Before a colonoscopy, which is an examination of the colon’s interior to check for colon cancer and other abnormalities in adults and children 12 years of age and older, the colon is emptied to allow the doctor a clear view of the colon’s walls. This procedure involves using magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate. Osmotic laxatives, which include magnesium, potassium, and sodium sulfates, are a group of drugs. In order to get the stool out of the colon, it works by generating watery diarrhea.

Magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate are available as tablets (Sutab®) and solutions (liquid; Suprep®). Typically, the first dose is given the evening before the colonoscopy, and the second dose is taken the following morning. When exactly to take your medication will be specified by your doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when taking sodium, potassium, and magnesium sulfates. Never take more or less of it than your doctor has advised.

You must start abstaining from solid meals and milk the day before your colonoscopy in order to get ready for the procedure. At this period, you should only consume clear drinks. Water, light-colored fruit juice without pulp, clear broth, coffee or tea without milk, flavored gelatin, popsicles, and soft drinks are a few examples of clear liquids. Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages and any red or purple liquids. If you have any concerns about what liquids you may consume prior to your colonoscopy, ask your doctor. If you have difficulties drinking clear drinks, let your doctor know.

You must mix the drug solution (Suprep®) with water just before ingesting it if you’re taking the solution. There is a higher likelihood that you will suffer unpleasant or harmful side effects if you consume the solution without mixing it with water. To prepare each dose of your medication, fill the dosing container that was provided with the medication with water until it reaches the line (16 ounces, 480 mL or 12 ounces, 300 mL) that is marked on the cup. This is done by pouring the contents of one bottle of magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate solution into the container. Immediately consume the entire combination. The night before your colonoscopy, you will take your first dose. After taking this dose, you must consume two containers either 16 ounces, 480 milliliters, or 12 ounces, 300 milliliters of water within the hour before going to bed. The morning before your colonoscopy is scheduled, you will take your second dose. In the hour following the second dose, you must consume two containers (16 ounces, 480 mL, or 12 ounces, 300 mL) of water, but you must finish all the liquids at least two hours before your colonoscopy.

Each dose consists of 12 tablets if you’re using Sutab® tablets. The night before your colonoscopy is scheduled, you will take your first dose (12 tablets), and the morning of your colonoscopy is when you will take your second dose (12 tablets). You must add water to the given container for each dose until it reaches the line (16 ounces, 480 mL) printed on the cup. Each tablet should be taken with a sip of water, and the cup’s contents should be consumed in 15 to 20 minutes. You should drink one 16-ounce container of water over the course of 30 minutes following the administration of a dose (12 tablets) and another 16-ounce container of water over the course of 30 minutes following the consumption of the second container of water. You must consume all the beverages at least two hours prior to your colonoscopy after taking the second dose (12 pills).

During your therapy with magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate, you will have a lot of bowel movements. From the moment you take your first dose of the medication until the day of your colonoscopy appointment, make sure to stay close to a bathroom. Inquire with your doctor about any comfort measures you can use at this time.

When you start taking this drug, your doctor or pharmacist will give you the patient information leaflet (Medication Guide) from the manufacturer. If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. The Medication Guide is also available on the manufacturer’s website or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm).

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate,

• If you have any allergies, including to drugs, foods, or any of the substances in magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate oral solution or tablets, notify your doctor and pharmacist right away. For a list of the ingredients, consult the Medication Guide or speak with your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal items, and prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are now taking or intend to take. Any of the following should be mentioned: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), alprazolam (Xanax); amitriptyline; ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Epanid, Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Qbrelis, Zestril, in Zestoretic), moexipril, perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia); angiotensin II receptor blockers such candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor and Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT and Twynsta), aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), desipramine (Norpramin), diazepam (Diastat, Valium), disopyramide (Norpace), and diuretics (‘water pills’); estazolam, flurazepam, lorazepam (Ativan), drugs for seizures, midazolam (Versed), moxifloxacin (Avelox), pimozide (Orap), quinidine (Quinidex, in Nuedexta), sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine), thioridazine, or triazolam are only a few examples. Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects. Magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate may also interact with a wide range of other drugs, so it’s important to let your doctor know about all the drugs you’re taking even those that aren’t on this list.
• During your therapy with magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate, avoid using any other laxatives.
• Magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate should be taken at least an hour before any oral medications that you take. If you take digoxin, chlorpromazine, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), delafloxacin (Baxdela), doxycycline (Acticlate, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin, and other brands), gemifloxacin, or demeclocycline, tell your doctor right away, supplements containing iron, levofloxacin, tetracycline, moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin, penicillamine (Cupramine, Depen), or minocycline (Minocin, Minolira, Solodyn, among others), take them at least two hours prior to your activity or six hours following the administration of magnesium, potassium, or sodium sulfate solution or tablets.
• If you have or have ever had a blockage in your stomach or intestine, an opening in the wall of your stomach or intestine, toxic megacolon (a life-threatening expansion of the intestine), or any condition that makes it difficult for your stomach or intestine to empty, let your doctor know. Magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate may not be prescribed by your doctor.
• If you have been consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or taking drugs for seizures or anxiety but are suddenly cutting back, let your doctor know. Tell your doctor if you’ve recently experienced a heart attack, have heart failure, have ever experienced an irregular heartbeat, have an enlarged heart, have a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart condition that can result in an irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), have gout, seizures, or have low blood levels of sodium, magnesium, potassium, or calcium, Inflammatory bowel disease (diseases like Crohn’s disease, in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract and results in pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever), ulcerative colitis, which results in swelling and sores in the lining of the colon (large intestine), and gastric reflux (a condition in which acid from the stomach flows backward), difficulty swallowing, and other conditions like these.
• Inform your physician if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant.

Before to, during, and following your treatment with magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate, your doctor will advise you on what foods and beverages you can have. Be sure to adhere to these recommendations.

If you forget to take this medication as prescribed or are unable to do so, contact your doctor right once.

Side effects are possible with sodium, potassium, and magnesium sulfates. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Stomach cramps or agony
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Headache

Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you have any of these symptoms:

• Seizures
• Fainting
• Feeling perplexed
• Vomiting, particularly if you find it difficult to consume the fluids you need for your treatment
• Having trouble swallowing
• Abdominal bleeding
• Dead person urinating
• Dizziness
• Unsteady heartbeat
• Acute, excruciating discomfort in one or more joints

Further negative effects could be brought on by sodium, potassium, and magnesium sulfates. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilizing a medicine take-back program is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programs in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back program, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how your body reacts to magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate, your doctor may request certain lab tests.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.