Kidney Injury Following Colonoscopy
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Popular bowel cleansing products (Oral Sodium Phosphate) linked to kidney failure.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has become aware of problems associated with Oral Sodium Phosphate products (OSP). The products, which are used for bowel cleansing before certain medical exams such as colonoscopy, have been linked to a serious form of kidney failure.
The use of prescribed OSP drugs Visicol and OsmoPrep has been found to increase the risk of acute phosphate nephropathy. This rare, but serious kidney injury can result in a patient’s need for dialysis or a kidney transplant, and in the most extreme cases lead to acute renal failure or even death.
In December 2008, the FDA announced it would add a Boxed Warning to the prescribed OSP drugs, and is equally concerned with the use of over-the-counter OSP products, such as Fleet Phospho-soda, which is commonly used as a laxative. The FDA has also begun providing a Medication Guide with the drugs and will conduct a study to ensure that their benefits outweigh their potential harm.
Common side effects of OSP therapy include dehydration, abdominal pain or bleeding, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. However, the risk of developing kidney failure increases if you have experienced heart failure, had previous kidney problems, have active colitis, or are over the age of 55.
Since 2006, there have been over 20 reported cases of kidney injury associated with the use of OSP bowel cleaning products. Of the reported cases, three were acute phosphate nephropathy, and the onset of the injuries varied between several hours after taking the drug to upwards of twenty-one days.
Warning signs for acute phosphate nephropathy include malaise, lethargy, drowsiness, decreased amount of urine, and swelling of the ankles, feet and legs. In some of the cases the adverse effects occurred in patients who were perfectly healthy and had no signs of kidney problems or a family history of kidney disease prior to their exposure to an OSP drug.
If you or a loved one has suffered any of the aforementioned symptoms after taking OSP bowel cleaning products contact your doctor immediately. And call the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein today for a free and confidential consultation. You may be entitled to compensation.
For more information about Oral Sodium Phosphate drugs, including how to properly take the drugs and their potential side effects, please visit: www.fda.gov. And be sure to consult with your doctor before stopping or starting any new medicine.
