Visicol (sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, USP, sodium phsophate dibasic anhydrous, USP) total of 1.5g of sodium phosphate

Manufacturer: Inkine Pharmaceutical Company, Inc.  

Indication(s):  Cleansing of the bowel as a preparation for colonoscopy, in adults 18 years of age or older.

Dosage & Administration:  40 tablets total must be taken as:

1. Evening before procedure - 3 Visicol tablets with 8 ounces of clear liquids every 15 minutes for a total of 20 tablets (last dose is 2 tablets).
2. Day of procedure - 3 to 5 hours before procedure 3 tablets with 8 ounces of clear liquids every 15 minutes (last dose will be 2 tablets) for a total of 20 tablets.

Pharmacology:  Osmotic action of sodium causing large amounts of water to be drawn into the bowel, promoting bowel evacuation.

WebRx Editorial Notes:  Contraindicated in patients with congestive heart failure, ascites, unstable angina pectoris, gastric retention, ileus or acute obstruction or pseudo-obstruction, severe chronic constipation, bowel perforation, acute colitis, toxic megacolin, or hypomotility syndrome (such as hypothyroidism, scleroderma), or known hypersensitivity to sodium phosphate salts or any of Visicol's ingredients.

Adverse effects are related to its desired purgative effect.  Nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, dizziness, and headache.

Visicol is an alternative to using traditional bowel evacuation preparations and may be more convenient than drinking hypertonic electrolyte solutions although 40 tablets seems daunting.

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