Fleets Phospho Soda Recall

by admin on April 22nd, 2010

Fleet kidney damage occurred in some patients who used Fleet Phospho-soda and Fleet Phospho-soda EZ-Prep Bowel Cleansing System. These were over-the-counter bowel cleansing/enema drugs that patients would use before a colonoscopy. For the latest updates regarding the Fleets Phospho Soda recall please contact us for a free consultation.

What happens when kidneys are damaged?

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. Sadly, this severe Fleet kidney damage occurred in many patients.

What happened when the FDA noticed the Fleet kidney damage?

In 2008, the FDA announced warnings about Fleet kidney damage after several people suffered from kidney damage called acute phosphate nephropathy (renal failure). In cases of acute phosphate nephropathy, calcium phosphate crystals deposit in the renal tubules causing kidney failure, which can be permanent. Because of the risk of kidney failure, the FDA decided that the Fleet laxative products should not be used as an over-the-counter drug. Following these FDA warnings, in 2008, CB Fleet Company, Inc. recalled their over-the-counter drugs after several people suffered from Fleet kidney damage.

Did the Fleet recall come soon enough?

The recall of the products causing Fleet kidney damage did not come soon enough. In fact, some have argued that Fleet advertised their laxative products 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 damage, and could have avoided the life-threatening acute phosphate nephropathy if there had been proper warnings. It is unknown exactly how many people have suffered Fleet kidney damage from taking one of the Fleet products.

What are my rights?

If you have suffered OsmoPrep kidney damage or kidney injury from a Fleet product, you have legal rights. You can hold CB Fleet Company responsible for its defective products. The law limits the time you have to bring a claim, however, so you should contact an experienced phospho soda lawsuit attorney as soon as possible.