Acute Phosphate Nephropathy

A Side Effect of Visicol and OsmoPrep

Acute phosphate nephropathy is a form of kidney injury that is caused by oral sodium phosphate products. The oral sodium phosphates (OSPs) that cause this side effect are the prescription products Visicol and OsmoPrep.

Acute phosphate nephropathy is a cause of both acute and chronic renal failure (kidney failure).  Phosphate crystals form and are deposited in the renal tubes of the kidneys, damaging the nephrons.  When acute phosphate nephropathy occurs, renal impairment can be permanent, and may require chronic dialysis.

Certain people who used OSPs are at greater risk of acute phosphate nephropathy.  These include 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).  Importantly, even people with previously normal kidney function can develop acute phosphate nephropathy after using an oral sodium phosphate (OSP) product.

Acute Phosphate Nephropathy Symptoms

Symptoms of acute phosphate nephropathy can include:

• feeling ill
• drowsiness
• lethargy
• decreased urine
• swelling of the ankles, feet and legs

There also may be no outward symptoms of acute phosphate nephropathy, in which case it can only be detected by blood tests that measure kidney function (serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels).

FDA Warns of Acute Phosphate Nephropathy Risk

Visicol, and OsmoPrep initially were sold without warning of the risk of acute phosphate nephropathy.  On December 11, 2008, the FDA issued a Safety Alert warning of the risk:

"The FDA has become aware of reports of acute phosphate nephropathy, a type of acute kidney injury, associated with the use of oral sodium phosphate products (OSP) for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy or other procedures.  These products include the prescription products Visicol and OsmoPrep.  In some cases when used for bowel cleansing, these serious adverse events have occurred in patients without identifiable factors that would put them at risk for developing acute kidney injury."

Acute Phosphate Nephropathy Lawsuit

If your kidneys failed after using Visicol or OsmoPrep, you may have a legal claim against these products’ manufacturers for your injury.  You may contact the OsmoPrep lawyers and Visicol attorneys at DeCarli Law for a free consultation.