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Sodium polystyrene sulfonate used to reduce the potassium content of a high‐protein enteral formula: a quantitative analysis
Author(s) -
Rivard AL,
Raup SM,
Beilman GJ
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/014860710402800276
Subject(s) - potassium , chemistry , enteral administration , sodium , sulfonate , magnesium , potassium persulfate , chromatography , medicine , parenteral nutrition , organic chemistry , polymer , polymerization
BACKGROUND: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) commonly is used in treating hyperkalemia. As a cation exchange resin, it also can be used to reduce the potassium content of enteral nutrition formulas. This study evaluates the use of Kayexalate to reduce potassium in one high‐protein enteral formula and describes the quantitative analysis of the product. METHODS: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate and enteral formula were mixed into a slurry and allowed to settle, and then the supernatant was decanted off and tested as samples. Three sample concentrations were analyzed: a control not subjected to potassium reduction, 0.5 g of Kayexalate per mEq K+ sample, and a 1 g/mEq K+ sample. Of these samples, moisture, lipid, protein, carbohydrate, ash, and mineral content were obtained. RESULTS: Compared with the control, the percentage decrease of potassium ranged from 25% to 36%, depending on the concentration of Kayexalate. A significant increase of 324% in sodium concentration was found in the 1.0 g/mEq K+ sample. Although there was no change in magnesium content, a slight increase in phosphorus, iron, and zinc was evident. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of an enteral formula with sodium polystyrene sulfonate significantly increases its sodium content, with a modest decrease in potassium content. Clinicians using this method in clinical practice should be aware of the increase in sodium content.