RightHealth

Posts Tagged ‘fleet’

December 15, 2008

Colonoscopy Bowel Cleansing Drugs May Cause Kidney Damage »

The FDA has announced warnings against two prescription drugs – Visicol and OsmoPrep – used to cleanse the bowels before colonoscopies. The concern is over the potential of these drugs in causing kidney damage due to their high phosphate content. Similar over-the-counter medications, such as Fleet Phopho-soda, should not be used for bowel cleansing either; however, at lower doses, they are still safe to use as laxatives. Commonly used alternatives – GoLytely and Halflytely – exist and are safe to use for colonoscopy preparation. We know that colonoscopies can save lives, so this should not dissuade anyone from getting one, especially when safe bowel prep regimens exist.

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