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| Pronunciation |
|
 (SOW
dee um FOS
fates) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Fleet® Enema [OTC]; Fleet®
Phospho®-Soda
[OTC]; Visicol™ |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Enemol™
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Electrolyte Supplement, Oral; Laxative |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- 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.
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|
| 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.
|
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| 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.
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| How is it best taken? |
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|
- 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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|
- Store at room
temperature.
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| 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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