Visicol Can Cause Kidney Damage
Visicol is an oral sodium phosphate product (OSP) primarily used for bowel cleansing before a colonoscopy. Visicol also is used for general care after surgery and to help relieve constipation. Visicol 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 Visicol. A person whose kidneys failed after using Visicol, especially resulting in dialysis, kidney transplant or death due to renal failure, can likely assert a personal injury claim against Visicol’s manufacturer.
Visicol Used for Bowel Cleansing Before Colonoscopy
Visicol, 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 Visicol for use in the United States on September 21, 2000. Its active ingredients are sodium phosphate monobasic and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous.
FDA Warns of Kidney Damage from Visicol
After receiving reports of kidney damage from Visicol, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a
safety alert on December 11, 2008, warning of Visicol risks. The FDA specifically warned of the risk of acute kidney injury from Visicol, and required that the manufacturer of Visicol add a black “Boxed Warning” to the Visicol label. Before, the label contained no warning. Now, every Visicol 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])."
Visicol Side Effects
Visicol can cause
acute phosphate nephropathy and permanent impairment of renal function (kidney function). Visicol 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 Visicol, the people most at risk for Visicol 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.
Visicol 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 Visicol or
OsmoPrep, another prescription oral sodium phosphate (OSP)
, the Visicol attorneys and Visicol 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 Visicol lawsuit or Oral Sodium Phosphate lawsuit (OSP lawsuit).