Visicol

Sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium phosphate monobasic combination is used to clean or empty your bowels before an imaging procedure called colonoscopy. This medicine works by cleaning your colon and causing you to have diarrhea. This helps your doctor see the inside of your colon more clearly during colonoscopy, colon x-ray, or surgery in the colon.

This formulation is administered as an enema. This means that Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate is injected into your rectum.  

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription

There are some important things to consider before taking Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate.

Allergies

You cannot take Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate if you are allergic to it.

Health conditions

There are some conditions where Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate is highly contraindicated. You must not take Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate if you have any of the following conditions:

• Kidney disease
• Bowel obstruction, or blockage anywhere in the digestive tract
• Perforated bowel, or puncture anywhere in the digestive tract
• Colitis or inflammation in the large intestine
• Toxc megacolon
• History of having procedures such as gastric bypass surgery or stomach stapling

Tell the doctor all of the medical conditions you have before Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate. The doctor needs to know if you have:

• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or            Ulcerative colitis
• Difficulties swallowing
• Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Heart problems such as arrhythmias, or recently having heart attack or heart surgery
• Having seizures
• Recovering from drug or alcohol addiction
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Ongoing diarrhea or vomiting, or if you are profusely sweating
• If you are on low-salt diet

Risk of kidney failure

The doctor will discuss with you the risk of having kidney failure, although this is rare. The risk of kidney failure is more likely if you have any of the following conditions:

• Any disease affecting the kidneys
• Congestive heart failure
• Severe constipation or stomach pain
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• If you are taking medicines for hypertension or any heart condition
• If you are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Naproxen, Ibuprofen, or Indomethacin
• If you are aged 55 years old or older
• If you are dehydrated

Drug interactions

Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate can interact with certain medicines. To be safe, tell all the medicines you take to the doctor such as:

• Laxatives
• Antidepressants
• Medicines for treating seizures
• Medicines for kidney problems
• Anti-hypertensive medicines
• Medicines for heart disease

Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before taking Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate. You must not take Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate if you are or suspected to be pregnant.

Breastfeeding

You have to stop breastfeeding after taking Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate. Ask the doctor when you can resume breastfeeding after taking Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate.

Use on children and elderly

Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate cannot be given to children and elderly without doctor’s instructions.

This formulation of Sodium biphosphate and Sodium phosphate is an enema and usually administered by a health professional. The doctor will determine your dose. You will only receive one dose of Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate in a 24-hour period, and it should produce results within 30 minutes after administration.

Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate is usually administered in the health clinic or hospital. You can administer Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate by your own; lie on your left side, open the bottle tip, gently insert it into the rectum, and slowly squeeze the bottle to transfer the liquid into the rectum. You must remain lying down until you feel the urge to move your bowels, which should occur in 5 to 10 minutes. If you did not sense the need to relieve yourself after 10-30 minutes, call your doctor right away.

Your health provider will instruct you to drinklots of clear fluids such as water, flavored water, clear lemonade (without the pulp), ginger ale, or apple juice. Do not drink any liquid or eat anything that is colored red or purple.

Children younger than 12 years old and elderly will require closer monitoring when taking Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate.

Because you are under the supervision of your health providers, it is unlikely to miss or overdose on Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate.

If you experience any untoward symptoms after taking Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate, call the doctor right away.

You must be monitored for at least 24 hours after taking Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate. Call the doctor right away if you feel ill or have vomiting, diarrhea, profuse sweating, or other symptoms after taking the drug.

You need to have blood tests after taking Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate to monitor your electrolyte levels. Make sure to make up with scheduled clinic visits and lab tests.

Consult your doctor first if you will be using any sodium biphosphate product after taking Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate.

Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate may cause serious side effects that may occur from few minutes to a day after administration. Call the doctor if you experienced any of the following symptoms:

• Severe allergic reaction symptoms such as hives, skin rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue
• Any bleeding in the rectum
• Inability to move the bowels or no bowel movement
• Dizziness, vomiting or passing out too little urine
• Feeling very hot, extreme thirst, unable to urinate, heavy or profuse sweating, and hot or dry skin

Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate may cause some discomfort in the rectum. If the pain becomes worse, call the doctor.