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Picosulfate sodium
Picosulfate sodium is a Stimulant laxative Small molecule drug developed by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. It is currently FDA-approved for Constipation, Bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy or other diagnostic procedures. Also known as: Pico-Salax.
Picosulfate sodium is a stimulant laxative that acts on the colon to promote bowel movements by increasing intestinal motility and fluid secretion.
Picosulfate sodium is a small molecule stimulant laxative used for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy. It is indicated for conditions such as colonoscopy, colorectal cancer, and bowel cleansing process.
At a glance
| Generic name | Picosulfate sodium |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Pico-Salax |
| Sponsor | St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton |
| Drug class | Stimulant laxative |
| Target | Myenteric plexus / colonic smooth muscle |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Gastroenterology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Picosulfate sodium is a prodrug that is converted by colonic bacteria into its active metabolite, bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-methane (BHPM). This active metabolite stimulates the myenteric plexus of the colon, increasing peristalsis and promoting water and electrolyte secretion into the intestinal lumen, thereby facilitating bowel evacuation.
Approved indications
- Constipation
- Bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy or other diagnostic procedures
Common side effects
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Abdominal discomfort
Key clinical trials
- A Study to Investigate Bowel Cleansing With PLENVU® Compared to Sodium Picosulfate in Participants Aged 1 to < 18 Years of Age in Preparation for Colonoscopy (PHASE3)
- Study Assessing CLENPIQ as Bowel Preparation for Pediatric Colonoscopy (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Comparing the Bowel Cleansing Efcacy of Picosulfate Sodium/ Citric Acid / Magnesium Oxide and Polyethylene Glycol: A Randomized Trial in Taiwan (NA)
- The Effect of Video-Based Education on Colonoscopy Preparation (NA)
- PEG-Asc Vs. SPMC for Bowel Preparation in Capsule-based Procedures (NA)
- Efficacy, Tolerance and Safety of Split Dose Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy: 4L Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Versus 1L Polyethylene Glycol Plus Sodium Picosulfate-magnesium Citrate (SPMC) (PHASE4)
- Validation of a Prediction Model for Inadequate Bowel Preparation
- A Trial to Compare Efficacy and Tolerability of Plenvu® and Picoprep® as Cleansing Agents Before Colonoscopy (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Picosulfate sodium CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Picosulfate sodium updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Picosulfate sodium
What is Picosulfate sodium?
How does Picosulfate sodium work?
What is Picosulfate sodium used for?
Who makes Picosulfate sodium?
Is Picosulfate sodium also known as anything else?
What drug class is Picosulfate sodium in?
What development phase is Picosulfate sodium in?
What are the side effects of Picosulfate sodium?
What does Picosulfate sodium target?
Related
- Drug class: All Stimulant laxative drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting Myenteric plexus / colonic smooth muscle
- Manufacturer: St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Gastroenterology
- Indication: Drugs for Constipation
- Indication: Drugs for Bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy or other diagnostic procedures
- Also known as: Pico-Salax
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing