INTRODUCTION

KCHEK contains Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate which belongs to the group of medicines called Ion Exchange Resins. It is used to treat all states of hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in blood) due to acute and chronic renal failure that occurs after conditions such as abortion, complicated labour, incompatible blood transfusion, crush injury, prostatectomy (removal of prostate gland), severe burns, surgical shock (reduced blood supply to the brain due to traumatic surgery), severe glomerulonephritis (inflammation of tiny filters of the kidney) and pyelonephritis (urinary tract infection affecting one or both the kidneys).

KCHEK is also used in patients with hyperkalemia associated with anuria (failure of kidneys to produce urine), severe oliguria (condition marked by low urine output) and in patients requiring dialysis. Hyperkalemia is a condition of abnormally raised levels of potassium in the blood, generally characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, numbness, nausea, and vomiting.

Avoid taking KCHEK with orange juice or other fruit juices that are known to raise the blood potassium levels. It is not recommended for use if you are allergic to calcium polystyrene sulfonate and in patients with other conditions such as bowel obstruction or blocked intestine, thyroid problems and high blood calcium levels. KCHEK should be used with caution if you have breathing or chest problems, kidney or heart problems.

KCHEK should be used with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, also it should be used with caution in children and adolescents (below 18 years of age). Consult your doctor before taking. The common side effects associated with the use of KCHEK are tiredness, confusion, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, altered heart rate, nausea and vomiting. Contact your doctor if any of the symptom worsens.

USES OF KCHEK

• Treats hyperkalemia due to acute and chronic renal failure
• Treats hyperkalemia (associated with anuria, severe oliguria and in patients requiring dialysis)

HOW KCHEK WORKS

KCHEK works by releasing calcium ions in the stomach which binds to hydrogen ions and it gets exchanged with free potassium ions in the large intestine, that gets eliminated with the faeces along with the excess potassium ions thereby resulting in reduced potassium levels in the body.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take KCHEK as advised by your physician. Make suspension by mixing powder in little water or prepare a paste using a sweetened vehicle. Avoid using orange juice or other fruit juices. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF KCHEK

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Constipation:

Try to eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, cereals and drink plenty of water. Try doing exercise regularly (going for a daily walk or run). If this does not help, inform your doctor for receiving alternate treatments for constipation.

Nausea and vomiting:

Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oily, fried or spicy foods. Do not sleep or lie down immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

Diarrhoea:

Drink lot of fluids, such as water to keep yourself hydrated. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to treat diarrhoea and consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

Tiredness:

Drink plenty of fluid and eat balanced diet and frequent meals. Do regular minimal exercise and follow regular sleep schedule. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug Interactions:

Before taking KCHEK, inform your doctor, if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• sorbitol (used as a sweetener to sweeten food)
• medicines used to treat heart problems Ex. digitalis
• medicines used to treat acid reflux or constipation such as non-absorbable cation-donating antacids and laxatives Ex. magnesium hydroxide, aluminium carbonate
• medicines used to treat heart burn or peptic ulcer Ex. aluminium hydroxide
• medicines used to treat underactive thyroid Ex. levothyroxine, thyroxine
• medicines used for the treatment of depression Ex. lithium
• calcium (used as a calcium supplement in diet)

B. Drug-Food Interactions:

Avoid taking KCHEK with orange juice or other fruit juices that are known to raise the blood potassium levels.

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of KCHEK, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Overdosage symptoms of KCHEK are irritability, confusion, muscle weakness, diminished reflexes, paralysis, inability to concentrate, delayed thought process, breathing problems, fast/pounding heartbeat, muscle cramps, sleep apnea (serious sleep disorder) and irregular heartbeat.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep the medicine out of reach of children
• Store KCHEK at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT KCHEK

What is KCHEK used for?

KCHEK is used to treat all states of hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in blood) due to acute and chronic kidney failure. It is also used in patients with hyperkalemia associated with anuria (failure of kidneys to produce urine), severe oliguria (condition marked by low urine output) and in patients requiring dialysis.

What happens if you take more KCHEK than your required dose?

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of KCHEK, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Overdosage symptoms of KCHEK are irritability, confusion, muscle weakness, diminished reflexes, paralysis, inability to concentrate, breathing problems, pounding heartbeat, or muscle cramps.

Who should avoid taking KCHEK?

KCHEK is not recommended for use if you are allergic to calcium polystyrene sulfonate and in patients with other conditions such as bowel obstruction or blocked intestine, thyroid problems or high levels of calcium in your blood such as excessive thirst, frequent urination.

How does KCHEK work?

KCHEK works by releasing calcium ions in the stomach which binds to hydrogen ions and it gets exchanged with free potassium ions in the large intestine, that gets eliminated with the faeces along with the excess potassium ions thereby resulting in reduced potassium levels in the body.

What is the method of taking KCHEK?

Take KCHEK as advised by your physician. Make suspension by mixing powder in little water or prepare a paste using a sweetened vehicle. Avoid using orange juice or other fruit juices. Your doctor will decide the correct dose of KCHEK and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

When to stop taking KCHEK?

Stop taking KCHEK and contact your doctor if you experience any of the serious side effects such as severe stomach or rectal pain, bloating, severe constipation, severe nausea and vomiting, abnormal stools (black, bloody, or tarry), coughing with blood, or vomit resembling coffee grounds.

REFERENCES

1. Sidhartha D. Ray. Side Effects of Drugs Annual 41. Cation Exchange Resins. First Edition. 2019. Page – 239.

2. Nobuhiro Takeuchi, Yusuke Nomura, Testuo Meda, Masato Iida, Akihito Ohtsuka, Kazuyoshi Naba. Development of Colonic Perforation during Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate Administration: A Case Report. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Centre for Biotechnology Information. PMC PubMed Central. December 2013. [Accessed on 23rd July 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3872384/

3. Jing Wang, Meng-Meng Lv, Odeh Zach, Ling-Yu Wang, Meng-Ying Zhou, Gui-Rong Song, Xu Zhang, Hong-Li Lin. Calcium-Polystyrene Sulfonate Decreases Inter-Dialytic Hyperkalemia in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Prospective, Randomized, Crossover Study. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubmed.gov. December 2018. [Accessed on 23rd July 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30109784/

4. Hospimax. Potblok (Calcium Polystyrene Sulphonate 15 gm). [Accessed on 23rd July 2022] http://www.hospimax.com/formulation/PotbloK%20Website%20Content.pdf

5. Sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. Resonium calcium. [Revised in September 2018] [Accessed on 23rd July 2022] https://products.sanofi.ca/en/resonium-calcium.pdf

6. Laboratorios Rubio, S.A. Industria. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in October 2021] [Accessed on 23rd July 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13346.pdf

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Electrolyte panel