Oral sodium phosphate (OSP) bowel cleansing products are used to cleanse the bowels before certain medical procedures such as colonoscopies. Prescription products such as Salix's Visicol and Osmoprep continue to be used, but over the counter (OTC) drugs such as C.B. Fleet's Fleet Phospho-soda, Fleet ACCU-PREP, Fleet EZ Prep and Fleet Phospho-soda E-Z Prep Bowel Cleansing System are no longer available after the FDA linked the products to acute phosphate nephropathy (nephrocalcinosis) – a kidney injury. Numerous lawsuits have been filed – many of those by people who were not at risk of kidney damage.

Severe injuries reported

OSP use has caused severe kidney damage medically known as acute phosphate nephropathy (APN), or nephrocalcinosis, according to the Drug Administration (FDA). APN is a form of acute renal (kidney) failure which is caused by the build-up of calcium-phosphate crystals. It can create permanent renal impairment requiring chronic dialysis. Symptoms may include malaise; lethargy; drowsiness; decreased urine volume and swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs.

Risk factors

According to the FDA, people have an increased risk of developing acute phosphate nephropathy with the use of OSP bowel cleansing products if they:

• are 55 years or older,
• are dehydrated,
• have a history of kidney problems,
• have delayed bowel emptying,
• have active colitis, or
• take certain medications that affect kidney function, such as diuretic (fluid) pills, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (medications that lower blood pressure), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs, used to treat high blood pressure, heart or kidney failure), and possibly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, like ibuprofen or other arthritis medications).

For additional information, see the FDA's website. To view a video from the FDA, please click here.

Florida Attorney says some consumers forced into dialysis

While some people are at greater risk of injury, many others have been injured who were not at greater risk to begin with. Douglass A. Kreis, is one of the leading product defect attorneys investigating the Fleet OSP matter in conjunction with the Advocate Law Group. Mr. Kreis has found that the Fleet product harmed many people who were not at risk for kidney damage. In particular, Mr. Kreis stated:

We have seen some very serious and alarming injuries resulting from oral sodium phosphates including products sold by C.B. Fleet Company, Inc. and C.B. Fleet Holding Company, Inc., a company based out Virginia. The tell tale sign is the development of renal failure and kidney damage and, in some instances, consumers have been forced to undergo dialysis treatment and suffered terribly.

If you've been injured due to OSP use, contact an experienced OSP attorney to discuss your situation and evaluate your options. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.