On December 11, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a "black box warning" to consumers and health care professionals that a rare but serious form of kidney failure, acute phosphate nephropathy, had been associated with the use of prescription oral sodium phosphate (OSP) products Visicol and Osmo Prep, both made by Salix Pharmaceuticals. The products are routinely prescribed for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy, radiographic procedures and surgery. Acute phosphate nephropathy is a rare but serious adverse event that is often permanent and may require chronic dialysis. The FDA expressed equal concern about the risks associated with over-the-counter (OTC) bowel clearing products such as Fleet Phospho-soda and Fleet Accu-Prep solutions. ... Read More