| abstract |
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 patents suffering from fluid overload states. In one embodiment, the subject method involves ingesting and entericaally 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 polmers 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, for the G.I. tract. |