A brief grief over bowel relief

Oral sodium phosphate (OSP) solution is commonly used as bowel purgative before colonoscopy. Its safety has recently been questioned with several reports of acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease following its use. All of the cases reported are following bowel preparation for colonoscopy. I present a case of acute renal failure following OSP solution given to relieve constipation. This report further highlights the dangers of OSP and the importance of caution and careful monitoring when OSP solution is used as a cathartic, or for bowel preparation before colonoscopy.