TRI-STATE GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATES

TRI-STATE DIGESTIVE DISORDER CENTER

This is an important ALERT to the Patients of Tri-State Gastroenterology instructed to use the Visicol, OsmoPrep or Fleet Phospho-soda for your upcoming colonoscopy.

On December 11, 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), posted an ALERT concerning the use of Oral (taken by mouth) Sodium Phosphate Products.

These products include the prescription products known as Visicol and OsmoPrep (both are pills only available by prescription) and the over the counter product known as Fleet Phospho-soda (or the generic equivalent). All are used for cleansing the colon for colonoscopy, which results in loosing body fluids.

A form of acute kidney injury (*see below) can result from not drinking enough liquids/fluids, as instructed, before, during and after taking the Visicol, OsmoPrep or Fleet Phospho-soda. Although, reported rarely this is a serious concern, and because of these reports the over the counter product, Fleet Phospho-soda, has been removed from the majority of the pharmacies’ shelves. Please call your pharmacy to check availability.

If you have the Fleet Phospho-soda, there are precautions you will need to follow. There are instructions for your prep that you need to follow, including drinking plenty of liquids before, during and after taking the product.

If our office has ordered the Fleet Phospho-soda for you and you cannot find it in the stores OR prefer another prep, you may call our office at 859-655-4490 and we will order a different prep for you. Also, if you have been ordered this product and you are dehydrated (symptoms include: dry mouth, headache, decrease in urination, lightheadedness or dizzy and possible fever); have kidney disease; liver disease; heart disease; or are on a sodium (salt) restricted diet; call our office for a different prep to be called into your pharmacy.

The practitioners at Tri-State Gastroenterology want to make this as safe a procedure as possible; therefore, if you have any concerns, please call our office to discuss your colon prep.

Thank you from The Physicians of Tri-State Gastroenterology Associates

*There have been reported cases of Acute Phosphate Nephropathy, a form of acute kidney injury that is associated with deposits of calcium-phosphate crystals in the renal (kidney) tubules. These deposits may cause permanent kidney function impairment. In easier terms, permanent kidney damage. The FDA has stated that these products are safe when given by prescription and we are hoping that the Fleet Phospho-soda will become available by prescription soon.