Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate

Generic name: citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate [ SIT-rik-AS-id, mag-NEE-zee-um-OX-ide, and-SOE-dee-um-PEE-koe-SUL-fate ]
Brand names: Clenpiq, Prepopik
Dosage form: oral liquid (12 g-3.5 g-10 mg/175 mL)
Drug class: Laxatives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 9, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate?

Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate is a combination medicine used in adults and children at least 9 years old to clean your bowel before a colonoscopy. Cleaning the bowel allows the inside of your colon to be seen more clearly on the colonoscopy.

Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• dizziness, fainting;

• confusion;

• irregular heartbeats;

• a seizure;

• little or no urination;

• severe nausea or vomiting, painful bloating, severe stomach cramps;

• stomach pain, rectal bleeding;

• trouble drinking liquids; or

• signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, constipation, muscle weakness, leg cramps, numbness or tingling, feeling jittery, fluttering in your chest.

Common side effects of citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate may include:

• stomach pain;

• dehydration or dizziness;

• high levels of magnesium in your blood;

• nausea, vomiting; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate can cause severe dehydration, which can lead to a serious electrolyte imbalance, seizures, kidney failure, or abnormal heartbeats that can cause death.

The risk of dehydration is highest in people with heart problems or kidney disease, or if you take certain other medicines. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting and cannot drink enough water for your bowel prep, if you have a headache, dizziness, or decreased urination.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use citric acid, magnesium oxide, or sodium picosulfate if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients, or if you have:

• a stomach or bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, colitis, or toxic megacolon;

• a perforation (a hole or tear) of your intestines;

• slow digestion; or

• severe kidney disease;

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium, magnesium, or sodium in your blood);

• a stomach or intestinal disorder, including ulcerative colitis;

• trouble swallowing or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);

• heart problems;

• a seizure;

• fainting;

• alcohol withdrawal syndrome;

• if you have recently used a sedative like Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax (diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam, and others); or

• kidney problems.

It is not known if citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

How should I take citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

These instructions explain when and what to eat or drink in the days before your colonoscopy, and when to stop eating solid foods.

Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate is usually taken in 2 doses. Each bottle is one dose. Take the first dose the evening before your colonoscopy and take the second dose the morning of your colonoscopy (about 5 hours before).

Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate is a clear liquid and you may be able to see some particles in it. This is normal and will not make the medicine less effective.

Drink plenty of clear liquids (water, broth, black coffee, tea, clear soda, sports drinks) before, during, and after you take citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate. Avoid foods and beverages that contain pulp or are red or purple in color. You may also eat popsicles (not fruit bars or fudge bars) or gelatin without fruit pieces or toppings.

Drink only clear liquids and avoid alcohol, dairy or non-dairy types of milk, or any drink that you cannot see through.

You will need to drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before your colonoscopy. Stop drinking all fluids at least 2 hours before the colonoscopy.

You may need blood tests to check your kidney function and other medical tests before and after your colonoscopy.

This medicine can cause severe dehydration, which can lead to a serious electrolyte imbalance, seizures, or kidney failure. Call your doctor if you are vomiting and cannot drink enough water for your bowel prep, if you have a headache, dizziness, or decreased urination.

Call your doctor if you have any bloating or an upset stomach after your first dose. Your second dose may be delayed until your symptoms improve.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not refrigerate or freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose or do not finish all doses before your colonoscopy.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate?

Do not take other laxatives while taking citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate.

Do not drink alcohol while taking citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate and until after your colonoscopy.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

What other drugs will affect citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate?

Citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take within 1 hour of using this medicine.

If you take any of the following medicines, take them at least 2 hours before or not less than 6 hours after you take citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate:

• chlorpromazine;

• digoxin;

• iron;

• penicillamine; or

• certain antibiotics, such as as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, and others.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a laxative;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• heart or blood pressure medication;

• medicine to treat a kidney problem;

• medicine to treat depression or mental illness;

• seizure medication; or

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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