Picosulfuric acid is a stimulant laxative used for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults. Sodium picosulfate is a used to treat constipation or induce colon cleansing to prepare the large bowels before colonoscopy or surgery.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 3 references
Picosulfuric acid, as sodium picosulfate, is a contact laxative. Sodium picosulfate inhibits the absorption of water and electrolytes, and increases their secretion into the intestinal lumen. It is hydrolyzed by colonic bacterial enzyme, sulfatase, to form an active metabolite bis-(p-hydroxy-phenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane (BHPM), which acts directly on the colonic mucosa to stimulate colonic peristalsis.
- Primary indication
- Sodium picosulfate, in combination with magnesium oxide and anhydrous citric acid, is indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults and pediatric patients ages 9 years and older.Curator reviewed · 13 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C18H15NO8S2 · 437.44 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2011 · United States, 2012
- Also known as
- Picosulfate · Picosulphate
- Brand names
Resolves to
UJIDKYTZIQTXPM-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESOS(=O)(=O)OC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C1=CC=C(OS(O)(=O)=O)C=C1)C1=CC=CC=N1What you can answer from here — as of October 01, 2026
Which other approved drugs treat the same conditions as Picosulfuric acid, and which companies have late-stage candidates in those indications?
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