Are ion exchange resins being used in any commercial pharmaceutical formulations?
Yes, and have been used for over twenty years. The commercial use of ion exchange resins in pharmaceutical formulations fall into two categories – active ingredient and excipient. Below is a partial listing of examples. Active Ingredients • Sodium polystyrene sulfonate USP – active ingredient for the treatment of hyperkalemia. Works by removing potassium by ion exchange. (Boehringer Ingelheim and other companies). • Cholestyramine USP – active ingredient for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Works by sequestering bile acids, preventing their re-absorption into the blood stream. (BMS Questran and generics. Multifunctional Excipients • Nicotine gums and lozenges for smoking cessation, eg Nicorette. Works by extending the release of the nicotine. (Pfizer, GSK, and other companies) • Vitamin B12 stabilization.
