Bowel cleanser blamed for renal failure, electrolyte abnormalities
After years of serious adverse events following the use of a type of solution used to clear the bowel before colonoscopies, Oral sodium phosphates (OSP), the products are no longer available over-the-counter and the ones available by prescription, known by the brand names Visicol and Osmo Prep, now carry a black box warning that a serious form of kidney injury has been associated with the use of the products.
Even if patients aren’t diagnosed with the type of renal failure associated with OSP use, known as Acute Phosphate Nephropathy, they may still be at risk from conditions due to electrolyte abnormalities, according to an article, Is Bowel Preparation Before Colonoscopy a Risky Business for the Kidney? published in MedScape CME.