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ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM › MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS › OTHER MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS › Sodium
sodium sulfate
A12CA02
Forms & Strengths
- Oral solution: 17.5 g/15 mL
Adult Dosing
- Bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy: Split-dose regimen of 17.5 g sodium sulfate (combined with potassium sulfate and magnesium sulfate) diluted in water, taken the evening before and morning of the procedure.
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients <18 years of age have not been established.
Indications
- Cleansing of the bowel as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults.
Mechanism of Action
- Acts as an osmotic laxative; sulfate ions are poorly absorbed, causing water to be retained in the intestinal lumen, inducing diarrhea and clearing the bowel.
Contraindications
- Gastrointestinal obstruction or ileus
- Bowel perforation
- Toxic colitis or toxic megacolon
- Gastric retention
- Known hypersensitivity to sodium sulfate products
Adverse Reactions
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Electrolyte disturbances (hyponatremia, hypokalemia)
- Transient elevation of serum uric acid
Drug Interactions
- Drugs that increase the risk of water and electrolyte imbalance (e.g., diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDs)
- Oral medications taken within 1 hour of starting the solution may be flushed from the GI tract and not absorbed properly
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use