the following symptoms:

These are mild side effects of this drug and are generally short-lived.

But if any of the following effects occur, you should stop taking this medicine and inform your doctor immediately:

  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing.
  • Skin rash and itching
  • Fainting or shortness of breath.

These are severe side effects; when they occur, the patient may have had a severe allergic reaction to resincalcium.

Warnings and Contraindications

Resincalcium should not be taken if you have:

  • An intestinal obstruction.
  • High levels of calcium in the blood.
  • High levels of parathyroid hormone.
  • Multiple myeloma (a blood cancer) or sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disorder).
  • Low potassium levels (less than five mmol / L).

Resincalcium should not be taken if you are allergic to the active ingredient or any of the elements of the medicine.

Oral resincalcium should not be given to newborn babies. Orally administered resin calcium has caused intestinal obstruction in newborns. This treatment should only be administered rectally to newborns.

You should inform your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant since, like most drugs of this type, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

The doctor should be informed if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known for sure if resincalcium passes into breast milk.

If you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following should be reported to the doctor:

  • Thyroid conditions.
  • Constipation.
  • Bone marrow (blood) disorders or tumors.

If surgery is planned, the doctor should be informed.

Interactions

Some medications can interfere with resincalcium. These include:

  • Contraindicated use in conjunction with sorbitol can cause necrosis of the colon.
  • Cardiac glycosides may increase the toxic effects of resincalcium if hypokalaemia and hypercalcaemia develop.
  • The risk of developing hypokalemia can be improved with thiazide or loop diuretics.
  • Resincalcium, taken together with tetracyclines, lithium, and levothyroxine, reduces the latter’s absorption.
  • With the help of antacids and nonabsorbable laxatives that contain cations (Mg, Al, and Ca carbonate hydroxide), there is a risk of developing metabolic alkalosis.
  • With the common use of anticholinergics, there is a risk of increased gastrointestinal adverse effects.
  • These drugs can be affected by calcium resin, or they can affect the way it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine or change medicines.

As a general rule, taking resincalcium should be separated with a minimum of 2 to 3 hours from any other medication.