Certain colonoscopy prep can pose risk

NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Colonoscopies undoubtedly save lives but researchers say there could be potential danger to kidneys in some procedural preparations.

A new study has shown that in rare instances certain popular bowel-cleansing preparations that patients gulp down the day before a colonoscopy can severely damage the kidneys, The New York Times says.

The products are identified as oral preparations made with sodium phosphate, including Visicol tablets, sold by prescription, and over-the-counter solutions like Fleet-Phosphosoda and store-brand versions with the same active ingredients.

A team of doctors from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons reported 21 cases of acute kidney failure from such products, including three that led to permanent dialysis and one to a kidney transplant.

The study appeared in the November issue of The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

The findings include healthy older people among those who could be at risk.