Fleet Phospho-Soda was an oral sodium phosphate (OSP) medication used to cleanse the bowels prior to certain surgical or diagnostic procedures, such as a colonoscopy. It was available as an over-the-counter laxative up until December 2008. Comprised of sodium phosphate salts and made by C.B. Fleet Company, Fleet Phospho-Soda has been reported to cause a range of serious health complications including acute phosphate nephropathy (a serious type of kidney damage) and, in the worst cases, renal (kidney) failure.
These findings ultimately caused the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in December 2008 to:
- recommend that Fleet Phospho-Soda not be available over the counter
- mandate that C.B. Fleet Company include Black Box Warnings on all prescription laxatives, such as OsmoPrep tablets and Viscol tablets
- use of prescription laxatives still on the market be limited and that doctors keep a close eye on patients who are using these medications.
The FDA’s announcement led C.B. Fleet Company to immediately and voluntarily recall the over-the-counter Fleet Phospho-Soda.
Symptoms of and Risk Factors for Fleet Phospho-Soda Kidney Damage
Those who suffer kidney damage as a result of using Fleet Phospho-Soda may experience any of the following symptoms:
- arrhythmia
- bloating
- dehydration
- diarrhea
- dizziness or difficulty concentrating
- foamy and/or bubbly urine
- high blood pressure
- muscle spasms
- nausea and vomiting
- seizures
- swelling of the extremities and/or face
Those with the highest risk of developing severe Fleet Phospho-Soda kidney damage include patients with a history of:
- alcohol or drug addiction
- congestive heart failure
- epilepsy
- inflammatory bowel disease
- kidney or liver damage
Additionally, those who are older than 56 years old, are dehydrated, and/or are on a doctor-prescribed low-salt diet will have an elevated risk of sustaining serious injuries due to use of OSP medications.
Settlements for Fleet Phospho-Soda Kidney Damage
Despite the FDA recall of OTC OSP medications and the Black Box Warnings on the prescription versions, many people have sustained kidney injuries as a result of using Fleet Phospho-Soda, and these victims are entitled to compensation for their medical bills, injuries, pain and suffering by initiating a defective drug lawsuit against C.B. Fleet Company.
Skilled defective drug attorneys encourage victims to attend a free initial consultation and follow through with a personal injury lawsuit in order to secure the Fleet Phospho-Soda kidney damage settlement they deserve.
