Uses of Sodium Phosphate solution

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Pharmacist Nguyen Thu Giang - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital

Constipation occurs quite commonly in children, not only reducing the quality of life but can affect the health of children and psychological anxiety for parents. There are quite a few measures to treat constipation such as dietary changes, physical therapy, drug use... One of the commonly used drugs to treat constipation is sodium phosphate solution.

1. What is Sodium Phosphate Solution?

Sodium Phosphate is a hypertonic product, stimulates secretion, cleans the intestines by pulling a large amount of water into the intestinal lumen, prescribed by doctors:
Relieves occasional constipation Clean the intestines for standard patients undergoing surgery, X-rays, or colonoscopy. The drug usually moves the stool mass within 30 minutes to 6 hours.
For the purpose of laxative use, before using the drug, it is necessary to consult a doctor if:
The child is on a strict salt diet, is being treated for another disease; Children with nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, unusual changes in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks; The child has used 1 laxative for more than 2 weeks; Children with comorbidities such as kidney disease , heart failure , intestinal obstruction , paralytic ileus .

Need to stop using and consult a doctor if you see
Child has rectal bleeding or bright red blood in the stool No movement of stool after 6 hours Signs of dehydration (seeing very thirsty, no frequent urination and sweating, dry and hot skin). Children do not have a bowel movement after using the drug Children are dizzy, vomiting, little or no urination Sodium Phosphate solution has 2 forms of use: oral solution and rectal solution, each preparation has its own characteristics, needs to be used. use caution.

2. Oral solution

Sodium Phosphate solution is an oral solution, used for children over 5 years old and adults.
With this preparation, the patient is encouraged to drink as much water as possible to prevent dehydration. While taking the drug, the absorption of drugs from the gastrointestinal tract may be slowed down, even completely stopped, so the concomitant use of this drug with other drugs is not recommended.
When taking this medicine, the most common side effects are abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, chills and dizziness, chest pain, headache and vomiting.

3. Rectal enema solution

Sodium Phosphate is a solution for rectal enemas, used for children over 2 years old and adults.
With this preparation, use rectal enemas only, do not take orally or other routes and if swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.
When using this enema, the most common side effect is rectal pain and discomfort.
For the best effect, after enemas, the child should lie down and hold the medicine until the child wants to go to the toilet, usually within 1-5 minutes, do not hold the medicine longer than 10 minutes.

Although this drug is not a prescription drug, however, parents still need to be cautious when using it for children, should consult with medical staff to ensure reasonable indications, safe use of drugs. complete and effective.
Constipation is a very common disease of children, if not treated completely, it will cause chronic constipation which is very dangerous. You should take your baby to a medical center for early examination and treatment.
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact the nationwide Vinmec Health System Hotline, or register online HERE.
References: EMC, Drugs.com