The Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has determined that Oral Sodium Phosphate (OSP) products, which are used for bowel cleansing prior to a colonoscopy or other procedures, may cause a type of kidney injury known as acute phosphate nephropathy.
OSP products include the prescription products OsmoPrep and Visicol as well as the over-the-counter OSP product Fleet Phospho-soda EZ-prep, which can be used as a laxative.
Acute phosphate nephropathy, also known as nephrocalcinosis, is a serious kidney injury that can require a patient to need dialysis or a kidney transplant. This condition is associated with the deposit of calcium-phosphate crystals in the renal tubes. Acute phosphate nephropathy, in the most severe cases, can result in acute renal failure and even death, which may result in a potential wrongful death lawsuit.
The FDA reported that people taking OSP products may be at risk for kidney injuries, even if they had no prior kidney problems and do not have a family history of kidney disease.
According to the FDA, "Individuals with an increased risk of acute phosphate nephropathy following the use of oral sodium phosphate (OSP) products include those who are over the age of 55; who are hypovolemic or have decreased intravascular volume; who have baseline kidney disease, bowel obstruction, or active colitis; and who are using medications that affect renal perfusion or function (such as diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs], and possibly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs])."
The FDA requires the manufacturer of Visicol and OsmoPrep to include the agency's strongest warnings — "black box warnings" — on their labels due to the risk of kidney injury.
Contact Metzger Wickersham if you or a loved one has been injured after taking Oral Sodium Phosphate (OSP). A skilled Oral Sodium Phosphate lawyer can help you decide on how to proceed with an OSP lawsuit. Remember, your initial consultation is free, and you don't pay unless you win.
