OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) is a bowel prep that's used to clean out your bowel before a procedure called colonoscopy. A full course of treatment consists of 32 tablets that you take by mouth, but it's divided into two separate doses. Some people might prefer OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) over liquid bowel prep solutions because even though they have to take a lot of tablets, the taste of the tablets is more tolerable compared with that of the liquids.
Cleansing the colon to prepare for colonoscopy
OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) is a medication that help clean out your bowel. It belongs to a class called osmotic laxatives, which work by pulling water from your tissues into your colon to make it easier to pass stools.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Agitation
bloody or cloudy urine
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
confusion
decrease in the frequency or amount of urine
decreased awareness or responsiveness
difficult or labored breathing
difficult or painful urination
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
headache
hostility
increased blood pressure
increased thirst
irritability
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
lower back or side pain
muscle twitching
noisy breathing
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rapid weight gain
redness of the skin
seizures
severe sleepiness
sudden decrease in the amount of urine
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
tightness in the chest
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
decreased frequency of urine
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
increase in heart rate
increased thirst
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
pounding or rapid pulse
rapid breathing
restlessness
stomach cramps
sunken eyes
sweating
weakness
wrinkled skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Doesn't have to be taken with other laxatives
Good option for people who don't like the taste of liquid bowel preps
Less chance of vomiting compared to mixed solutions for bowel prep
Have to take a total of 32 tablets
Can be hard to take for people who have trouble swallowing
Only available as brand medication so it might be expensive
If you feel very thirsty or if you're not making much urine, it might mean your body doesn't have enough fluids (dehydrated). Taking OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) when you're dehydrated can lead conditions such as kidney damage. Make sure to drink enough water before starting OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) to lower your chances of kidney damage.
OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) bowel prep is made up of 2 dosages. You take one dose (20 tablets) the day before your colonoscopy. You take the second dose (12 tablets) the morning of your colonoscopy. Make sure you mark your calendars and set reminders of when you need to take your bowel prep.
Don’t take other oral medications within 1 hour of starting or finishing OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) because this medication can lower the absorption of other medications.
Drink clear liquids, like water, before, during, and after taking OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) to make sure your body has enough water.
Don’t eat or drink any alcohol, milk, anything with red or purple, or food with pulp because they can mess up your colonoscopy results.
Don’t take any other laxatives or enemas that have sodium phosphate while taking OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) because doing so can raise your risk of getting kidney damage.
Let your provider know immediately if you vomit a lot or lose a lot of body fluids because this can cause your electrolytes to be out of balance. This can lead to serious side effects such as heartbeat problems or seizures.
OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Older adult | Not enough fluids in your body | Bowel obstruction (blockage) | Colitis (bowel inflammation) | Kidney problems | Heart failure | Taking other medications that lower kidney function
Although rare, bowel preps that contain sodium phosphate, including OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate), have caused sudden kidney damage called acute phosphate nephropathy. This typically happens within days after taking OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate), but can sometimes happen months later. Sometimes, the damage is permanent and might require long-term dialysis treatment. You're at higher risk for kidney damage if you're also taking other medications that affect your kidneys, such as diuretics (water pills), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It’s important to follow your provider’s directions on how to properly take this medication. Drink enough water before, during, and after taking OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) to avoid getting dehydrated. Don’t take any other sodium phosphate medications or enema products with this bowel prep. Let your provider know right away if you feel tired, drowsy, have a hard time urinating, or have swelling in your legs and feet.
Risk factors: Kidney problems | Taking other medications that can affect electrolytes
OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) can cause a lot of fluid loss (dehydration) and an imbalance in body salts (electrolytes). This can lead to problems such as abnormal heartbeat, seizures, and kidney problems. If you experience a lot of vomiting or signs of dehydration, let your provider know immediately. They might need to order lab work to check your electrolytes and kidney function.
Risk factors: Taking medications that affect heartbeat | Electrolyte not in balance | History of heart attack or heart failure
Although rare, OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) might cause changes in your heartbeat because it can affect the balance of electrolytes in your body. Your risk of heart problems is higher if you're taking other medications that affect your heartbeat. If you have a history of heart problems, tell your provider before starting OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) because they might need to check your heart before and after you use this medication.
Risk factors: Electrolytes not in balance | History of seizures | Taking other medications that raise your risk of seizures | Withdrawal from alcohol or certain medications
Taking OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate) can affect the balance of fluids and electrolytes in your body and can raise your risk for seizures, even if you've never had seizures before. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that might cause seizures, such as tricyclic antidepressants. Be careful using this medication if you have a history of seizures. Get medical help right away if you feel like fainting.
Risk factors: Inflammation in the bowels (swelling,damage) | Ulcerative colitis
Osmotic laxatives, such as OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate), can cause damage in your bowels. Let your provider know if you have stomach ulcers, blockage, or inflammation before taking OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate), and report any signs of severe stomach pain or blood in your stools.
If you have trouble swallowing or have problems with your gag reflex, let your provider know. Because you need to swallow many tablets and a lot of liquid with this bowel prep, this medication might put you at risk for gagging or choking. If you use OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate), you might need a caregiver or loved one to check on you as you take this medication in case you need medical attention. If you have trouble taking OsmoPrep (sodium phosphate), let your provider know as soon as possible.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
1.5g | 32 tablets | $274.23 | $8.57 |
Each Osmoprep tablet contains 1.5 grams of sodium phosphate. To prep and empty your bowels before the colonoscopy, you'll need to take a total of 32 Osmoprep tablets, divided into two doses.
Dose 1: Evening before your colonoscopy (20 tablets total)
Take 4 tablets by mouth with 8 ounces of clear liquids every 15 minutes for a total of 20 tablets.
Dose 2: The day of your colonoscopy (12 tablets total)
Starting 3 to 5 hours before colonoscopy, take 4 tablets by mouth with 8 ounces of clear liquids every 15 minutes for a total of 12 tablets.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
History of acute phosphate nephropathy (sudden kidney problem caused by phosphate products)
Gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction (stomach block)
Gastric bypass or stapling surgery
Bowel perforations (opening in the wall of your intestine)
Toxic colitis (severely inflamed colon)
Toxic megacolon (very dilated intestine)
Cleansing the colon to prepare for colonoscopy
Cleansing the colon to prepare for colonoscopy
Cleansing the colon to prepare for barium enema x-ray examination (Golytely, Colyte, Gavilyte-C, and certain generic preps only)
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