Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate

Generic name: sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate (oral) [ SOE-dee-um-bye-FOS-fate-and-SOE-dee-um-FOS-fate ]
Brand name: OsmoPrep
Dosage forms: oral solution (18%-48%); oral tablet (1.5 g)
Drug class:Laxatives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 6, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is oral sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate?

Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate is a combination medicine used in adults to treat constipation and to clean the bowel before a colonoscopy.

Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate 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.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use oral sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate if you are allergic to it, 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, this medicine 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, phosphorous, or magnesium in your blood);

• a seizure;

• stomach surgery;