Sodium Phosphate

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Sodium phosphate is used in adults 18 years of age or older to empty the colon (large intestine, bowel) before a colonoscopy (examination of the inside of the colon to check for colon cancer and other abnormalities) so that the doctor will have a clear view of the walls of the colon. Sodium phosphate is in a class of medications called saline laxatives. It works by causing diarrhea so that the stool can be emptied from the colon.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Sodium phosphate comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken as one dose the night before a colonoscopy is scheduled and one dose the following morning (3 to 5 hours before the procedure). For each dose, your doctor will tell you to take a certain number of tablets with 8 ounces of clear liquid, wait 15 minutes, and then take more tablets with 8 ounces of clear liquid. You will repeat this several more times until you have taken all the tablets that your doctor prescribed for that dose.

It is very important that you drink the full amount of clear liquid with each dose of sodium phosphate, and that you drink plenty of clear liquid at other times before, during, and after your treatment with sodium phosphate. Examples of clear liquids are water, clear flavored broth, herbal or black tea, black coffee, flavored water, lemonade or limeade without pulp, apple or white grape juice, gelatin, popsicles, and clear soda (ginger ale). Do not drink alcohol, milk, or any liquids that are colored purple or red. Tell your doctor if you have trouble drinking clear liquids.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking sodium phosphate,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sodium phosphate, other medications, or any of the ingredients in the tablets. Check the prescription label or ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor if you have already taken sodium phosphate or used an enema containing sodium phosphate within the past 7 days. You should not take sodium phosphate more than once in 7 days.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: alprazolam (Xanax), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), diazepam (Diastat, Valium), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin), estazolam, flurazepam, lorazepam (Ativan), medications for seizures, midazolam (Versed) moxifloxacin (Avelox), pimozide (Orap), quinidine (Quinidex, in Nuedexta), sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine), thioridazine, or triazolam (Halcion). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with sodium phosphate, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
• if you are taking any other medications by mouth, talk to your doctor about when you should take them during your treatment with sodium phosphate. Medications that you take 1 hour before you take sodium phosphate may not be absorbed properly.
• tell your doctor if you follow a low salt diet, if you had been drinking large amounts of alcohol or taking medications for anxiety or seizures and are now gradually decreasing your use of these substances, and if you have had heart surgery. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), an irregular heartbeat, a heart attack, chest pain, seizures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; a group of conditions in which all or part of the lining of the intestine is swollen, irritated, or has sores) difficulty swallowing.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Your doctor will tell you what you may eat and drink before, during, and after your treatment with sodium phosphate. Follow these directions carefully.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Call your doctor if you forget or are unable to take sodium phosphate exactly as directed.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Sodium phosphate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or do not go away:

• stomach pain
• nausea
• bloating

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• irregular heartbeat
• vomiting
• fainting
• seizures
• rash
• hives
• itching
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, mouth or throat
• burning or tingling of the lips, tongue, or mouth
• throat tightness
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

Sodium phosphate may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• seizures
• irregular heartbeat
• vomiting
• dizziness
• headache
• decreased urination

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable, since you will not need more sodium phosphate after your colonoscopy.

Sodium phosphate has also been sold as a nonprescription laxative to relieve constipation. Many nonprescription oral sodium phosphate products are no longer sold in the United States, but some may still be available. If you are taking oral sodium phosphate for constipation, it is important that you take it exactly as directed on the package label. Do not take more of the medication than directed on the label for each dose, and do not take more than one dose in 24 hours even if you do not have a bowel movement after you take the medication. Do not give nonprescription oral sodium phosphate to a child 5 years of age or younger unless the child's doctor tells you that you can. Taking too much nonprescription sodium phosphate may cause serious damage to the heart or kidneys or death.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: March 15, 2019.