Patent ID: 7556799
Filing Date: 2009-07-07
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
1. A method for removing potassium from the gastrointestinal tract of a mammal in need thereof, the method comprising orally administering a pharmaceutical composition to the mammal, the pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a potassium-binding polymer or a salt thereof, the potassium-binding polymer being a crossliniked α-fluoroacrylic acid polymer, a crossliniked difluoromaleic acid polymer, or a salt thereof wherein said potassium removal is derived from repeat units selected from the group consisting of α-fluoroacrylic acid, difluoromaleic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, acrylic acid, vinyl phosphonate, vinyl-1,1-bisphosphonate, vinyl sulfonate, vinyl-1,2-disulfonate, itaconic acid, vinyl sulfamate, styrene sulfonate, α-hydroxyacrylic acid, a salt thereof, and a combination thereof in the crosslinked α-fluoroacrylic acid polymer, crosslinked difluoromaleic acid polymer, or salt thereof, whereby the pharmaceutical composition passes through the gastrointestinal tract of the mammal, and removes a therapeutically effective amount of potassium ion from the gastrointestinal tract of the mammal.