More Canadian patients are joining a class-action lawsuit filed last year against the makers of an over-the-counter oral laxative, which has been linked to kidney damage in some patients who used it as a bowel preparation prior to having a colonoscopy.
The laxative, Fleet Phospho-soda, is believed to be safe when taken as a single-dose laxative, according to its directions.
However, using two doses of the product, as recommended, to cleanse the bowel prior to a colonoscopy may put users at higher risk of acute phosphate nephropathy, or kidney damage.
According to its manufacturer, Fleet Phospho-soda will no longer be manufactured or distributed in Canada, for commercial reasons.
Patrice, who asked that her last name not be used, said she did not learn until eight years after using the product that her kidneys were failing.
It was only after she had her kidney function tested when she was diagnosed with a sinus infection that she learned her kidneys were functioning at 35 per cent. Three months later, Patrice, 52, learned that her kidneys were functioning at 27 per cent.