Colon cleansing of residual stool and secretions during colonoscopy

Abstract

This invention relates, e.g., to a composition comprising two or more of: (a) N-acetylcysteine and/or (b) simethicone and/or (c) a docusate salt. In one embodiment of the invention, the amounts of (a) and/or (b) and/or (c) are effective, when the composition is administered into a colon of a subject undergoing colonoscopy, to cleanse a region of the colon in the visual field of the colonoscope so that the region contains no adherent stool or intestinal secretions obscuring the visual field. Methods for using this or other compositions of the invention, e.g. to cleanse the colon of a subject in order to enhance visualization of the colon during a colonoscopy, are also described, as are kits for carrying out methods of the invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising two or more of:
 a) N-acetylcysteine, or   b) simethicone, or   c) a docusate salt.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amounts of a) and/or b) and/or c) are effective when the composition is administered into a colon of a subject undergoing colonoscopy to cleanse a region of the colon in the visual field of the colonoscope so that the region contains no adherent stool or intestinal secretions obscuring the visual field. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is effective, when administered orally to a subject, to reduce the amount of adherent stool and/or intestinal secretions in the colon of the subject. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 4 , further comprising a solvent, wherein the concentrations of a), b), and c) are:
 a) N-acetylcysteine: from about 20 mg to 20 g/L,   b) simethicone: from about 3 mg to 3 g/L,   c) a docusate salt: from about 2 mg to 2 g/L.   
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the N-acetylcysteine is in an amount of about 2 g/L. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the simethicone is in an amount of about 600 mg/L. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , formulated as a liquid, wherein the N-acetylcysteine is packaged separately from the other components and is added to them no more than about 96 hours before the composition is to be used. 
     
     
         8 . A method for cleansing the colon of a subject, comprising introducing into the colon of the subject, through a channel in a colonoscope, a liquid form of a composition comprising one or more of
 a) N-acetylcysteine and/or   b) simethicone and/or   c) a docusate salt,   provided that N-acetylcysteine or docusate salt is not administered by itself,   wherein the amounts of a), b) and c), are effective, when administered through a colonoscope, in two or fewer flushes, to cleanse stool from the colon of the subject such that a region of the colon in the visual field of the colonoscope contains substantially no adherent stool or intestinal secretions.   
     
     
         9 . A method for enhancing the ability of a purgative to cleanse the colon of a subject, comprising orally administering to the subject, before, during, or after administering the purgative, a composition comprising one or more of:
 a) N-acetylcysteine and/or   b) simethicone and/or   c) a docusate salt,   provided that N-acetylcysteine or docusate salt is not administered by itself,   wherein the amounts of a), b) and c), are effective to enhance the amount of adherent stool and/or intestinal secretions in the colon of the subject.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the purgative is polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein introduction into the colon through the colonoscope comprises
 operating a pump which is operably linked via a conduit to a container that comprises the composition of  claim 1 , allowing inflow of the composition from the container to the pump, and is also operably linked via a channel to a colonoscope, allowing outflow of the composition from the pump to the channel in the colonoscope,   thereby administering the composition to the colon.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein introduction into the colon through the colonoscope comprises
 introducing, with a syringe, composition of  claim 1  into a channel in the colonoscope,   thereby administering the composition to the subject.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein administering the composition occurs before the day of the patient's colonoscopy. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein administering the composition occurs on the day of the patient's colonoscopy. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein administering the composition occurs simultaneously with the patient's colonoscopy. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating constipation in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method for decreasing abdominal discomfort in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A kit comprising:
 a) the composition  claim 1 ; and   b) a container that is suitable for administering the composition to a subject via a colonoscope.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the container is a plastic container.