| | Fleet® Phospho-soda® has been rarely associated with severe and potentially fatal cases of electrolyte disorders in elderly patients. The benefit/risk ratio of Fleet® Phospho-soda® needs to be carefully considered before initiating treatment in this at-risk population.Special attention should be taken when prescribing Fleet® Phospho-soda® to any patient with regard to known contraindications and the importance of adequate hydration and, in at-risk populations (see below and sections 4.2 and 4.3.), the importance of also obtaining baseline and post-treatment electrolyte levels. |
Dehydration This product usually works within ½ to 6 hours. If there has been no bowel movement within 6 hours of taking Fleet Phospho-soda, instruct the patient to stop use and contact a doctor immediately as dehydration could occur.Patients should be warned to expect frequent, liquid stools. Patients should be encouraged to drink as much liquid as possible to help prevent dehydration. Inadequate fluid intake when using any effective purgative may lead to excessive fluid loss possibly producing dehydration and hypovolemia. Dehydration and hypovolemia from purgation may be exacerbated by inadequate oral fluid intake, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or use of diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBS), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and may be associated with acute renal failure. There have been rare reports of acute renal failure with purgatives, including sodium phosphates and PEG-3350.Patients with conditions that may predispose to dehydration or those taking medications which may decrease glomerular filtration rate, should be assessed for hydration status prior to use of purgative preparations and managed appropriately.Nephrocalcinosis Nephrocalcinosis associated with acute renal failure and deposits of calcium-phosphate crystals in the renal tubules has been rarely reported in patients using sodium phosphates for bowel cleansing; Nephrocalcinosis is a serious adverse event that may result in permanent renal function impairment and the requirement of long-term dialysis. The majority of these reports occurred in elderly female patients taking drugs to treat hypertension or other drug products, such as diuretics or NSAIDs, that may result in dehydration.Care should be taken to prescribe Fleet Phospho-soda per recommendations with a particular attention to known contraindications and adequate hydration.At risk patients Use with caution in patients with an increased risk for underlying renal impairment, pre-existing electrolyte disturbances, increased risk for electrolyte disturbances (e.g. dehydration, gastric retention, colitis, inability to take adequate oral fluid, hypertension or other conditions in which the patients are taking products that may result in dehydration, see below), hypotension with clinical impact or associated with hypovolaemia, , heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, , or with debilitated or elderly patients. In these at-risk patients, consider obtaining baseline and post-treatment sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values.Electrolyte disorders There is a risk of elevated serum levels of sodium and phosphate and decreased levels of calcium and potassium; consequently hypernatraemia, hyperphosphataemia, hypocalcaemia, hypokalaemia, and acidosis may occur.Slight QT interval prolongation may rarely occur as a result of electrolyte imbalances such as hypocalcaemia or hypokalaemia. These changes are clinically insignificant.Hypomotility Use with caution in patients with hypomotility disorders or who have had gastro-intestinal surgery or have other medical conditions predisposing them to hypomotility disorders. If the patient has had a colostomy or ileostomy, or must keep to a salt-free diet, the preparation must be used with caution, since a disturbance of electrolyte balance, dehydration or a disturbance of acid balance may arise.Lesions Single or multiple aphthoid-like punctiform lesions located in the rectosigmoid region have been observed by endoscopy. These were either lymphoid follicles or discrete inflammatory infiltrates or epithelial congestions/changes revealed by the colonic preparation. These abnormalities are not clinically significant and disappear spontaneously without any treatment.Sodium content Fleet Phospho-soda contains 5.0g sodium in each 45 ml dose. Consideration should therefore be given to the potential harm to patients requiring a low-sodium diet. | |