Acute Phosphate Nephropathy & OSP Medications
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Acute phosphate nephropathy is a condition in which phosphate crystals develop in the kidneys and seriously impair their ability to function properly. While acute phosphate nephropathy may be caused by a variety of factors, most recently, this severe condition has been linked to use of oral sodium phosphate (OSP) medications.
OSPs are bowel cleansing medications prescribed to patients before they undergo certain medical procedures, such as a colonoscopy or surgery. Popular brand name oral sodium phosphate drugs include:
- Fleet Phospho Soda®, made by C.B. Fleet
- OsmoPrep, made by Salix Pharmaceuticals
- Visicol, made by Salix Pharmaceuticals
Patients who develop acute phosphate nephropathy after taking an OSP medication should seek emergency medical care, as untreated acute phosphate nephropathy can result in kidney failure and death. Injured patients should also consult an experienced defective drug attorney as soon as possible to find out if they are entitled to a settlement for their injuries and losses. If medical records can link the kidney damage to use of an OSP, the patient will likely be able to recover compensation for their damages.
Signs of Acute Phosphate Nephropathy
It's important that patients taking oral sodium phosphates understand the symptoms of and risk factors for acute phosphate nephropathy. Indications that a patient is developing this form of severe kidney damage include:
- abnormal heart rate
- bloating
- difficult urination
- fatigue
- high blood pressure
- lower back pain
- muscle spasms and cramping
- seizures
Who Is At Risk?
Patients with the highest risk of developing this severe OSP side effect include those who are over 55 and/or who have a history of:
- dialysis
- electrolyte imbalance
- kidney disease
Minimizing the Risk of Acute Phosphate Nephropathy
Oral sodium phosphate patients can lower the chances that they develop acute phosphate nephropathy by:
- taking OSP medications only as directed
- staying hydrated while on a course of OSP drugs (This typically entails drinking at least 8-ounces of clear fluids with each dose of OSP medication)
- familiarizing themselves with the signs and symptoms of OSP kidney damage
- attending all follow-up doctor's appointments to ensure that no serious side effects have developed
- NOT taking an OSP if they have already taken one within the past 7 days
Compensation for Acute Phosphate Nephropathy
Patients who are diagnosed with OSP-caused APN will be able to get compensation for their losses by filing a lawsuit against C.B. Fleet. It is important to hire an experienced attorney for defective drugs who will have access to a team of doctors, nurses and other experts that will help prove the link between the medication and the injury. Because the medical bills and treatment costs can add up quickly, experienced OSP attorneys work on contingency, meaning they will not collect payment until the settlement or court award is reached.
If You Have Been Injured by Fleet Phospho Soda®
Have you or a loved one been injured after taking Fleet Phospho Soda®? If so, contact us to speak with an experienced Fleet Phospho Soda® attorney who specializes in drug recall litigation & lawsuits. Let us help you win the compensation you need and deserve.
