TELL A FRIEND ABOUT OSMOPREP Mail a Friend

Send a friend a link to this page.

Your Name:
Your E-mail:
Friend's Name:
Friend's E-mail:

Send me a copy of this e-mail
Send me updates about OsmoPrep

ARE YOU AT RISK FOR COLON CANCER?

TAKE THE RISK ASSESSMENT NOW

Print this page:

Font Size:

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.¹ Colon cancer (also referred to as colorectal cancer) begins as a small lesion or polyp in the colon that most people would not be able to feel. Over time, the polyp could begin to grow slowly and eventually become cancerous. This may be the only time a person begins experiencing symptoms associated with colon cancer. Most of the time, colon cancer is treatable when it is detected early.

Symptoms of colon cancer may vary from person to person, but there may be no signs at all.

If you experience these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you have colon cancer; they are simply the symptoms seen most often with colon cancer.

Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
Anemia
Blood in the stool
Change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or other)
Obstructive symptoms
Rectal bleeding
Weakness
Weight loss

If you experience any of these signs, please discuss them with your healthcare provider immediately. Your healthcare provider can determine your level of risk and proceed with the proper course of action.

Since polyps in the colon can develop into cancer, it's essential that they are detected early and removed. This can happen with routine examination.

Why is colon cancer screening important even when you have no symptoms?

Polyps may develop in the colon and grow for years. In this time they can become cancerous, without any sign of symptoms. By the time symptoms occur, the cancer may not be curable. It may have also spread. Routine colon cancer screening can catch polyps early and actually prevent cancer from occurring.

How can you prevent colon cancer?

Are you at risk for colon cancer?

What is a colonosocopy?

Important Safety Information about OsmoPrep

WARNINGS

There have been rare, but serious reports of acute phosphate nephropathy in patients who received oral sodium phosphate products for colon cleansing prior to colonoscopy. Some cases have resulted in permanent impairment of renal function and some patients required long–term dialysis. While some cases have occurred in patients without identifiable risk factors, patients at increased risk of acute phosphate nephropathy may include those with increased age, hypovolemia, increased bowel transit time (such as bowel obstruction), active colitis, or baseline kidney disease, and those using medicines 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]).

It is important to use the dose and dosing regimen as recommended (PM/AM split dose).

Please see full Prescribing Information for OsmoPrep, including BOXED WARNING.

OsmoPrep^® (sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, USP, and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, USP) Tablets are indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. Considerable caution should be advised before OsmoPrep is used in patients with severe renal insufficiency, congestive heart failure, ascites, unstable angina, gastric retention, ileus, severe chronic constipation, bowel perforation, toxic megacolon, gastric bypass or stapling surgery, or hypomotility syndrome. Use with caution in patients with impaired renal function, patients with a history of seizures or at higher risk of seizure, patients with higher risk of cardiac arrhythmias, known or suspected electrolyte disturbances (such as dehydration), or people taking drugs that affect electrolyte levels. Patients with electrolyte abnormalities such as hypernatremia, hyperphosphatemia, hypokalemia, or hypocalcemia should have their electrolytes corrected before treatment with OsmoPrep.

OsmoPrep is contraindicated in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to sodium phosphate salts or any of its ingredients, and in patients with biopsy–proven acute phosphate nephropathy. In clinical trials, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (reporting frequency >3%) were abdominal bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. It is recommended that patients receiving OsmoPrep be advised to adequately hydrate before, during, and after the use of OsmoPrep.

Reference

Colon Cancer Alliance. Disease information: CRC facts & figures. Available at: http://www.ccalliance.org/about/disease/crcfacts.html. Accessed May 11, 2007.