Fleet Phospho-soda Prep Lawsuits
Last Updated: February 2009 • 7 Comments
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Fleet Phospho-soda is an oral sodium phosphate solution commonly used to relieve constipation or as a bowel cleanser prior to a colonoscopy. When it is used at higher doses for colonoscopy prep, it can cause a form of kidney damage known as acute phosphate nephropathy. In December 2008, a Fleet Phospho-soda prep recall was issued due to the risk of kidney problems.
FLEET PHOSPHO-SODA LAWSUIT STATUS: Over 150 people have filed a Fleet Phospho-soda lawsuit after suffering a kidney injury during the days after their procedure. Phospho-soda Prep lawyers are reviewing potential cases throughout the United States.
>>CONTACT A FLEET PHOSPHO-SODA ATTORNEY<<
MANUFACTURER: C.B. Fleet Company, Inc.
OVERVIEW: Fleet Phospho-soda was an over-the-counter product which was safely used for a number of years as a laxative. However, during the 1990s, the manufacturer began marketing the product for use at double doses to cleanse the bowels as part of a colonoscopy prep.
The product is an oral sodium phosphate solution, which has been linked to a risk of a serious form of kidney damage when used at high doses. Double doses of Fleet Phospho-soda were never approved by the FDA or determined to be safe, and could lead to:
- Acute Phosphate Nephropathy
- Kidney Damage or Renal Disease
- Dialysis
- Kidney Transplant
- Death
FLEET PHOSPHO-SODA RECALL: In December 2008, the FDA indicated that Fleet Phospho-soda should not be used over-the-counter as a bowel prep. In response, a Fleet Phospho-soda recall was issued and the following products are no longer on the market:
- Fleet Phospho Soda Oral Saline Laxative
- Fleet Phospho-Soda EZ-Prep Bowel Cleansing System
- Fleet Phospho Accu-Prep
ACUTE PHOSPHATE NEPHROPATHY: The FDA has confirmed that at least 21 people have developed acute phosphate nephropathy after using oral sodium phosphate solutions like Fleet Phospho-soda. Also referred to as Acute Nephrocacinosis, acute phosphate nephropathy is associated with the deposit of calcium-phosphate crystals in the renal tubules that can permanently impair kidney function.
Within a few hours to 21 days after a colonoscopy or colon surgery where Fleet Phospho-soda or another oral sodium phosphate product was used for bowel prep, symptoms may develop like fluid retention, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, muscle twitching and seizures.
The risk of acute phosphate nephropathy from Fleet Phospho-soda is greater among those who are over 55 years old, those who suffer from dehydration, kidney disease, acute colitis or delayed bowel emptying, and those who are taking medications that affect the kidney, like fluid pills, blood pressure, heart failure or kidney failure drugs.
Pingback by Fleet Phospho-Soda Lawsuit Filed By Three Florida Women Who Suffered Kidney Injury : AboutLawsuits.com on 26 February 2009:
[...] Fleet Phospho-soda lawsuit was filed on February 17, 2009, on behalf of Sara Hancock, Mary Lou Abrams and Ruth Hite, who [...]
Comment by Tracey on 8 May 2009:
Took fleet phospho soda as a prep for hysterectomy, and now my whole right side from forehead to toes is numb and tingling. This is since 12/3/08 and it is now 5/8/09. I have been on blood pressure meds since 9/07 including diueretics. Doctors said I experienced a mini stroke.
Comment by Furious Femme on 18 September 2009:
My elderly mum, who has a history of hypertension and hyperthyroidism and is being medicated for both took the Miralax/Gatorade/Dulcolax combo prep (aka PEG-ELS) as prescribed by her doctor for a routine colonoscopy. She became violently ill (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fainting, chills, weakness, etc) during the prep, but completed the prep precisely as directed. After all that, they never performed the procedure, because a pre-procedure EKG showed atrial fibrillation cardiac arrhythmia. They immediately admitted her to emergency, put her on Heparin and sodium/potassium drips and kept her for five days running random tests trying to link her new heart condition to her hyperthyroidism. However, I suspected from the start that the prep was the cause. I did extensive online medical research, finding that she most likely suffered from hyper/hypokalemia which led to the electrical change in her heart. Weeks later, her cardiac rhythm remains irregular and, in addition, she has now been diagnosed with renal insufficiency. I suspect both of these new conditions are a direct result of the colonoscopy prep as her health was very good before but now has been steadily declining ever since consuming the prep. A once healthy woman who practiced homeopathic/natural herbal remedies is now on numerous toxic, synthetic prescription drugs like the blood-thinner warfarin (the main ingredient in rat poison) therapy & in need of visiting endo/cardio/ortho/nephro/geropsych specialists on a regular basis. Ironically, all the natural medicinal foods that she should be eating to reverse or eliminate these conditions are precisely the foods she is not allowed to ingest now as they have serious reactions with her new meds. A recent CAT Scan showed she suffered a stroke as well. If bowel cleansing preps are so dangerous, why are doctors and pharmas so negligent in their prescribing & marketing?
Comment by James on 23 September 2009:
I took this medicine 2 to 3 times.Shortly after taking the 2nd time I have developed a irregular heart beat.I never had a irregular heart beat prior to taking the medicine.
Comment by Jody on 11 November 2009:
I took a fleet in Oct of 2005 as a prep for a colonoscopy. All went well until I went to deliver my daughter 9 months later. Not only did I pass a child through my birth canal, but I passed a kidney stone as well. I did not put two and two together until I heard the Fleet story. Child birth is painful enough on its own. My nobody have the pain I had.
Comment by Karen on 12 November 2009:
I used the Fleet Phosphate/Ducalax method to prepare for a colonoscopy and had no side effects at all. I really liked it compared to the GoLightly method. I have been searching for the instructions and found these postings and am very disappointed to see that the Fleet Phosphate has been taken off the market. Everything can’t work for everyone. I wonder how many people used the Fleet Phosphate with no trouble.
Comment by PrepRep on 3 December 2009:
Miralax is not an FDA approved bowel cleanser. It does not contain electrolyte solution like the approved preps. Miralax is an over the counter laxative. It is very dangerous to use in colonoscopy. It is also highly combustible. Electrolyte disturbances are not uncommon when purging 2-3L of fluid from your body. It is important to understand the safety of a prep before taking it. PEG solutions don’t taste good but are proven to be safe and effective. I imagine we will see a law suit against Miralax soon much like what we are seeing with over the counter fleet.