Fleet Phospho-Soda
The C.B. Fleet Company is a worldwide producer of over the counter (OTC) health and beauty products. One of its products, Fleet Phospho-Soda has come under fire with the FDA because of its content.
Fleet Phospho-Soda is an OTC product that is used primarily to cleanse the bowel in preparation for a colonoscopy or colon surgery. The product is made up of oral sodium phosphate which is considered safe by the FDA in low doses to be used as a laxative. But the levels in the Fleet Phospho-soda are double the amount that is considered safe and the FDA has issued recall alerts and asked the company to provide safety warnings.
The proper dosage of the product is supposed to draw fluids from the body and direct it to the colon to help with complete elimination. However in higher doses it has been known to cause kidney damage and even kidney failure.
In 2003 a team of doctors found that there was a definite link between the Fleet Phospho-Soda and damage to the kidneys. FDA warnings began in 2005 and again in 2006. Cases began popping up relating the product to kidney problems. Over 21 cases have been documented with patients suffering from acute phosphate nephropathy, or kidney failure, after using the Fleet bowel cleanser.
Even after the doctor's report, the Fleet Company disregarded the findings and continued marketing their product. In 2007, despite the building evidence of the damaging effects of their product and an ever growing list of law suits against them, the C.B. Fleet Company marketed their Fleet Phospho-Soda even more rigorously to doctors and clinics across the country.
Finally, in December of 2008, the company began a voluntary recall of Fleet Phospho-Soda. The effects of this product had serious ramifications for people who never even had a pre-existing kidney condition. And problems after using the Fleet Phospho-soda were evident in a relatively short period of time after ingesting it. Some occurred within hours, others within a month's time.
The unsafe levels of sodium phosphate cause calcium crystals to form in the kidney causing permanent kidney damage. Symptoms include a decreased amount of urine, swollen ankles, feet and legs, and a general feeling of lethargy. If you have used the Fleet Phospho-Soda and have experienced any of these symptoms, you must have a blood test done to determine if you have permanent kidney damage.
If you, someone in your family or anyone you know used the over the counter bowel cleanser, Fleet Phospho-Soda in preparation for a colonoscopy or any other procedure and suffered any of the side effects mentioned here, please contact us here at Napoli Bern Ripka Law Firm. You may be eligible for compensation through any number of class action suits against the makers of this drug.
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