Drug Helps Lower Potassium Levels in Patients with Hyperkalemia

Zirconium cyclosilicate (a nonabsorbed cation exchanger that selectively binds potassium in the intestine) maintained normal potassium levels in patients with hyperkalemia throughout a 28-day clinical trial published in JAMA. Normal potassium levels were achieved in 84% of patients within 24 hours and 98% within 48 hours of treatment initiation. Compared to placebo, all treatment doses resulted in significantly higher proportions of patients with normal potassium levels. After 258 patients received zirconium cyclosilicate in an initial 48-hour open-label phase, patients achieving normal potassium levels were then randomized to receive 5 g, 10 g, or 15 g of zirconium cyclosilicate or a placebo daily.