Kalexate and Vivitrol

• Generic Name: sodium polystyrene sulfonate
• Dosage Forms: oral, rectal powder
• Other Brand Names: Kalexate, Kayexalate, Kionex

Kalexate binds itself to potassium in your digestive tract. This helps prevent your body from absorbing too much potassium.

Kalexate is used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood, also called hyperkalemia.

Kalexate works differently from other medicines because it passes into your intestines without being absorbed into your blood stream.

Kalexate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: naltrexone
• Dosage Forms: injection
• Other Brand Names: Vivitrol, Depade, ReVia

Vivitrol (naltrexone) blocks the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid abuse. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Vivitrol is used as part of a treatment program for drug or alcohol dependence.

Vivitrol injection is used to prevent relapse in people who became dependent on opioid medicine and then stopped using it. Naltrexone can help keep you from feeling a "need" to use the opioid.

Vivitrol injection is also used to treat alcoholism by reducing your urge to drink alcohol. This may help you drink less or stop drinking altogether. Naltrexone will not decrease the effects of alcohol you recently consumed. You should not be drinking at the time you receive your first Vivitrol injection.

Naltrexone is not a cure for drug addiction or alcoholism.