The occasional case of constipation is treated with rectal sodium phosphate. Children under 2 years old shouldn’t receive rectal sodium phosphate. Rectal sodium phosphate belongs to the group of drugs known as saline laxatives. A soft bowel movement is produced by pulling water into the large intestine.

The sodium phosphate for the rectum is delivered as an enema. It is typically inserted when having a desired bowel movement. A bowel movement is typically brought on by the enema within 1 to 5 minutes. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions you do not understand, and carefully follow them. Follow the rectal sodium phosphate directions exactly. Use it only as directed on the box label, neither more nor less than that. Even if you haven’t had a bowel movement, you shouldn’t use more than one enema in a 24-hour period. Rectal sodium phosphate overdose can result in major kidney or cardiac problems as well as death.

For adults, there are ordinary and large enema sizes of rectal sodium phosphate, and for kids, there is a small enema size. A youngster should not receive the adult-size enema. A youngster between the ages of 2 and 5 should get half of the contents of the child-size enema. Unscrew the bottle’s cap and use a measuring spoon to scoop out 2 teaspoons of liquid to prepare this dose. then put the bottle cap back on.

The sodium phosphate enema is administered as follows:

1. The enema’s protective cover should be removed.
2. Alternatively, squat and bend forward until your left side of the face is resting on the floor and your left arm is comfortably folded while lying on your left side with your right knee raised to your chest.
3. The enema bottle should be gently inserted into your rectum with the tip facing your navel. Bear down as if you are having a bowel movement while you insert the enema.
4. Gently squeeze the bottle until it is almost empty. It is not necessary for the bottle to be entirely empty because there is additional liquid within. Your rectum should now be free of the enema bottle.
5. Keep the enema’s contents in place until you have a strong urge to urinate. You should not keep the enema solution in your system for longer than 10 minutes, which typically takes 1 to 5 minutes. After using the enema, wash your hands.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

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

Before using rectal sodium phosphate,

• If you have an allergy to sodium phosphate, any other drugs, or any of the substances in the enema, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. A list of the ingredients can be found on the label or by asking your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Include the following information: enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril (Capoten, in Capozide), amiodarone (Cordarone), and others are ACE inhibitors that can lower blood pressure, quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, Quinaretic), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, in Prinzide, Zestoretic), perindopril (Aceon), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); ARBs include losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), and irbesartan, olmesartan, found in Benicar, in Azor, Tribenzor, telmisartan, found in Micardis, in Micardis HCT, Twynsta, or valsartan, found in Diovan, in Diovan HCT, Exforge, Exforge HCT, and Valturna; disopyramide (Norpace), aspirin, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, and others); dofetilide (Tikosyn), lithium (Lithobid), moxifloxacin (Avelox), pimozide (Orap), quinidine (Quinidex, in Nuedexta), sotalol (Betapace), and thioridazine are examples of diuretics, also known as “water pills.” Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• While using this drug, avoid using any other enemas or laxatives, particularly those that contain sodium phosphate.
• If you experience stomach discomfort, nausea, or vomiting in addition to constipation, if your bowel habits suddenly changed for more than two weeks, or if you have used a laxative for at least a week, consult your doctor before taking rectal sodium phosphate or any other laxative. Additionally, let your doctor know if rectal bleeding occurs while you are receiving treatment with rectal sodium phosphate. These symptoms could indicate a more serious problem that requires medical care.
• If you are 55 years of age or older and consume a low-sodium diet, let your doctor know. Additionally, let your doctor know if you have a colostomy (surgical to make a hole for waste to exit the body) or if you were born with an imperforate anus (a birth defect in which the anus does not form properly and must be repaired with surgery, which may result in persistent bowel control issues). Inform your doctor if you currently have or have ever had heart failure, ascites (a buildup of fluid in the stomach area), a blockage or tear in your stomach or intestine, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; a collection of disorders in which the lining of the intestines is bloated, inflamed, or has ulcers), dehydration, low levels of calcium, salt, magnesium, or potassium in your blood, kidney illness, toxic megacolon, or paralytic ileus are all conditions where food is unable to pass through the intestines.
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know.

While using this medication, consume lots of clear liquids.

Side effects from rectal sodium phosphate are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Blisters, stinging, or soreness in the anals
• Chills

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away and stop taking rectal sodium phosphate if you have any of these signs:

• Increased thirst
• Dizziness
• Less frequent urination than normal
• Vomiting
• Dowsiness
• Legs, foot, and ankles swelling

Other negative effects from rectal sodium phosphate are possible. 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 at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 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 at room temperature and out of the bathroom and other places with excessive heat and moisture.

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 Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As 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

Call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 if someone consumes rectal sodium phosphate or if they take too much of this medication. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Heightened thirst
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Less urinations
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Fainting
• Spasm or cramp in a muscle

Anything you want to know about rectal sodium phosphate, ask your pharmacist.

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.