The electrolyte anomaly known as hyperkalemia, which refers to an increased blood potassium level, can become a potentially fatal condition when it is brought on by renal disease, the use of certain medications, or other sources of a lack of electrolytes. People who have hyperkalemia have a difficult time comprehending things, which makes it difficult for them to locate the medication that works best. But that shouldn’t be like that.
Continue reading to learn about new treatments for hyperkalemia as well as alternative approaches that may be used to treat the illness.
How Should Hyperkalemia Be Treated?
Keep in mind that it is essential to discuss with a healthcare expert any concerns or difficulties that you may have regarding your health. That way, you will receive the highest possible level of care and assistance.
Prior to the introduction of a new medicine back in 2015, the management of hyperkalemia had not altered in any significant way. Patiromer is an alternative for the outpatient treatment of chronic hyperkalemia in patients who have chronic kidney disease and are currently being treated with RAAS inhibitors. These patients would benefit from the continuation of medication due to the presence of comorbid diseases like diabetes mellitus and cardiac failure.
What exactly is Patiromer?
Patiromer is not indicated for the treatment of hyperkalemia that poses a risk to life. Patients who have CKD and diabetic patients who have a blood potassium level that is greater than 5 mEq/L and who would get a boost from therapy with an ACE inhibitor, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), or an aldosterone inhibitor are eligible for consideration for this therapy.
The drug is almost entirely in the form of a powder that must be suspended in water before it can be taken orally. The active component is called Patiromer sorbitex calcium, and it is made up of patiromer, which is a potassium-binding polymer that does not absorb potassium and has a calcium-sorbitol counterion. It is possible for Patiromerto to promote fecal potassium excretion because it binds potassium in the bloodstream of the gastrointestinal system.
How should Patiromer be taken?
It is advised that treatment with Patiromer begin at a dose of 8.4 g once a day. There is a maximum recommended daily intake of 25.2 g, although the dosage can be modified dependent on the potassium levels in the serum. It is possible to adjust the dosage up or down based on the blood potassium levels at intervals of one week or longer, with increases of 8.4 g. It is always necessary to discuss any specifics concerning your dose with a medical professional.
This treatment is made accessible to consumers on the market in single-use packages of 8.4, 16.8, or 25.5 g. It is recommended that you keep it in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C (36°F-46°F).
What is Patiromer’s level of effectiveness?
304 hyperkalemic individuals with CKD and type 2 diabetes participated in an open-label trial to investigate the impact that therapy with Patiromer for up to 52 weeks had on RAAS inhibitors. It was discovered that the therapeutic impact of patiromer might be preserved during the course of long-term treatment.
Alternative Treatment
Acute hyperkalemia is treated with a variety of different methods, some of which are more prevalent than others. These treatment options include the following:
1) Intravenous Calcium: The initial objective of acute care in hyperkalemia is the restoration of the membrane potential, which is frequently accomplished via IV calcium.
2) Insulin: a bolus dose of short-acting insulin is the type of regimen that is suggested the majority of the time.
3) Beta2 Agonist: It has been demonstrated that using albuterol can reduce the amount of potassium in the blood by 0.3 to 0.6 mEq/L within 30 minutes, and this reduction can be expected to remain for at least 2 hours.
4) Sodium Bicarbonate: This acts to transfer potassium intracellularly; however, due to disputed findings about its efficacy and safety issues, it is not regarded as first-line care for hyperkalemia.
5) Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (SPS): SPS is a cation-exchange polymer that swaps sodium for potassium, along with different cations such as ammonium, calcium, and magnesium.
6) Diuretics: For the excretion of potassium, loop diuretics (such as bumetanide and furosemide) in conjunction with thiazide diuretics might be administered in individuals who have normal renal function.
7) Dialysis: hemodialysis is the technique of choice for removing potassium when pharmacologic treatments fail to sufficiently decrease and eliminate potassium. Dialysis may be used to remove potassium from the body.
