Patrice thought nothing about taking an oral sodium phosphate medication as directed by her doctor.
But eight years later, she was seeking treatment for a sinus infection when she learned that her kidneys were functioning at only 35 percent capacity.
Patrice is one of many patients who have joined a class-action lawsuit against the makers of oral sodium phosphates, or OSPs. And like Patrice, many victims of kidney damage might be unaware they were ever injured by the drug in the first place.
OSPs are commonly used as a bowel cleanser for patients preparing to undergo a colonoscopy or other procedure. But in recent months, the drug has been linked to kidney issues, leading to intervention by the Food & Drug Administrtation and a class-action lawsuit in Canada.
So how can patients recognize the signs of kidney damage as a result of OSPs?
Below is a list of common side-effects associated with medications produced by Fleet, including Fleet Phospho-soda, Visicol and OsmoPrep.
- bloated abdomen
- painful abdomen
- feelings of nausea
- vomiting
Less frequently, users experienced
- disorientation or spins
- head pain
In rare occurances, patients have reported
- a severe, full-body allergic reaction known as "anaphylaxis
- an itchy sensation known as "pruritus"
- skin irritation, characterized by dark-red, often itchy bumps, known as "urticaria" or hives
- tightness of the throat
- constricting of the bronchioles muscles, known as "bronchopasm"
- difficulty or pain while breathing, known as "pharyngeal edema"
- difficulty swallowing, known as "dysphagia"
- lip swelling, known as "parethesia"
- swelling of the face
In some cases, paitents have experienced acute kidney failure, known as "nephropathy" within 24 hours. While OSPs have been shown generally to be safe in single doses, serious kidney consequences have been reported with two doses, evan as reccomended by a physician.
With a simple blood test, a doctor can determined whether a patient's kidneys are functioning normally. No one deserves to be sickened or injured by the actions of a medical professional, including the improper administration of medications.
They victims of such an incident are entitled to recover medical costs, any lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering.
If you've been sickened or injured by medication prescribed by a doctor, contact an Indiana defective medication attorney. Contact the law officers of Keller & Keller for a free consultation.
