A Texas woman who suffered renal failure after using Fleet Phospho-Soda solution to prepare for a colonoscopy has filed suit in Lynchburg, Virginia against the maker of the product, asking for $10 million in personal injury damages.

Lora Joyce Goza, 65, was given Fleet Phospho-Soda, a bowel prep solution manufactured by C.B. Fleet Co., in May 2005 at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas, prior to a routine colonoscopy. The product is commonly given to patients to cleanse the bowels before the cancer-screening procedure.

Ms. Goza alleges that the solution combined with her blood pressure medication to cause a negative response which led to permanent kidney damage. She suffered kidney failure as a result. The product liability lawsuit against C.B. Fleet Co. alleges the company knew about the risks associated with using Fleet Phospho-Soda in conjunction with certain blood pressure medications and diuretics, but that C.B. Fleet Co. failed to warn either physicians or patients about those risks.

A 2005 article published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reported the potential dangers of Fleet Phospho-Soda and other bowel cleansing products that contain oral sodium phosphates. Fleet Phospho-Soda was linked to chronic renal failure in patients that may have been under-reported. The FDA issued a warning that same year.

Sources: Beverly N. Williams, “Woman sues Va. Company over medical product,” Hampton Roads, VA, Daily Press, May 19, 2007; Breit, Drescher & Imprevento, “Virginia Law firm Files $10 Million Action Against C.B. Fleet Company,” May 16, 2007.