Sodium picosulfate

Sodium picosulfate

Systematic (IUPAC) name
disodium (pyridin-2-ylmethylene)di-4,1-phenylene disulfate
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Routes of administration	Oral
Identifiers
CAS Number	10040-45-6 N
ATC code	A06AB08 (WHO) A06AB58 (combinations)
PubChem	CID: 68654
ChemSpider	61910 Y
UNII	LR57574HN8 N
Chemical data
Formula	C18H13NNa2O8S2
Molecular mass	481.409 g/mol
SMILES [Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)Oc1ccc(cc1)C(c2ccc(OS([O-])(=O)=O)cc2)c3ncccc3
InChI InChI=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 Y Key:GOZDTZWAMGHLDY-UHFFFAOYSA-L Y
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

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 sold under the trade names Sodipic Picofast, Laxoberal, Laxoberon, Purg-Odan, Picolax, Guttalax, Namilax, Pico-Salax and Prepopik among others. PicoPrep is based on Sodium picosulphate.

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.

The most common side effects of picosulfate are abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

The use of sodium picosulfate has also been associated with certain electrolyte disturbances, such as hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Patients are often required to drink large amounts of clear fluids as well as rehydrate to reestablish the electrolyte balance.

Mechanism of action

Sodium picosulfate is a prodrug. 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-pyridiyl)-methane (DPM, BPHM). This compound is a stimulant laxative and increases peristalsis in the gut.

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.