|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (SOW
dee um FOS
fates) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Fleet® Enema [OTC]; Fleet®
Phospho®-Soda
[OTC]; Visicol™ |
|
|
| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Enemol™
(Canada) |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Electrolyte Supplement, Oral; Laxative |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to sodium phosphate or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Enlarged colon, blockage
in the intestinal tract, a weakened heart (congestive heart failure), fluid in
the belly (ascites).
- Tablets should not be used if you are on a low salt diet.
- Tablets should not be used if you have any of the following
conditions: Unstable angina, severe constipation, slow movement through the
intestinal tract, kidney disease, poor emptying of the stomach, blockage in the
gastrointestinal tract, active colitis, under-active thyroid gland or
scleroderma causing a slow moving gastrointestinal tract.
- The enema should not be used in children younger than 2 years of age.
- The tablets are for adults
only.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- The oral and rectal medicines may be used as a laxative to clean out
the colon for rectal and bowel exams.
- They may be used to prevent and treat low phosphate levels in your
body or to treat constipation.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- As a laxative, it pulls water into the small intestine. This causes
the intestine to stretch and push its contents through.
- It is also a source of phosphate for your
body.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Do not take the tablets or liquid with magnesium- or
aluminum-containing antacids or sucralfate.
- For rectal and bowel exams:
- You should be eating a clear liquid diet for 12 hours before taking
the tablets.
- Take tablets on an empty stomach. Take each dose with at least a full
glass of water.
- Do not repeat this within 7 days.
- For constipation:
- Take on an empty stomach.
- A liquid (solution) is available for patients who cannot swallow
pills.
- Mix dose with one-half cup of cool water. Drink a full glass of water
afterwards.
- Do not take another dose for at least 24 hours.
- Use the enema
rectally.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- This medicine is usually given on an as needed basis. Directions for
missed doses are not usually necessary.
- If taking for rectal or bowel exam, take a missed dose as soon as
possible.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Over use of laxatives may cause a need for laxatives to have a bowel
movement.
- Laxatives should not be used for more than 1 week unless told to do so
by healthcare provider.
- Use the tablets cautiously if you have inflammatory bowel disease.
Talk with healthcare provider.
- Medications taken after using the tablets may not be absorbed into
your system.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart. There is extra salt in the
medicine. Added water is needed for the tablet and liquids forms. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Do not use tablet if on a low-salt diet or if you have kidney disease.
Talk with healthcare provider.
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. There are some that may need
to be used cautiously with the tablets.
- Use caution if you are taking tablets and have had a recent heart
attack (within 3 months) or heart surgery. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea and vomiting. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or
chewing gum may help.
- Bloating, belly pain, and cramps.
- Dizziness. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying
position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be
alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Headache.
- Diarrhea.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- If taking for constipation, watch for return of bowel movements.
- If taking tablets, you may see parts of the tablets in your
stool.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- If liquid medicine does not come out after rectal use.
- If bleeding occurs after rectal use.
- Severe constipation.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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