Pronunciation: SOE-dee-um FOS-fates
Generic Name: Sodium Phosphates
Brand Name: Examples include OsmoPrep and Visicol
There have been rare reports of serious kidney problems in patients using oral sodium phosphate medicines. This usually occurred within days after taking Sodium Phosphates; however, some cases occurred up to several months after use. Some patients developed permanent kidney problems, and some required long-term dialysis.
The risk of severe kidney problems may be increased in patients who:
- are elderly
- are constipated
- are dehydrated
- have kidney problems
- have heart failure
- have certain stomach or bowel problems. Examples include:
- slow-moving or blocked bowels
- colitis
- severe stomach pain or bloating
- take medicines that may affect kidney function. Examples include:
- diuretics
- certain heart or blood pressure medicines
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Some patients who did not have risk factors also developed severe kidney problems.
Follow the directions provided by your doctor for using Sodium Phosphates. Do not take any other laxatives or bowel cleansing medicines (especially those that contain sodium phosphate) while you use Sodium Phosphates. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
Sodium Phosphates is used for:
Cleansing the bowel before certain medical procedures in certain patients. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Sodium Phosphates is a saline laxative. It works by pulling water from the body into the bowel, which helps to soften the stool and cause a bowel movement.
Do NOT use Sodium Phosphates if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Sodium Phosphates
- you have had a kidney biopsy that shows you have kidney problems caused by too much phosphate in the blood (eg, acute phosphate nephropathy)
- you have certain untreated blood electrolyte (eg, phosphate, sodium, potassium, calcium) problems
- you are using other laxatives or bowel cleansing products
- you have taken Sodium Phosphates or another laxative with sodium phosphate in it within the past 7 days
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Sodium Phosphates:
Some medical conditions may interact with Sodium Phosphates. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have decreased kidney function, other kidney problems (eg, kidney or bladder infection, kidney stones), or fluid or electrolyte problems, or if you are dehydrated or on a low-salt (sodium) diet
- if you have a narrow esophagus; trouble swallowing; severe bowel problems (eg, blockage, perforation); inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); appendicitis; nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites); or a sudden change in bowel movements lasting longer than 2 weeks
- if you have a history of other stomach or bowel problems (eg, colitis, severe chronic constipation, slow-moving or blocked bowels) or stomach or bowel surgery (eg, colostomy, gastric bypass, stomach stapling)
- if you have liver problems, adrenal gland problems, high blood pressure, low thyroid or parathyroid function, bone problems (eg, osteomalacia), muscle problems (eg, rhabdomyolysis), or pancreas problems
- if you have a history of seizures, irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation), heart muscle problems, congestive heart failure, chest pain (eg, angina), recent heart attack, or heart surgery (eg, cardiac bypass graft surgery)
- if you drink alcohol or you are having withdrawal symptoms from stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Sodium Phosphates. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Medicines that may affect heartbeat (eg, amiodarone, moxifloxacin, ziprasidone) because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased. Check with your doctor if you have questions about which medicines may affect your heartbeat.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, captopril), angiotensin receptor blockers (eg, candesartan), diuretics (eg, furosemide), other laxatives or bowel cleansing products (especially those containing sodium phosphate), NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Sodium Phosphates's side effects
- Seizure medicines (eg, carbamazepine, phenytoin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Sodium Phosphates
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Sodium Phosphates may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Sodium Phosphates:
Use Sodium Phosphates as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Sodium Phosphates comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Sodium Phosphates refilled.
- Take Sodium Phosphates by mouth on an empty stomach.
- Do not eat solid foods or drink anything but clear liquids for at least 12 hours before you start taking Sodium Phosphates.
- Drink a full glass (8 oz/240 mL) of water or other clear liquid with each dose of Sodium Phosphates.
- Drinking extra fluids before, during, and after taking Sodium Phosphates is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
- Take your doses 15 minutes apart unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Do not repeat a course of Sodium Phosphates for at least 7 days after you use Sodium Phosphates.
- If you also take other medicines, they may not work as well while you are taking Sodium Phosphates. Check with your doctor to see how you should take your other medicines during treatment with Sodium Phosphates.
- If you miss a dose of Sodium Phosphates or are unable to complete the course of treatment, contact your doctor immediately.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Sodium Phosphates.
Important safety information:
- Sodium Phosphates may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Sodium Phosphates with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. This may cause serious side effects.
- You may notice undigested or partially digested tablets of Sodium Phosphates in your stool. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
- Do not use any other laxative products or enemas, especially those containing sodium phosphates, while you are using Sodium Phosphates.
- You will need to take care not to become dehydrated while you are using Sodium Phosphates. Contact your doctor for instructions.
- Sodium Phosphates may increase the risk of severe kidney problems in certain patients. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Lab tests, including kidney function, heart function, and blood electrolyte levels, may be performed while you use Sodium Phosphates. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Sodium Phosphates with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Sodium Phosphates should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Sodium Phosphates while you are pregnant. It is not known if Sodium Phosphates is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Sodium Phosphates, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Sodium Phosphates:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; gas; nausea; stomach cramps or bloating; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest or throat; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blood in the stool; confusion; fainting; fast, slow or irregular heartbeat; loss of appetite; loss of consciousness; seizures; severe or persistent nausea, stomach bloating, or cramping; symptoms of dehydration (eg, dizziness, headache, severe or persistent vomiting, unusually dry mouth or eyes); symptoms of kidney problems (eg, decreased urination; swelling of the ankles, feet, or legs); tingling of the lips; unusual weakness; unusual weight gain; wheezing.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Sodium Phosphates:
Store Sodium Phosphates at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Sodium Phosphates out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Sodium Phosphates, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Sodium Phosphates is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Sodium Phosphates. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Sodium Phosphates resources
- Sodium Phosphates Dosage
- Sodium Phosphates Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Sodium Phosphates Drug Interactions
- Sodium Phosphates Support Group
- 14 Reviews for Sodium Phosphates - Add your own review/rating
Compare Sodium Phosphates with other medications
- Bowel Preparation
- Constipation
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