OsmoPrep Can Cause Kidney Damage

OsmoPrep is an oral sodium phosphate product (OSP) primarily used for bowel cleansing before a colonoscopy. OsmoPrep also is used for general care after surgery and to help relieve constipation. The FDA has warned that OsmoPrep can cause kidney damage, including acute phosphate nephropathy and kidney failure (renal failure). Kidney failure can occur anywhere from a few hours to several weeks after using OsmoPrep. A person whose kidneys failed after using OsmoPrep, especially resulting in dialysis, kidney transplant or death due to renal failure, can likely assert a personal injury claim against OsmoPrep’s manufacturer.

OsmoPrep Used for Bowel Cleansing Before Colonoscopy

OsmoPrep, manufactured by Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a prescription-only medicine used to clean the colon, primarily before a colonoscopy. It works by inducing diarrhea by causing the body to lose fluids through bowel movements. The FDA approved OsmoPrep for use in the United States in 2006. Its active ingredients are sodium phosphate monobasic and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous.

FDA Warning that OsmoPrep Can Cause Kidney Damage

After receiving reports of kidney damage from OsmoPrep, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert on December 11, 2008 that warned of the risks of using OsmoPrep.  The FDA specifically warned of the risk of acute kidney injury from OsmoPrep, and required that the manufacturer of OsmoPrep add a black “Boxed Warning” to the OsmoPrep label. Before, the label contained no warning.  Now, every OsmoPrep label must contain the following warning:

"There have been rare, but serious reports of acute phosphate nephropathy in patients who received oral sodium phosphate products for colon cleansing prior to colonoscopy. Some cases have resulted in permanent impairment of renal function and some patients required long-term dialysis. While some cases have occurred in patients without identifiable risk factors, patients at increased risk of acute phosphate nephropathy may include those with increased age, hypovolemia, increased bowel transit time (such as bowel obstruction), active colitis, or baseline kidney disease, and those using medicines that affect renal perfusion or function (such as diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs], and possibly nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs])."

OsmoPrep Side Effects

OsmoPrep can cause kidney damage, including acute phosphate nephropathy and permanent impairment of renal function (kidney function). OsmoPrep has caused complete kidney failure in some people, resulting in death or requiring them to be on dialysis permanently or have a kidney transplant.

Although anyone can suffer acute phosphate nephropathy or kidney failure after using OsmoPrep, the people most at risk for OsmoPrep side effects are those with underlying chronic kidney disease, people over age 55, and women, and patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin). People with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia are also at risk.

OsmoPrep Lawsuits

If you or a loved one has suffered acute phosphate nephropathy, kidney failure (renal failure), had a kidney transplant, gone on dialysis, or died after using OsmoPrep, or after using another oral sodium phosphate (OSP) called Visicol, the OsmoPrep attorneys/kidney damage lawyers at DeCarli Law can advise you of your legal rights in a free, confidential telephone consultation. If you have been injured, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries from a OsmoPrep lawsuit or Oral Sodium Phosphate lawsuit (OSP lawsuit).