What Are the Possible Fleet Phospho Side Effects?

Most Fleet Soda Side Effects Are Benign However Fleets Can Cause Kidney Damage

Due to a wide variety of severe Fleet Phospho side effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning in 2008 indicating the drug’s connection to a range of illnesses and symptoms, including phosphate nephropathy, a disease that can lead to kidney failure and death. Following the warning, the company recalled all types of the medicine available over-the-counter and affixed a “black box” warning to the prescription strength versions. Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research explained, “Though rare, these are serious adverse events associated with the use of oral sodium phosphates—both prescription and over-the-counter products. In some cases, these serious adverse events occurred in patients with no pre-existing health factors that would have put them at risk for developing kidney injury.”

For those who have used this product, the adverse effects varied. The more mild Fleet Phospho side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, bloating, stomach pain, and vomiting. A second, more severe tier of problems manifest as rectal bleeding, lack of bowel movement after use, seizures, sores and/or ulcers around the rectum, drowsiness, mood changes, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, uneven heart rate, limited or lacking urination, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, and occasionally phosphate nephropathy. Over 20 different kinds of kidney disorders and injuries have been reported in addition to this serious illness.

This disorder is one of the most severe potential problems and can only be diagnosed with a biopsy. However, there are common symptoms associated with the disease that should be noted. The symptoms that could indicate the disease include:

• Muscle spasms or twitching
• Bloating and water retention
• Limited or lacking urination
• Malaise
• High blood pressure
• Seizures

The disease occurs when a buildup of crystals in the renal tubules of the kidneys prompts failure. Dialysis is required to prevent further injuries, and sometimes transplants are necessary. Unfortunately, in most cases, because the disease moves so rapidly, damage is permanent. Adverse symptoms can occur within hours, days, or weeks of treatment. The majority of consumers using the oral sodium phosphate (OSP) products typically did so in preparation for colonoscopies, as bowel prep, or for a general laxative. Until the FDA’s warning, the medicine was generally considered safe and easy to use.

In February of 2009, three women came forward as part of a product liability lawsuit regarding OSP products. All three women purchased the over-the-counter drug and took high doses as preparation for upcoming colonoscopies. The lawsuit claims that the parent company did not alert consumers to the risks associated with use of the drug, nor did they test the product thoroughly before releasing it to the general public. Fleet Phospho Soda attorneys have been working with these women to resolve the defective drug case, and hopefully settle damages and compensation. The suit could provide precedent for many others who used the product, which had never been tested or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.