Colon cleansing composition and method

Abstract

A composition and method for cleansing a colon prior to endoscopic procedure. More particularly, a combination of bisacodyl, metoclopramide, sodium, and/or a phosphorus containing composition administered in sequential doses for preparing a colon prior to colonoscopy.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A pharmaceutical kit for use in cleansing a colon prior to a medical examination procedure, said kit comprising, in combination: a pharmaceutically effective amount of metoclopramide; a pharmaceutically effective amount of bisacodyl; a pharmaceutically effective amount of a phosphorus containing composition; and a pharmaceutically effective amount of sodium. 
     
     
         18 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 17 , wherein said combination of said pharmaceutically effective amounts of said metoclopramide, said bisacodyl, said phosphorus containing composition, and said sodium, when ingested by a patient, is sufficient to trigger a physiological response, including peristalsis of the colon, whereby the colon is subsequently adequately cleansed for a colonoscopy procedure. 
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 17 , wherein said phosphorus containing composition is selected from the group consisting of phosphate, potassium phosphate, monobasic sodium phosphate, and dibasic sodium phosphate. 
     
     
         20 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 17 , wherein said metoclopramide has the formula C 14 H 22 ClN 3 O 2 . 
     
     
         21 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 17 , wherein said bisacodyl has the formula C 22 H 19 NO 4 . 
     
     
         22 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 17 , further comprising a packaging material including at least four separate compartments, wherein each of said four separate compartments includes a pharmaceutically effective dose of one or more of said metoclopramide, said bisacodyl, said phosphorus containing composition, and said sodium. 
     
     
         23 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 17 , wherein: each of said four separate compartments includes a different pharmaceutically effective dose selected from the group consisting of a first dose of bisacodyl; a second dose comprising a combination of bisacodyl, metoclopramide, a phosphorus containing composition, and sodium; a third dose comprising bisacodyl, a phosphorus containing composition, and sodium; and a fourth dose comprising metoclopramide. 
     
     
         24 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 23 , wherein: said first dose comprises 5-15 mg bisacodyl; said second dose comprises a combination of 5-15 mg bisacodyl, 5-15 mg metoclopramide, 0.5-2 g of said phosphorus containing composition, and 0.5-2 g sodium; said third dose comprises 5-15 mg bisacodyl, 0.5-2 g of said phosphorus containing composition, and 0.5-2 g sodium; and said fourth dose comprises 5-15 mg metoclopramide. 
     
     
         25 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 23 , further comprising instructions for administering each of said first dose, said second dose, said third dose, and said fourth dose. 
     
     
         26 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 25 , wherein said instructions include the steps of ingesting said first dose, said second dose, said third dose and said fourth dose sequentially. 
     
     
         27 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 25 , wherein said instructions include the step of ingesting said second dose approximately 8-36 hours after said first dose. 
     
     
         28 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 25 , wherein said instructions include the step of ingesting said third dose approximately 2-14 hours after said second dose. 
     
     
         29 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 25 , wherein said instructions include the step of ingesting said fourth dose approximately 6-14 hours after said third dose. 
     
     
         30 . A pharmaceutical kit according to  claim 25 , wherein said instructions include the step of ingesting said first dose approximately two days prior to a colonoscopy procedure.