Fleet Phospho-soda Recall
Following reports of kidney failure, the manufacturer C.B. Fleet announced a Fleet Phospho-soda recall in December 2008.Consumers throughout the United States who used over the over the counter bowel cleansing products including Fleet Phospho Soda (Fleet enemas) and Fleet Accu-Prep in preparation for a colonoscopy and other procedures have suffered from a serious side effect called acute phosphate nephropathy which is a kidney injury. This damage to the kidneys can be permanent and lead to kidney failure and dialysis. In some situations the kidney damage has led to patient death.
If you or a family member suffers from kidney failure after using Fleet enema products please contact us regarding your legal options including filing a Fleet lawsuit.
What You Need To Know about Kidney Dialysis
Have you been told by your doctor to consider dialysis? For people whose kidneys are unable to function effectively, dialysis is an artificial way to mimic the job that the kidney does.
The human body has two bean-shaped kidneys, which are vital organs in the body. Blood enters the kidney where it is cleaned of toxins and recirculated back through the body. The kidney typically cleans the body’s blood 5 -6 times each day. In addition, the kidney also helps regulate blood pressure, retain and remove excess salt and water, and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
Sometimes, however, the kidney cannot function the way it should. It could be because of a defect, disease or injury. The kidney may be malformed at birth and unable to do its job. Disease like diabetes can cause kidney failure. Or, It may be the result of an accident that damages the kidney. It may even be caused by an unrelated action, as in the use of oral phosphate solutions, such as Fleet Phospho-Soda, for bowel cleansing before a colonoscopy.
In any case, the failure can occur when the kidney is not able to filter the toxins. When blood that has not been cleaned recirculates in the body, it causes lethargy, drowsiness, swelling in the feet and legs, itchiness, vomiting, nausea, confusion and in extreme cases, coma and even death.
While there is no cure for kidney failure, there is treatment that can slow down the progression of the disease.
Since the kidney is unable to filter toxins from the blood, dialysis is used to do it mechanically.
Two types of dialysis treatment are typically offered: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis is the most common type of treatment. Used widely since the 1960s, with hemodialysis, the patient has two needles inserted into his veins. Blood is removed, a little at a time, from the body into a dialysis machine that filters it of wastes, toxins and excess fluids and then returns it to the body. In order to be effective, the treatment must be done on a strict schedule, typically three days a week for three to five hours a session. Although this is usually done in a clinic, some patients perform hemodialysis at home.
Peritoneal dialysis is an at home procedure that first requires the insertion of a permanent catheter into the abdomen. A dialysis solution is sent through the catheter to fill the abdomen. Wastes pass through the abdomen wall into the solution. After a four to six hour period, the solution is drained from the abdomen. This process may be repeated four times a day. Your doctor will help you determine which type of dialysis that is best based on your medical needs, lifestyle and support system.
Free no-obligation consultation for filing a Fleet Phospho-Soda Lawsuit. There is never any charge to speak to one of our attorneys. If you or a family member has suffered kidney damage after using Fleet enemas products please contact us today.