Sodium picosulfate explained

Verifiedfields:changed
Verifiedrevid:477002878
Width:260
Alt2:Ball-and-stick model of the component ions of sodium picosulfate
Width2:240
Dailymedid:Sodium picosulfate
Routes Of Administration:By mouth
Atc Prefix:A06
Atc Suffix:AB08
Atc Supplemental:
(combinations)
Legal Us:Rx-only
Legal Us Comment:as part of Clenpiq
Index Label:monohydrate
Cas Number:1307301-38-7
Pubchem:5282431
Drugbank:DBSALT001830
Chemspiderid:4445585
Unii:LR57574HN8
Kegg:DG00072
Chembl:1741134
Synonyms:Picosulfuric acid
Index2 Label:anhydrous
Cas Number2:10040-45-6
Pubchem2:68654
Drugbank2:DBSALT001831
Chemspiderid2:61910
Unii2:VW106606Y8
Chebi2:32147
Chembl2:1697768
Iupac Name:disodium (pyridin-2-ylmethylene)di-4,1-phenylene disulfate
C:18
H:15
N:1
Na:2
O:9
S:2
Smiles:O.[Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C1=CC=C(OS([O-])(=O)=O)C=C1)C1=CC=CC=N1
Stdinchi:1S/C18H15NO8S2.2Na.H2O/c20-28(21,22)26-15-8-4-13(5-9-15)18(17-3-1-2-12-19-17)14-6-10-16(11-7-14)27-29(23,24)25;;;/h1-12,18H,(H,20,21,22)(H,23,24,25);;;1H2/q;2*+1;/p-2
Stdinchikey:FHYUVJHZGPGDSP-UHFFFAOYSA-L
Smiles2:[Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C1=CC=C(OS([O-])(=O)=O)C=C1)C1=CC=CC=N1
Stdinchi2:1S/C18H15NO8S2.2Na/c20-28(21,22)26-15-8-4-13(5-9-15)18(17-3-1-2-12-19-17)14-6-10-16(11-7-14)27-29(23,24)25;;/h1-12,18H,(H,20,21,22)(H,23,24,25);;/q;2*+1/p-2
Stdinchikey2:GOZDTZWAMGHLDY-UHFFFAOYSA-L

Sodium picosulfate (INN, also known as sodium picosulphate) is a contact stimulant laxative used as a treatment for constipation or to prepare the large bowel before colonoscopy or surgery.

It is available as a generic medication.[1]

Medical uses

Sodium picosulfate used in combination with magnesium oxide and anhydrous citric acid is indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy.

Effects

Orally administered sodium picosulfate is generally used for thorough evacuation of the bowel, usually for patients who are preparing to undergo a colonoscopy. It takes 12–24 hours to work, since it works in the colon.[2]

Abdominal cramps and diarrhea are normal effects of picosulfate and should be expected.

The use of sodium picosulfate has also been associated with certain electrolyte disturbances, such as hyponatremia and hypokalemia.[3] Patients are often required to drink large amounts of clear fluids, to compensate for dehydration and to reestablish normal electrolyte balance.

Mechanism of action

Sodium picosulfate is a prodrug.[4] It has no significant direct physiological effect on the intestine; however, it is metabolised by gut bacteria into the active compound 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl-(2-pyridyl)methane (DPM, BHPM).[4] [5] This compound is a stimulant laxative and increases peristalsis in the gut.[4] [6]

Sodium picosulfate is typically prescribed in a combined formulation with magnesium citrate, an osmotic laxative. This combination is a highly effective laxative, often prescribed to patients for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopies.[4] [7]

Society and culture

Brand names

It is sold under the brand names Sodipic Picofast, Laxoberal, Laxoberon,[8] Purg-Odan, Picolax, Guttalax, Namilax, Pico-Salax,[9] PicoPrep,[10] and Prepopik, among others.

Clenpiq is a combination of sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022 First Generic Drug Approvals . U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . 3 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630003602/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-and-biologic-approval-and-ind-activity-reports/2022-first-generic-drug-approvals . 30 June 2023 . live . 30 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Food and Drug Administration. FDA News Release  - FDA approves new colon-cleansing drug for colonoscopy prep. 17 July 2012. 1 December 2016.
  3. February 2002 . Electrolyte disturbances with sodium picosulfate bowel cleansing products . ADRAC . Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee . Aust Adv Drug React Bull . 21 . 1. Free full text from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration
  4. Adamcewicz M, Bearelly D, Porat G, Friedenberg FK . Mechanism of action and toxicities of purgatives used for colonoscopy preparation . Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology . 7 . 1 . 89–101 . January 2011 . 21162694 . 3030244 . 10.1517/17425255.2011.542411 .
  5. Forth W, Nell G, Rummel W, Andres H . The hydragogue and laxative effect of the sulfuric acid ester and the free diphenol of 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl-(pyridyl-2)-methane . Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology . 274 . 1 . 46–53 . 1 March 1972 . 4262724 . 10.1007/BF00501005 . 13177533 .
  6. Jauch R, Hankwitz R, Beschke K, Pelzer H . Bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane: The common laxative principle of Bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate . Arzneimittel-Forschung . 25 . 11 . 1796–1800 . November 1975 . 1243088 .
  7. Regev A, Fraser G, Delpre G, Leiser A, Neeman A, Maoz E, Anikin V, Niv Y . 6 . Comparison of two bowel preparations for colonoscopy: sodium picosulphate with magnesium citrate versus sulphate-free polyethylene glycol lavage solution . The American Journal of Gastroenterology . 93 . 9 . 1478–82 . September 1998 . 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1998.00467.x . 9732929 . 7579449 .
  8. http://www.merck.pk/en/pharmaceutical_products/merck_serono/Copy_of_neurocare/laxoberon/laxoberon.html Website of Merck Pakistan
  9. http://www.pico-salax.ca/product-information.html PICO SALAX Product Information
  10. Tjandra JJ, Chan M, Tagkalidis PP . Oral sodium phosphate (Fleet) is a superior colonoscopy preparation to Picopre (sodium picosulfate-based preparation) . Diseases of the Colon and Rectum . 49 . 5 . 616–20 . May 2006 . 16525746 . 10.1007/s10350-005-0323-2 . 36729352 .
  11. Web site: Clenpiq- sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid liquid . DailyMed . 5 September 2023 . 30 December 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Sodium picosulfate".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.