Sodium picosulfate

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.

Sodium picosulfate

Clinical data
Other names	Picosulfuric acid
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
License data	US DailyMed: Sodium picosulfate
Routes of administration	By mouth
ATC code	monohydrate: A06AB08 (WHO) A06AB58 (WHO) (combinations)
Legal status
Legal status	US: ℞-only as part of Clenpiq[1]
Identifiers
IUPAC name disodium (pyridin-2-ylmethylene)di-4,1-phenylene disulfate
CAS Number	monohydrate: 1307301-38-7 N anhydrous: 10040-45-6 Y
PubChem CID	monohydrate: 5282431 anhydrous: 68654
DrugBank	monohydrate: DBSALT001830 N anhydrous: DBSALT001831
ChemSpider	monohydrate: 4445585 N anhydrous: 61910
UNII	monohydrate: LR57574HN8 anhydrous: VW106606Y8 Y
KEGG	monohydrate: DG00072
ChEBI	anhydrous: CHEBI:32147
ChEMBL	monohydrate: ChEMBL1741134 anhydrous: ChEMBL1697768
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	monohydrate: DTXSID7048663
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.097
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C18H15NNa2O9S2
Molar mass	499.42 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	monohydrate: Interactive image anhydrous: Interactive image
SMILES monohydrate: O.[Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C1=CC=C(OS([O-])(=O)=O)C=C1)C1=CC=CC=N1 anhydrous: [Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C1=CC=C(OS([O-])(=O)=O)C=C1)C1=CC=CC=N1
InChI monohydrate: InChI=1S/C18H15NO8S2.2Na.H2O/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);;;1H2/q;2*+1;/p-2 Key:FHYUVJHZGPGDSP-UHFFFAOYSA-L N anhydrous: 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 N Key:GOZDTZWAMGHLDY-UHFFFAOYSA-L
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

It is available as a generic medication.^[2]

Medical uses

Sodium picosulfate used in combination with magnesium oxide and anhydrous citric acid is indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy.^[1]

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.^[3]

Abdominal cramps and diarrhea are normal effects of picosulfate and should be expected.

The use of sodium picosulfate has also been associated with certain electrolyte disturbances, such as hyponatremia and hypokalemia.^[4] Patients are often required to drink large amounts of clear fluids, to compensate for dehydration and to reestablish normal electrolyte balance.

Mechanism of action

Sodium picosulfate is a prodrug.^[5] 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-pyridyl)methane (DPM, BHPM).^[5][6] This compound is a stimulant laxative and increases peristalsis in the gut.^[5][7]

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.^[5][8]

Society and culture

Brand names

It is sold under the brand names Sodipic Picofast, Laxoberal, Laxoberon,^[9] Purg-Odan, Picolax, Guttalax, Namilax, Pico-Salax,^[10] PicoPrep,^[11] and Prepopik,^[3] among others.

Clenpiq is a combination of sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid.^[1]