Generic name: magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and sodium sulfate [ mag-NEE-zee-um-SUL-fate, poe-TASS-ee-um-KLOR-ide, and-SOE-dee-um-SUL-fate ]
Drug class: Laxatives

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 4, 2025.

What is Sutab?

Sutab contains a combination of magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and sodium sulfate. Magnesium, potassium, and sodium are electrolyte minerals that occur naturally in body fluids.

Sutab is a prescription medicine used by adults to cleanse the colon before a colonoscopy.

Sutab causes diarrhea which cleans out the colon. Cleaning the colon (bowel prep) allows the inside of your colon to be seen more clearly on the colonoscopy.

Warnings

Sutab can cause severe dehydration, which can lead to a serious electrolyte imbalance, seizures, or kidney failure.

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

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Sutab if you are allergic to magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, or sodium sulfate, or if you have:

• a bowel obstruction, colitis or toxic megacolon;

• a dilated intestine;

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

• slow digestion.

To make sure Sutab is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had

• heart problems, including long QT syndrome;

• a stomach or intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis;

• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);

• trouble swallowing;

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

• a seizure;

• kidney disease; or

• if you are in withdrawal from alcoholism or addiction to Valium-like sedatives (benzodiazepines).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take this medicine?

Use Sutab exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Carefully follow all instructions about what to eat or drink in the days before your bowel prep, and when to stop eating solid foods.

Sutab is usually taken in 2 doses. Each dose consists of 12 tablets taken at one time, with 16 ounces of water. Take the first dose the evening before your colonoscopy and take the second dose the morning of your colonoscopy.

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

You will need to drink extra water once you start your bowel prep. Drink only clear liquids and avoid alcohol, milk, or any drink that is red or purple.

You should be finished with all doses at least 2 hours before your colonoscopy.

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

Store at room temperature.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor if you cannot drink the entire amount of medicine and liquids as instructed in time for your colonoscopy.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose is unlikely to occur if you take this medicine exactly as directed.

What to avoid

Do not take other laxatives during your bowel prep.

Side Effects

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

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• trouble drinking liquids;

• nausea, painful bloating, stomach cramps, vomiting;

• little or no urination;

• a seizure;

• rectal bleeding; or

• signs of an electrolyte imbalance - increased thirst or urination, confusion, slurred speech, dizziness, weakness, feeling jittery or unsteady, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, numbness or tingling, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest.

Common Sutab side effects may include:

• stomach pain or discomfort;

• nausea, vomiting; or

• mild bloating.

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

What other drugs will affect Sutab?

Sutab can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth (orally). Do not take any oral medicine within 1 hour before you start taking Sutab.

If you take any of the following medicines, take your Sutab dose 6 hours before or 2 hours after you take the other medicine:

• chlorpromazine;

• digoxin;

• iron; or

• certain antibiotics - ciprofloxacin, delafloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, penicillamine, tetracycline.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• heart or blood pressure medication;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• medicine to treat a kidney problem;

• medicine for 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 interact with Sutab, 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 Sutab 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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