Fleet Phospho-Soda Lawsuit News

by admin on May 21st, 2010

The Fleet Phospho-soda recall for over-the-counter sales was in December 2008, after several people suffered from kidney failure. Fleet Phospho Soda lawsuit claims have subsequently been brought by patients who have suffered kidney damage. The recall came after the FDA warned that several patients had suffered from kidney problems called acute phosphate nephropathy (renal failure). In cases of acute phosphate nephropathy, calcium phosphate crystals build up and cause kidney problems, which can be permanent. Because of the risk of severe kidney problems, the FDA decided that the Fleet laxative products should not be available over the counter.

Fleet Phospho Soda is a bowel cleansing solution used to prepare for a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is a procedure used to inspect the large intestine of the body for polyps and abnormalities. The Fleet Phospho-Soda bowel cleansing solution is an oral sodium phosphate (OSP) that used to be available over the counter. When used properly, it flushed the colon of feces, making it easier for doctors to see inside. However, some people suffered from a severe injury to their kidneys after using this product, prompting the FDA warnings, and eventually leading to the Fleet Phospho Soda recall.

Kidneys act as a filter for the body. They screen out toxins in the blood and carry them out through the urine. In addition, kidneys also help to produce hormones that regulate the body’s blood pressure, and produce a hormone that helps make red blood cells and balances the body’s fluid levels. When kidneys are not functioning properly, the damage can be severe, including tiredness, shortness of breath, decreased urine output, leg swelling, confusion, seizures, and comas. Some kidney problems can be reversed, but at advanced stages, kidneys may be permanently damaged and may not return to their full functionality.

Some people have argued that Fleet Phospho Soda was marketed for use at very high dosage rates without adequate warnings about the risk of Fleet kidney damage for years prior to the recall. People with known kidney disorders were especially vulnerable to kidney failure, and could have avoided the life-threatening acute phosphate nephropathy if there had been proper warnings. It is possible that more people may have avoided kidney failure from using Fleet if the Fleet Phospho Soda recall was issued earlier.

It is unknown exactly how many people have suffered from Fleet kidney failure. If you have taken Fleet Phospho-Soda in preparation for a colonoscopy or surgery, and have developed kidney problems, contact an attorney immediately. You may have important legal rights. However, the law limits the time you have to bring a claim, so you should contact a Fleet Phospho Soda lawsuit attorney as soon as possible.