| abstract |
A method for removing bile salts from a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the reaction product of: a) one or more highly cross-linked polymers characterized by a repeat unit selected from the group consisting essentially of: (1), (2), (3): (NR-CH2 -CH2)n, (4): (NR-CH2CH2-NR-CH2CH2-NR-CH2CHOH-CH2)n and salts and copolymers thereof, where n is an integer and each R, independently, is H or a C1-C8 alkyl group; and b) at least one alkylating agent. The reaction product is characterized in that: (i) at least some of the nitrogen atoms in said repeat units are unreacted with said alkylating agent; (ii) less than 10 mol% of the nitrogen atoms in the repeat units that react with the alkylating agent form quaternary ammonium units; and (iii) the reaction product is non-toxic and stable once ingested. |