Why is a bowel prep necessary?
The colon
needs to be completely emptied of all stool before a colonoscopy can be performed. If waste is inside the colon
when the procedure is performed, the physician may be unable to view the inside surface of the colon clearly.
When the view of the colon surface is obscured, it can lead to a longer exam and can reduce its accuracy. It may
also make it necessary for a second exam or could lead to remaining undiagnosed conditions.
The objective of a bowel prep is to remove all solid waste in the digestive tract quickly, which in turn will
cause diarrhea, leaving the colon clean. The prep must be completed correctly before the
colon can be examined.
OsmoPrep Tablets are the latest advancement in the evolution of
colonoscopy prep.
Because OsmoPrep is a tablet colon
prep, not a liquid, you only taste the clear liquid you take it with...not the prep.
There are several different bowel preps available. Take the time to discuss your options with your
healthcare professional.
Sodium phosphate tablets prep
These
virtually tasteless tablets
are taken in a series with clear liquid. They cause the colon to absorb water from the body and flush out solid waste.
PEG (polyethylene glycol) lavage prep
A flushing effect is created to remove solid waste from the colon when up to 4 liters of nonabsorbable liquid is
consumed. Sometimes the PEG prep will also require the patient to use laxatives and drink other additional liquids.
Sodium phosphate solution prep
This method allows for the absorption of water into the colon to remove solid waste. Along with 2 to 3 glasses
of a sodium phosphate solution, a person will need to consume additional clear liquids.
It is important that you understand how to finish your bowel prep successfully and know you will need to alter
your normal dietary habits for a few days before the colonoscopy. The key to a successful colonoscopy is to
follow your healthcare professional’s bowel prep instructions.
Questions to ask your healthcare provider about colonoscopies.
Learn more about OsmoPrep — the tablet colonoscopy prep.
What is a colonosocopy?
What happens during a colonoscopy?
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.