Fleet Phospho-soda Prep Lawsuits

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<<

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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.

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13 Comments

  • ElenaJuly 30, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    I am 100% agree with the comment posted by Furious Femme on September 2009. I suffered the same on November 16, 2001, had acute kidney failure, spent 10 days in Hillcrest Hospital and now to the end of my life I have chronic kidney disease. I was 63 that time and had to take early retirement. In December 2009 Beasley-Allen Law firm included me in the Class-Action Suit against Fleet Co. I was promi[Show More]I am 100% agree with the comment posted by Furious Femme on September 2009. I suffered the same on November 16, 2001, had acute kidney failure, spent 10 days in Hillcrest Hospital and now to the end of my life I have chronic kidney disease. I was 63 that time and had to take early retirement. In December 2009 Beasley-Allen Law firm included me in the Class-Action Suit against Fleet Co. I was promised $550,000.00 or more as a compensation for lost health. But I was just a number needed for building the huge MDL case. Without giving me an explanation on the reason for slashing the original value of my case Fleet offered me 16% of original value and Beasley-Allen lawyer Roger Smith did not negotiate on my behalve. He was looking for the way do not pay me at all.He did not pay me a penny. Instead he made several attempts to convince me do not take any money for my injury because as he thinks if I take money I will lose all my social benefits and will pay income tax on it. He pretends he does not know that compensation for health injury is not income and there is no tax on it! In such litigation as I found out now only lawyers involved in Mass Tort from both sides of the case are winners. Most claimants left with their lost health and penniless. Such shame! Is this Justice?! Elena

  • JudyJuly 12, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    Is CB Fleet Company bringing lawsuit against their carrier, Lloyd's of London? Sounds like Lloyd's of London does not want to pay settlements since they claim Fleet did not reveal the issues they had with their product.

  • michaelFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:30 pm

    I had never had any heart problems before and after doing a fleets prep for a colonoscopy found the next morning to be in A Fib. I have been dealing with it for 5 years.

  • SowDecember 15, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    It is a concentrated form of the gallons of salt prep they force on us now. It could damage your kidneys if you don't drink the water you are directed to. So now they force you to drink the water my mixing the salt in a gallon or two. I bought out the supply when I saw them pulling it from the market, so I am good to go for a lone time. I will gladly drink the extra water and use this concentr[Show More]It is a concentrated form of the gallons of salt prep they force on us now. It could damage your kidneys if you don't drink the water you are directed to. So now they force you to drink the water my mixing the salt in a gallon or two. I bought out the supply when I saw them pulling it from the market, so I am good to go for a lone time. I will gladly drink the extra water and use this concentrated form. Just wish I had got the pills before they pulled those for the same reason.

  • TonySeptember 10, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Since using what I believe was Fleet for my colonoscopy prep in late 2003, I have had terrible, sometimes unbearable sharp, cramping type pains in my entire abdomen each time my bowels start to move. I can't say 100% that it was the Fleet solution, or Go-lightly, but something is wrong Prior to me having this bowel prep, I NEVER had any issues of any kind. Was healthy as can be. Since, at least 4 [Show More]Since using what I believe was Fleet for my colonoscopy prep in late 2003, I have had terrible, sometimes unbearable sharp, cramping type pains in my entire abdomen each time my bowels start to move. I can't say 100% that it was the Fleet solution, or Go-lightly, but something is wrong Prior to me having this bowel prep, I NEVER had any issues of any kind. Was healthy as can be. Since, at least 4 - 6 times a week I get these severe pains, a combination of severe cramps along with the feeling someone is stabbing me in the stomach. I wouldn't recommend these preps to anyone.

  • JackJune 17, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    I used Fleet S in France for a colonoscopy since then my kidney fonction are impair! I'm only 35!!!! what should I do !

  • PrepRepDecember 3, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    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 soluti[Show More]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.

  • KarenNovember 13, 2009 at 3:59 am

    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[Show More]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.

  • JodyNovember 11, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    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.

  • JamesSeptember 23, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    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.

  • Furious FemmeSeptember 18, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    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 perfo[Show More]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?

  • TraceyMay 8, 2009 at 7:38 am

    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.

  • Fleet Phospho-Soda Lawsuit Filed By Three Florida Women Who Suffered Kidney Injury : AboutLawsuits.comFebruary 26, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    [...] Fleet Phospho-soda lawsuit was filed on February 17, 2009, on behalf of Sara Hancock, Mary Lou Abrams and Ruth Hite, who [...]

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