Did your doctor check your blood work and tell you that your potassium levels are a little high? Or did he tell you to be careful about your potassium levels because of a kidney problem? So, we're going to talk about a type of medication that is very important for you. It's called Potassium Binders. Although the name may sound a bit strange, the way it works is very simple.
What are these potassium binders?
Simply put, these are medications that are given to reduce the amount of excess potassium in your body. These medications do a wonderful job. They bind the excess potassium in your intestines, which is in the food you eat. Then, they remove the potassium from your body in your stool, instead of allowing it to be absorbed into your bloodstream.
Imagine, this medicine acts like a magnet, grabbing and removing unwanted potassium. This helps control the rise in potassium levels in the blood.
Why is potassium so important for our body?
Now you might be wondering, is this potassium bad for the body? Not at all. Potassium is an essential element for our body to function. We call it an electrolyte. That means it can carry an electrical charge when dissolved in the fluids of our body.
Let's look at some of the main things potassium does for our body:
- Muscle function: The muscles in our body, especially the heart muscles , need potassium to contract and relax properly.
- Nervous system: This also helps in the process of carrying messages back and forth through the nerves.
- Cellular function: Potassium helps our body's cells absorb nutrients and remove unwanted waste products that build up inside the cells.
- Blood pressure control: Potassium also helps reduce the impact of the salt (sodium) we eat on our blood pressure.
Our bodies get potassium from the foods we eat and drink. Normally, in a healthy person, excess potassium in the body is filtered out through the kidneys and excreted in the urine. However, when the kidneys are not functioning properly or for other reasons, they are unable to excrete excess potassium, it builds up in the blood. This is called hyperkalemia . This increase in potassium can be very dangerous for the heart. It can cause abnormalities in the functioning of the heart and even be life-threatening.
In what cases are potassium binders given?
Potassium Binders are mainly prescribed for the condition we discussed above, hyperkalemia, which is when the potassium level in the blood is high. Usually, a doctor will first try to control this condition by changing your diet (reducing potassium-rich foods like bananas and oranges) and other treatments. However, this type of medication is prescribed only if those things fail to lower the potassium level.
| Potassium level (mmol/L) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 3.5 - 5.0 | Healthy normal level. |
| 5.1 - 6.0 | Mild hyperkalemia. |
| More than 6.0 | Significantly high levels (Moderate to Severe Hyperkalemia). |
| More than 6.5 | A dangerous level that can be risky for the heart. |
What are these medications?
There are several types of potassium binders. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate one for you based on your condition. Here are some of the most commonly used types:
- Calcium polystyrene sulfonate
- Patiromer (Veltassa®)
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kionex®)
- Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (Lokelma®)
Remember, these are the names of the active ingredients in the medicine. The doctor may prescribe a brand name for you, but it contains the active ingredient.
How to use this medicine?
There is one thing you need to do before taking this medication. That is, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or traditional medicines you are taking. Because some medications can change how they work when taken with these potassium binders.
This medicine usually comes in a powder form. It is mixed with a little water or other liquid and then taken. It is often advised to be taken shortly before meals. However, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
How long will I have to take this medicine?
This depends on your medical condition. Some people can take this medication for a short period of time, like 30-60 days. However, if you are at risk of high potassium levels, such as someone with kidney disease or someone who is taking medication for heart disease, you may need to take this medication for a long time. Your doctor will make the best decision about this.
Are there any side effects?
Like any medicine, these can cause minor side effects. Not everyone gets them, but it's good to be aware of them.
| Common side effects |
|---|
|
| Other things to consider |
| Some of the newer potassium binders can lower calcium and magnesium levels in the body. Your doctor will be aware of this as well. |
When should I see the doctor?
Most of the time, high blood potassium levels do not cause any symptoms. However, once you start using this medication, your potassium levels will start to decrease within 24 hours.
The most important thing is, if the side effects mentioned above are severe , or if you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea and vomiting
These can also be symptoms of very high potassium levels, so don't ignore them.
Take-Home Message
- Potassium Binders are a type of medication used to control high blood potassium levels (Hyperkalemia).
- What these do is trap excess potassium in the intestines and expel it with the stool.
- Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions when taking this medication.
- Inform your doctor about any other medications or vitamins you are taking.
- If you experience severe symptoms such as chest pain and rapid heartbeat, seek medical advice immediately.
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