Sodium polystyrene sulfonate resin (SPS)

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate resin is a synthetic, insoluble polymer cation-exchange resin that binds potassium ions in the gastrointestinal tract in exchange for sodium ions, thereby promoting the elimination of excess potassium through the feces. It is primarily used for the treatment of hyperkalemia (elevated blood potassium). It is not a biological macromolecule, receptor, enzyme, transporter, or classical drug target, but a pharmacologically active polymer *drug* that acts through a physicochemical mechanism. Known side effects range from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to rare but serious intestinal necrosis[3][5][7].\n\nClarification: *Sodium polystyrene sulfonate resin* is a therapeutic agent, not a molecular "target" such as a protein, receptor, enzyme, or nucleic acid. Its entry as a "target" is **incorrect**. It is itself a drug/substance, not a biological entity that drugs bind to or modulate[3][4][7].

Other names

Sodium polystyrene sulfonatePSSKayexalateKalexateKionexResonium AAmberlite IRP69Polystyrene sulphonateSodium polistirex

Potassium binding via cation exchange in GI tract (exchanges sodium for potassium)