In vivo use of water absorbent polymers

摘要

The subject invention is a method and material for removing fluid from the intestinal tract of a host and may be useful in treating animals or human patients suffering from fluid overload states. In one embodiment, the subject method involves ingesting an enterically coated non-systemic, non-toxic, non-digestible, water absorbing polymer which absorbs fluid while passing through the intestinal tract. The polymer is excreted in the feces wherein the polymer and absorbed fluid is removed from the body. Preferred polymers include super absorbent acrylic acid polymers, preferably provided in bead form. The polymers may include functional groups for selectively removing blood borne waste products, e.g. urea, from the G.I. tract.