OSP Defective Drugs Lawyer, Jim S. Adler & Associates

Persons who undergo the unpleasantness of a colonoscopy to find possible health dangers may experience severe health problems as a result of the exam. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an urgent national warning -- including a so-called "box warning" -- for products using OSP, or Oral Sodium Phosphate. Sold both over-the-counter and via prescription, OSP often is taken as a laxative to clean out the bowels prior to an exam such as a colonoscopy.

The problem? OSP can cause acute phosphate nephropathy, an unusual and potentially deadly kidney injury. According to the FDA, the injury has clearly been associated with using OSP for a colonoscopy or comparable medical procedure.

Also known as nephrocalcinosis, this very serious condition involves deposits of calcium-phosphate crystals in the renal tubes. As an injury, acute phosphate nephropathy can range from the victim needing dialysis to the victim needing a kidney transplant to, in the worst cases, the victim suffering acute renal failure and even death.

OSP kidney injury can strike anyone. An insidious thing about OSP kidney injuries is that they can occur in anyone, including patients who have had no personal or family history of kidney disease. Anyone who takes OSP before a colonoscopy may end up suffering from acute phosphate nephropathy -- even if they've been in good general health, have had no prior kidney trouble and have no known kidney ailments in their family before being exposed to the drug OSP.

Yet some people are at increased risk of injury after exposure to OSP. The FDA says patients with a higher risk of acute phosphate nephropathy after taking OSP include those who are older than 55; have decreased intravascular volume; have baseline kidney disease, bowel obstruction or active colitis; or are using medications that effect renal function. The FDA says such medications include angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics and perhaps nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

OSP-caused kidney problems have varied symptoms

After exposure to OSP in a colonoscopy or other medical procedure, a patient may experience such side effects as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, dehydration and abdominal pain or bleeding. Other possible symptoms of injury include drowsiness, malaise, lethargy, decreased urine and swelling of the feet, ankles and legs.

Such effects of OSP kidney ailments may be evident within several hours of the colonoscopy or other procedure. On the other hand, they can take up to three weeks to manifest themselves.

Should you have reason to believe you are at risk after having a colonoscopy following use of an OSP drug, see a medical professional immediately. Then, if you have been injured by the drug, alert an experienced defective drugs lawyer with Jim S. Adler & Associates. The established personal injury law firm offers a free case review and has a long history of gaining financial compensation for those injured due to the negligence of pharmaceutical companies.

Fleet, OsmoPrep and Visicol pose dangers

Which companies are responsible? In this case, one of the more common OSP-laced over-the-counter items is sold by C.B. Fleet Co. Fleet has issued a voluntary recall of its Fleet Phospho-soda product.

The FDA also has required Fleet and other manufacturers of OSP products to include a "boxed warning" to alert consumers of their potential dangers. Also getting such a warning are the prescription products OsmoPrep and Visicol, both from Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The FDA has associated their use with acute phosphate nephropathy.

It's vital to be wary of such products before having a colonoscopy. However, if you already have been exposed to them and have reason to suspect a kidney injury, see your doctor immediately. After that, engage a defective drugs lawyer to seek full and just economic recovery for your OSP kidney injury due to manufacturer negligence.

DISCLAIMER: Though licensed to practice law in the state of Texas, Jim S. Adler & Associates, located at 3D/International Tower, 1900 West Loop South, 20th Floor, Houston, Texas 77027, also works, as needed, with local lawyers and outside counsel to litigate claims in other states, including:

Jim S. Adler & Associates in addition has offices serving clients at City Place Building, 2711 North Haskell Ave., Suite 2100 LB40, Dallas, Texas 75204-2887; San Pedro Plaza, 7330 San Pedro Ave., Suite 700, San Antonio, Texas 78216-6237; and Bank of America, 12605 East Freeway, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77015-5619 (serving Channelview, Texas).