Reduction of potassium in drinks by pre-treatment with calcium polystyrene sulphonate

Dietary potassium intake in patients with chronic renal failure is generally reduced by oral administration of potassium-binding resins. These drugs may cause disturbances of bowel function and have an unpleasant taste. Pre-treatment of drinks with these resins and their subsequent removal may prevent these inconveniences. In four formulas (whole milk, humanised infant formula, apple juice, and orange juice) we were able to lower the potassium content by 50% with calcium polystyrene sulphonate. No important increase of sodium content was observed, as was reported with the use of sodium polystyrene sulphonate. There was a, potentially beneficial, increase of the calcium concentration.