Some medical conditions, especially those with kidney problems, are more likely to cause high blood potassium levels. Sometimes these high levels are only temporary, but for some people, their levels never return to normal. In such cases, special medications may be used to lower potassium levels, change medications, or follow a low-potassium diet. Lokelma is a medication that is given to people with high blood potassium levels ( hyperkalemia ) to control these levels.
Why is this increase in potassium (Hyperkalemia) dangerous?
Simply put, potassium is a mineral that is essential for the functioning of our heart , muscles , and nervous system. But like anything, too much of it can be dangerous.
High blood potassium levels over a long period of time can damage your heart. Very high potassium levels can even cause a heart attack. Some people have high potassium levels but no symptoms. Others may experience symptoms such as chest pain , irregular heartbeats, heart palpitations, muscle weakness, or numbness.
Main reasons for high potassium levels
There can be a number of reasons why potassium levels can increase. Let's look at some of the most common causes.
| Reason | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Kidney problems | When the kidneys are not working properly, they are unable to excrete excess potassium in the body through urine, causing potassium to build up in the blood. |
| Some medications | Some medications you take (especially high blood pressure medications) can interfere with the kidneys' ability to remove potassium. The risk is higher if you take more than one of these medications. |
| Diet | If you add too many potassium-rich foods (like bananas, oranges, and avocados) to your diet or take potassium supplements, your kidneys may not be able to handle the excess. Some salt substitutes also contain too much potassium. |
How does Lokelma work?
The main treatment for high potassium levels is to reduce the amount of potassium in the body. There are several ways to do this. These include reducing potassium in the diet, stopping medications that increase potassium, and giving diuretics that excrete potassium through the urine .
Lokelma is one of these drugs that stops the body from absorbing potassium from food .
Simply put, Lokelma works by trapping the potassium in the food we eat in the intestines and expelling it with feces instead of allowing it to be absorbed by the body.
The active ingredient in this medicine is `( sodium zirconium cyclosilicate).` This substance binds to potassium in the intestines. Then the body has no way to absorb potassium. When you take a high dose, more potassium is bound, and the level in the blood decreases quickly. When you take a maintenance dose, it helps to keep potassium levels in the normal range.
How should I use this medicine?
If your potassium level is high, your doctor may first tell you to take Lokelma three times a day for about two days to bring it back to normal. Once your potassium level is back to normal, you may be told to take it once or twice a day to maintain that level. Your doctor will check your potassium level regularly and decide the dose you need and how often you should take it.
If you are on dialysis, your doctor may give you different instructions. For example, you may be told to take this medicine only on days when you are not on dialysis.
It comes as a tasteless powder. It should be dissolved in water and drunk. When taking a dose, pour the powder from the packet into a cup and mix well with at least 3 tablespoons of water (about 45 ml) . It is okay to add more water if necessary. This powder does not dissolve completely in water, so it is normal for the water to look a little cloudy. Stir well and drink immediately after mixing. If there is still powder left at the bottom of the cup after drinking, add a little more water, stir again and drink that too. Do not leave any powder left in the cup.
What are the side effects and things to be aware of?
This is a very important part.
Lokelma contains a significant amount of sodium ( 400 mg of sodium per 5-gram dose). Depending on the daily dose prescribed by your doctor, you may be consuming up to 1200 mg of sodium per day.
Therefore, people on a salt-controlled diet or those sensitive to salt may need to adjust their diet while taking this medication. Excess sodium can cause fluid retention in the body, causing swelling. This condition is called `(edema)`.
If you have heart failure or kidney disease, or a history of swelling, it is essential to inform your doctor before starting this medication. He or she will adjust your diet or other medications accordingly.
Other points
- Problems with other medications: Lokelma may change how other medications are absorbed by the body. To avoid this, avoid taking Lokelma within 2 hours of or within 2 hours of taking any other medication. If this is difficult to do, talk to your doctor to work out the best schedule.
- X-rays: Lokelma can show up on abdominal X-rays. This can make it difficult to read the X-ray results. If you are going to have an X-ray, tell your doctor and the technician taking the X-ray that you are taking Lokelma.
- Stopping the medication: Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without medical advice. If you do, your potassium levels may rise again quickly. If you need to stop taking the medication, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- High blood potassium levels (Hyperkalemia) are a serious condition that can affect the heart.
- Lokelma is a medication that prevents the body from absorbing potassium from food and excretes it in the stool.
- Always follow the dosage and instructions your doctor prescribes. Do not change the dosage yourself.
- This medicine contains a lot of sodium. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, kidney disease, or swelling.
- Avoid taking Lokelma 2 hours before and after taking other medications.
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