Frequently asked questions about OsmoPrep
What is OsmoPrep?
OsmoPrep is a prescription medicine in the form of hard, white to off-white tablets. It is used to clean the colon prior
to
colonoscopy in adults aged 18 years or older. OsmoPrep cleanses the colon by inducing diarrhea.
Do not take OsmoPrep if you are allergic to or have a hypersensitivity to sodium phosphate salts or to any of the ingredients
in OsmoPrep. In addition, OsmoPrep is not approved for use in patients younger than 18 years. Ask your doctor if you have
any questions about whether OsmoPrep is safe for you.
What should I tell my doctor before taking OsmoPrep?
Your doctor needs to know your medical history to decide if OsmoPrep is right for you. Tell your doctor about all of your
medical conditions, including if you have a history of the following:
- Renal (kidney) insufficiency
- Electrolyte disorders
- Congestive heart failure or other heart-related issues
- Unstable angina (chest pain due to blockage in the hearts blood vessels)
- Gastrointestinal obstruction or motility issues, including constipation
- Colitis or other colon-related health issues
- Bowel perforation
- Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity)
- Gastric bypass or stapling surgery
- Seizures
- If you think you may be pregnant
In addition, make sure your doctor is aware of any medications that you are taking, especially any of the following:
- Diuretics
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Active ingredient: sodium phosphate
Inactive ingredients: polyethylene glycol 8000, magnesium stearate
OsmoPrep is gluten-free.
What are the possible side effects of OsmoPrep?
The most common side effects with OsmoPrep are abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Other
less common side effects include dizziness and headache. These are not all of the possible side effects associated
with OsmoPrep. For more information, ask a healthcare professional.
How should I take OsmoPrep?
Follow the instructions exactly as given to you by your doctor. OsmoPrep Tablets should be swallowed whole with
the clear liquid of your choice. You should drink one 8-oz glass of clear liquid with each 4-tablet dose of OsmoPrep.
It is important to complete the entire regimen as instructed by your doctor.
How long does it take for OsmoPrep to work?
People typically experience a bowel movement within a couple hours of starting the prep, but this varies from
person to person. If you have experienced no effects after several hours, you should consult your physician.
Why is it important to stay hydrated while taking OsmoPrep?
To prevent dehydration, drink the prescribed amount of clear liquids while taking OsmoPrep, and make a conscious effort
to remain adequately hydrated before, during, and after the use of OsmoPrep.
How should I store OsmoPrep?
Store at room temperature (59-86°F or 15-30°C).
General information about OsmoPrep
Do not use OsmoPrep to treat a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not share OsmoPrep with other people.
Keep out of reach of children.
This is a summary of important information about OsmoPrep. For more information, consult a doctor or call 800-508-0024.
OsmoPrep comes with a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.
How to take OsmoPrep
Questions to ask your healthcare provider about
colonoscopies and preps
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.
References
- Rex DK, Schwartz H, Goldstein M, et al. Safety and colon-cleansing efficacy of a new residue-free formulation of sodium phosphate tablets. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101:2594-2604.