Sodium Phosphate
Active ingredient · 4 therapeutic classes
Sold as Natrum phosphoricum · Sunmark Saline Single… · Natrum Phosphoricum 8010
- Drug class
- Osmotically Acting Laxatives
- Availability
- Over-the-counter
- Routes
- Rectal, Oral
- Markets covered
- 2
- Products on record
- 8
- FDA reports (12 mo)
- 1,656
Overview
Plain-language summary, compiled from the cited regulatory records
Sodium Phosphate is an ingredient classified as an osmotically acting laxative [1]. It is approved for the relief of occasional constipation [1]. This product typically produces a bowel movement within 1 to 5 minutes of use [1].
Sodium Phosphate is available under various brand names, including Sunmark Saline Single Laxative, Natrum phosphoricum, and Natrum Phosphoricum 8010 [1]. In the past 12 months, there have been 1,656 adverse event reports associated with this ingredient [2]. The most frequently reported events include off-label use, use in unapproved indications, pyrexia, reports of the drug being ineffective, and nausea [2].
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Regulatory status by market
| Market | Regulator | Products | Last revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| US United States | FDA | 5 | January 29, 2026 |
| GB United Kingdom | MHRA | 3 | February 27, 2026 |
USUnited States· FDA
5 products
Uses
Use relieves occasional constipation this product generally produces bowel movement in 1 to 5 minutes
How to take
Directions (or as directed by a doctor) Single daily dosage (per 24 hours) Do not use if taking another sodium phosphate product. Do not use more unless directed by a doctor. See Warnings . Adults and children 12 years of age and older 1 bottle once daily Children 2 to under 12 years of age Use Pediatric Enema Children under 2 years of age DO NOT USE
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Most-reported reactions to the US regulator (12 mo to June 4, 2026): 1,656 reports total. [3]
- Off Label Use 242
- Product Use In Unapproved Indication 119
- Pyrexia 113
- Drug Ineffective 107
- Nausea 107
- Vomiting 104
- Pneumonia 103
- Dyspnoea 94
- Anaemia 93
- Myelosuppression 87
- Fatigue 84
- Plasma Cell Myeloma 79
Side effects & warnings
Stop use and ask a doctor if you have rectal bleeding you have no bowel movement within 30 minutes of enema use you have symptoms of dehydration (thirstiness, dizziness, vomiting, urinating less often than normal) These symptoms may indicate a serious condition.
Warnings Dosage warning Using more than one enema in 24 hours can be harmful. For rectal use only. Do not use on children under 2 years of age Ask a doctor before use if you have already used a laxative for more than 3 days have kidney disease, have heart problems, or are dehydrated are 55 years of age or older are on a sodium-restricted diet have abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting have a sudden change in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking any other drug.
Take this product two or more hours before or after other drugs. Laxatives may affect how other drugs work. When using this product do not use more than directed. Serious side effects may occur from excess dosage do not use for more than 3 days, without asking a doctor Stop use and ask a doctor if you have rectal bleeding you have no bowel movement within 30 minutes of enema use you have symptoms of dehydration (thirstiness, dizziness, vomiting, urinating less often than normal) These symptoms may indicate a serious condition.
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) right away.
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Who should not take it
Do not use on children under 2 years of age
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
GBUnited Kingdom· MHRA
3 products
Uses
9% Sodium Chloride infusion is indicated as an anticoagulant in extra corporeal circulation and dialysis procedures, and as an aid in the maintenance of catheter patency.
How to take
Administration Administration is by intravenous infusion. Ensure that the correct formulation is being used, prior to administration of the drug Dosage Dosage, rate, and duration of administration are to be individualized and depend upon the indication for use, the patient’s age, weight, clinical condition and concomitant treatment, and on the patient’s clinical and laboratory response to the treatment.
Dosage of heparin should be titrated against patient response. Heparinisation for dialysis procedures It is suggested that a proper heparinisation schedule is used before, and maintained throughout the procedure to prevent clotting and subsequent blood path obstruction.
Maintenance of Catheter Patency The dosage should be adapted to catheter characteristics and the clinical condition of the patient. Elderly patients A higher incidence of bleeding has been reported in patients over 60 years of age, especially women.
Clinical studies indicate that lower doses of heparin may be indicated in these patients.
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Side effects & warnings
8 Adverse Reactions). Haematocrit testing and tests for occult blood in stools should be performed periodically during heparin administration. Heparin sodium should be used with extreme caution in disease states in which there is increased danger of haemorrhage, including: • Cardiovascular - subacute bacterial endocarditis.
Severe hypertension. • Surgical - during and immediately following (a) spinal tap or spinal anaesthesia or (b) major surgery, especially involving the brain, spinal cord, or eye. • Haematologic - conditions associated with increased bleeding tendencies, such as haemophilia, thrombocytopenia, and some vascular purpuras.
• Gastrointestinal - ulcerative lesions and continuous tube drainage of the stomach or small intestine. It should be appreciated that gastrointestinal or urinary tract bleeding during anticoagulant therapy may indicate the presence of an underlying occult lesion.
8 Adverse Reactions). • Antithrombin III deficiency may be acquired or inherited. Patients with hereditary antithrombin III deficiency receiving concurrent antithrombin III therapy. 5) • Hepatic: liver disease with impaired haemostasis.
Other – menstruation Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) (With or Without Thrombosis) Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious immune-mediated reaction resulting from irreversible aggregation of platelets. HIT may progress to the development of venous and arterial thromboses, a condition referred to as HIT with thrombosis.
Thrombotic events may also be the initial presentation for HIT. These serious thromboembolic events include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebral vein thrombosis, limb ischemia, stroke, myocardial infarction, mesenteric thrombosis, renal arterial thrombosis, skin necrosis, gangrene of the extremities that may lead to amputation, and fatal outcomes.
Once HIT (with or without thrombosis) is diagnosed or strongly suspected, all heparin sources (including heparin flushes) should be discontinued and an alternative anticoagulant used. Future use of heparin, especially within 3 to 6 months following the diagnosis of HIT (with or without thrombosis), and while patients test positive for HIT antibodies, should be avoided.
Immune-mediated HIT is diagnosed based on clinical findings supplemented by laboratory tests confirming the presence of antibodies to heparin, or platelet activation induced by heparin. Platelet counts should be obtained at baseline and periodically during heparin administration.
A drop in platelet count greater than 50% from baseline is considered indicative of HIT. Platelet counts begin to fall 5 to 10 days after exposure to heparin in heparin–naive individuals, and reach a threshold by days 7 to 14. e. previous 3 months).
Thrombosis development shortly after documenting thrombocytopenia is a characteristic finding in almost half of all patients with HIT. Thrombocytopenia of any degree should be monitored closely. If the platelet count falls below 100,000/mm3 or if recurrent thrombosis develops, the administration of heparin should be promptly discontinued and alternative anticoagulants considered if patients require continued anticoagulation.
Delayed Onset of Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) (With or Without Thrombosis) Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (with or without thrombosis) can occur up to several weeks after the discontinuation of heparin therapy. Patients presenting with thrombocytopenia or thrombosis after discontinuation of heparin should be evaluated for HIT (with or without thrombosis).
Thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia has been reported to occur in patients receiving heparin with a reported incidence of up to 30%. It can occur 2 to 20 days (average 5 to 9) following the onset of heparin therapy. Platelet counts should be obtained at baseline and periodically during heparin administration.
Mild thrombocytopenia (count greater than 100,000/mm3) may remain stable or reverse even if heparin is continued. However, thrombocytopenia of any degree should be monitored closely. If the count falls below 100,000/mm3 or if recurrent thrombosis develops (see Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) With or Without Thrombosis), heparin should be discontinued and, if necessary, an alternative anticoagulant administered.
Heparin Resistance Increased resistance to heparin is frequently encountered in patients with fever, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, infections with thrombosing tendencies, myocardial infarction, cancer and postsurgical. Monitor coagulation tests closely in such patients.
It may be necessary to adjust the dose of heparin based on anti-Factor Xa levels. Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity reactions with chills, fever and urticaria as the most usual manifestations and also asthma, rhinitis, lacrimation, and anaphylactoid reactions have been reported.
Vasospastic Reactions Vasospastic reactions may develop independent of the origin of heparin, 6 to 10 days after the initiation of the therapy and last for 4 to 6 hours. The affected limb is painful, ischemic and cyanosed. An artery to this limb may have been recently catheterized.
After repeat injections, the reaction may gradually increase to include generalized vasospasm, with cyanosis, tachypnoea, feeling of oppression and headache. Hyperkalaemia Heparin can suppress adrenal secretion of aldosterone leading to hyperkalaemia, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, pre-existing metabolic acidosis, a raised plasma potassium, or taking potassium sparing drugs.
The risk of hyperkalaemia appears to increase with duration of therapy but is usually reversible upon discontinuation of heparin. Plasma potassium should be measured in patients at risk of hyperkalaemia […]
Excessive administration of potassium-free solutions may result in significant hyperkalaemia. Do not use unless solution is clear and container undamaged. 9% w/v sodium chloride intravenous infusion should not be administered orally.
Warnings Haemorrhage Heparin should be used with extreme care in patients suffering from conditions in which there is an increased danger of haemorrhage. , gastrointestinal bleeding with hematemesis and melena, or haematuria. Fatal haemorrhages have occurred.
An unexplained fall in fall in , blood pressure, anaemia and fall in haematocrit, or any other unexplained symptom should lead to serious consideration of haemorrhagic event. 8 Adverse Reactions). Haematocrit testing and tests for occult blood in stools should be performed periodically during heparin administration.
Heparin sodium should be used with extreme caution in disease states in which there is increased danger of haemorrhage, including: • Cardiovascular - subacute bacterial endocarditis. Severe hypertension. • Surgical - during and immediately following (a) spinal tap or spinal anaesthesia or (b) major surgery, especially involving the brain, spinal cord, or eye.
• Haematologic - conditions associated with increased bleeding tendencies, such as haemophilia, thrombocytopenia, and some vascular purpuras. • Gastrointestinal - ulcerative lesions and continuous tube drainage of the stomach or small intestine.
It should be appreciated that gastrointestinal or urinary tract bleeding during anticoagulant therapy may indicate the presence of an underlying occult lesion. 8 Adverse Reactions). • Antithrombin III deficiency may be acquired or inherited.
Patients with hereditary antithrombin III deficiency receiving concurrent antithrombin III therapy. 5) • Hepatic: liver disease with impaired haemostasis. Other – menstruation Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) (With or Without Thrombosis) Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious immune-mediated reaction resulting from irreversible aggregation of platelets.
HIT may progress to the development of venous and arterial thromboses, a condition referred to as HIT with thrombosis. Thrombotic events may also be the initial presentation for HIT. These serious thromboembolic events include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebral vein thrombosis, limb ischemia, stroke, myocardial infarction, mesenteric thrombosis, renal arterial thrombosis, skin necrosis, gangrene of the extremities that may lead to amputation, and fatal outcomes.
Once HIT (with or without thrombosis) is diagnosed or strongly suspected, all heparin sources (including heparin flushes) should be discontinued and an alternative anticoagulant used. Future use of heparin, especially within 3 to 6 months following the diagnosis of HIT (with or without thrombosis), and while patients test positive for HIT antibodies, should be avoided.
Immune-mediated HIT is diagnosed based on clinical findings supplemented by laboratory tests confirming the presence of antibodies to heparin, or platelet activation induced by heparin. Platelet counts should be obtained at baseline and periodically during heparin administration.
A drop in platelet count greater than 50% from baseline is considered indicative of HIT. Platelet counts begin to fall 5 to 10 days after exposure to heparin in heparin–naive individuals, and reach a threshold by days 7 to 14. e. previous 3 months).
Thrombosis development shortly after documenting thrombocytopenia is a characteristic finding in almost half of all patients with HIT. Thrombocytopenia of any degree should be monitored closely. If the platelet count falls below 100,000/mm3 or if recurrent thrombosis develops, the administration of heparin should be promptly discontinued and alternative anticoagulants considered if patients require continued anticoagulation.
Delayed Onset of Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) (With or Without Thrombosis) Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (with or without thrombosis) can occur up to several weeks after the discontinuation of heparin therapy. Patients presenting with thrombocytopenia or thrombosis after discontinuation of heparin should be evaluated for HIT (with or without thrombosis).
Thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia has been reported to occur in patients receiving heparin with a reported incidence of up to 30%. It can occur 2 to 20 days (average 5 to 9) following the onset of heparin therapy. Platelet counts should be obtained at baseline and periodically during heparin administration.
Mild thrombocytopenia (count greater than 100,000/mm3) may remain stable or reverse even if heparin is continued. However, thrombocytopenia of any degree should be monitored closely. If the count falls below 100,000/mm3 or if recurrent thrombosis develops (see Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) With or Without Thrombosis), heparin should be discontinued and, if necessary, an alternative anticoagulant administered.
Heparin Resistance Increased resistance to heparin is frequently encountered in patients with fever, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, infections with thrombosing tendencies, myocardial infarction, cancer and postsurgical. Monitor coagulation tests closely in such patients.
It may be necessary to adjust the dose of heparin based on anti-Factor Xa levels. Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity reactions with chills, fever and urticaria as the most usual manifestations and also asthma, rhinitis, lacrimation, and anaphylactoid reactions have been reported.
Vasospastic Reactions Vasospastic reactions may develop independent of the origin of heparin, 6 to 10 days after the […]
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Who should not take it
8) or to any ingredient in the formulation
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Sources & citations
- [1]FDA DailyMed · 04c7440e-5b25-4b… · revised January 29, 2026 [PDF]
- [2]MHRA (UK) · PL001160129 · revised February 27, 2026
- [3]OpenFDA adverse-event reports (US), 12 months ending June 4, 2026.
Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.