OsmoPrep

Generic name:sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate (oral) [ SOE-dee-um-bye-FOS-fate-and-SOE-dee-um-FOS-fate ]
Drug class:Laxatives

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jul 1, 2020.

What is OsmoPrep?

OsmoPrep tablets contain a combination of sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate, both are forms of phosphorus, which is a naturally occurring substance that is important in every cell in the body.

OsmoPrep is used in adults to treat constipation and to clean the bowel before a colonoscopy. OsmoPrep cleans your colon by causing you to have diarrhea.

Using OsmoPrep to clean your colon helps your doctor see the inside of your colon more clearly during the colonoscopy.

Warnings

You should not use OsmoPrep if you have kidney disease, a bowel obstruction, a perforated bowel, colitis or toxic megacolon, or a history of gastric bypass surgery or stomach stapling.

In rare cases, this medicine can cause kidney failure, especially if you have: kidney disease, congestive heart failure, severe constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, if you are over 55, or if you are dehydrated. Using certain other medicines can also increase your risk of kidney problems.

Do not use more than 1 dose in any 24-hour period. If you do not get any results within 30 minutes after using OsmoPrep, call your doctor before using another dose.

Using too much OsmoPrep can cause rare but life-threatening side effects on your kidneys and heart.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use OsmoPrep if you are allergic to sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate, or if you have:

• kidney disease (or if you have ever had a biopsy showing a kidney problem caused by too much phosphate);

• a bowel obstruction;

• a perforated bowel;

• colitis or toxic megacolon; or

• a history of gastric bypass surgery or stomach stapling.

In rare cases, OsmoPrep can cause kidney failure, especially if:

• you have kidney disease;

• you have congestive heart failure;

• you have severe constipation or inflammatory bowel disease;

• you take certain medicines to treat high blood pressure or heart disease;

• you take an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug);

• you are older than 55; or

• you are dehydrated.

Do not use Osmoprep if you have already used it within the past 7 days.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:

• kidney disease;

• heart disease;

• dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low levels of calcium, potassium, sodium,...