Safely Cleaning Out The Gastrointestinal Tract (NAPSA)—Aspart of a preventive medical regimen, it is increasingly common for physicians to recommend diagnostic tests—such as a colonoscopy or endoscopy—for patients over 50, in hopes of preventing colorectal cancer, or at least catchingit in its early stages. To prepare for such a procedure, patients traditionally need to clean out their bowels. However, a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety review has found that a common over-the-counter preparation used for this purpose—knownas sodium phosphate oral solution—can cause health problems. According to the FDA,patients who take in more than 45 mlof oral sodium phosphate solution during a 24-hour period could experience serious electrolyte disturbances—regardless of their general health. In people with pre-existing medical conditions or compromised health, these electrolyte shifts can beclinically significant, resulting in dehydration, renal failure—even death. Fortunately, another option exists, one that has been proven safe for elderly, diabetic, hypertensive, cardiac and renal patients, as well as those with electrolyte imbalances. Known as NuLYTELY, the prescription product is even indicated for children as young as 6 monthsofage. me \ as A fruit-flavored solution offers a safe cleansing option for gastrointestinal patients. Developed by Braintree Laboratories, NuLYTELY (PEG-3350, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride for Oral Solution) has been shown to provide fast, effective results; a patient can be preppedin just four hours. The product contains no sodium phosphate or sodium sulfate, and comes in four great tasting flavors: orange, lemon- lime, cherry and mineral water. NuLYTELYis contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal obstruction, gastric retention, bowel perforation, toxic colitis, toxic megacolon or ileus. For more information, visit the Web site at www.braintreelabs.com.
