- There have been dozens of reports of serious side effects and 13 deaths
- Those that cause problems appear to be those that draw water into the bowel; this softens the stool
and makes it easier to pass - The most serious harm occurred after
people overdosed on a single dose that was higher than
recommended or took more than one dose in a day - Laxatives can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, people on some prescription medications and those with inflammation of the colon
By
Emma Innes
13:11 EST, 13 January 2014
|
13:15 EST, 13 January 2014
Taking just one laxative too many could lead to potentially fatal side effects such as dehydration and kidney failure, the Food and Drug Administration has warned
Taking just one laxative too many could lead to potentially fatal side effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned.
The FDA says there have been dozens of reports of serious side effects, and 13 reported deaths, after people overdosed on sodium phosphate laxatives.
Laxatives come in different forms, with different ingredients.
The sodium phosphate used in some products is in a class of medications called saline laxatives.
This
class of laxatives helps promote a bowel movement by drawing water into
the bowel, which softens the stool and makes it easier to pass.
Laxative
products containing sodium phosphates are often sold as store brands and generic products.
All
of them are potentially associated with serious side effects, such as
dehydration and abnormal levels of electrolytes in the blood that can
lead to serious complications, such as kidney damage and sometimes
death.
According to Dr Mona Khurana, a medical officer in the FDA’s Division of Nonprescription Regulation Development, the most serious harm occurred after people overdosed by taking a single dose that was higher than recommended or took more than one dose in a day.
The FDA says side effects can include severe dehydration and kidney problems.
The symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth, thirst and light headedness.
The other dangerous potential side effect is kidney damage. Symptoms include drowsiness, producing less urine and swelling of the legs or feet.
In recent reviews of harmful side effects, the FDA has identified 54 cases of serious side effects associated with the use of sodium phosphate products for the treatment of constipation in adults and children.
Thirteen cases were fatal, including one child and 12 adults.
The label of sodium phosphate laxatives states they should be used as a single dose taken once a day, and the products should not be used for more than three days.
Consumers who do not have a bowel movement after taking a dose are also warned not take another one.
The FDA is now warning that adults older than 55 and adults and children with certain health conditions should ask a doctor before using these products because they may be at increased risk of harmful side effects.
The FDA says there have been dozens of reports of serious side effects, and 13 reported deaths, after people accidentally overdosed on sodium phosphate laxatives
They say the drugs can be dangerous for people who are taking drugs that affect how the kidneys work, blood pressure medications and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen.
They say people with inflammation of the colon are also at particular risk and that the drugs can be dangerous for children.
‘Caregivers should not give these products orally to children under age five years without first asking a health care professional. Both caregivers and health care professionals should avoid the rectal use of these drug products in children under age two years,’ Dr Khurana said.
‘The bottom line is that these products are safe for otherwise healthy adults and older children for whom dosing instructions are provided on the Drug Facts label as long as they follow these dosing instructions and don’t take the product more often, or in greater amounts, than the label instructs,’ Dr Khurana added.
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Belle,
Devon, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
I do believe that laxatives are way too easy to get hold of. I only say this due to how they’re used to purge, the use of laxatives is far more damaging to the body than being sick or over exercising. I
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