This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Revised: 10/2023
Use SUTAB with caution in patients with impaired renal function or patients taking concomitant medications that may affect renal function (such as diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1)] . These patients may be at risk for renal injury. Advise these patients of the importance of adequate hydration with SUTAB and consider performing baseline and postcolonoscopy laboratory tests (electrolytes, creatinine, and BUN) in these patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6)] .
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide and Instructions for Use).
Instruct patients:
Manufactured by:
Braintree Laboratories, Inc. 270 Centre Street Holbrook, MA 02343
Please see www.sebelapharma.com for patent information. © Braintree Laboratories, Inc.
SUTAB (sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride) tablets is an orally administered osmotic laxative and is provided as two bottles, each containing 12 tablets. Each tablet contains: 1.479 g sodium sulfate, 0.225 g magnesium sulfate, and 0.188 g potassium chloride. Inactive ingredients include: polyethylene glycol 8000, sodium caprylate, and ethylene glycol and vinyl alcohol graft copolymer.
Sodium Sulfate, USP
The molecular formula is Na 2SO 4. The average molecular weight is 142.04. The structural formula is:
Magnesium Sulfate, USP
The molecular formula is MgSO 4. The average molecular weight is 120.37. The structural formula is:
Potassium Chloride, USP
The molecular formula is KCl. The average molecular weight is 74.55. The structural formula is:



Advise all patients to hydrate adequately before, during, and after the use of SUTAB. If a patient develops significant vomiting or signs of dehydration after taking SUTAB, consider performing postcolonoscopy lab tests (electrolytes, creatinine, and BUN). Fluid and electrolyte disturbances can lead to serious adverse events including cardiac arrhythmias, seizures and renal impairment. Correct fluid and electrolyte abnormalities before treatment with SUTAB. Use SUTAB with caution in patients with conditions, or who are using medications, that increase the risk for fluid and electrolyte disturbances or may increase the risk of adverse events of seizure, arrhythmias, and renal impairment [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1)] .
Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The safety of SUTAB was evaluated in two randomized, parallel group, multicenter, investigator blinded clinical trials in 941 adult patients undergoing colonoscopy. The active comparators were polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate for oral solution in Study 1 and sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid for oral solution in Study 2 [see Clinical Studies ( 14)] .
Adverse Gastrointestinal Reactions Reported by Symptom Questionnaire In Studies 1 and 2, patients were queried for selected gastrointestinal adverse reactions of stomach cramping (upper abdominal pain), stomach bloating (abdominal distention), nausea and vomiting using a standard questionnaire following completion of study drug and prior to colonoscopy on the day of colonoscopy. Patients reporting selected gastrointestinal symptom(s) rated the intensity as mild, moderate or severe.
A total of 52% (287/552) of patients in Study 1 and 52% (202/389) in Study 2 reported at least one selected gastrointestinal adverse reaction when queried using the standard questionnaire. Tables 1 and 2 show results for each gastrointestinal adverse reaction reported by patients using the standard questionnaire, including severity.
Additional Adverse Reactions Reported in Studies 1 and 2 In addition to the gastrointestinal symptoms reported on the standard questionnaire (Tables 1 and 2), other adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients in either treatment arm in Studies 1 and 2 were: dizziness in Study 1 (0% SUTAB and 2% comparator); and hypermagnesemia (2% SUTAB and 2% comparator) and increased liver function test (including ALT, AST and bilirubin) (3% SUTAB and 1% comparator) in Study 2.
Laboratory Changes Electrolyte Abnormalities Shifts in serum electrolytes from normal at baseline to above the upper end of normal following study drug on the day of colonoscopy in at least 2% of patients in either treatment arm and at least 2% greater in patients treated with SUTAB than treated with comparator in either Study 1 or Study 2 were: magnesium (27% SUTAB and 5% comparator in Study 1), and serum osmolality (44% SUTAB and 28% comparator in Study 2). These changes were transient and resolved without intervention.
Renal Function Parameters Decreases in creatinine clearance and increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were reported in less than 1% of patients in both SUTAB and comparator arms in both trials.
The recommended Split-Dose (2-day) dosage regimen for adults consists of two doses of SUTAB: the first dose during the evening prior to colonoscopy and the second dose the next day, during the morning of the colonoscopy.
Instruct patients:
On the Day Prior to Colonoscopy:
Day 1, Dose 1 - On the Evening Prior to Colonoscopy:
If patients experience preparation-related symptoms (e.g. nausea, bloating, cramping), pause or slow the rate of drinking the additional water until symptoms diminish.
Day 2, Dose 2 – The Morning of the Colonoscopy(5 to 8 hours prior to the colonoscopy and no sooner than 4 hours from starting Dose 1):
Overdosage of more than the recommended dose of SUTAB may lead to severe electrolyte disturbances, as well as dehydration and hypovolemia, with signs and symptoms of these disturbances [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1, 5.2, 5.3)] . Monitor for fluid and electrolyte disturbances and treat symptomatically.
Osmotic laxative products may produce colonic mucosal aphthous ulcerations, and there have been reports of more serious cases of ischemic colitis requiring hospitalization. Concurrent use of stimulant laxatives and SUTAB may increase these risks [see Drug Interactions ( 7.3)] . Consider the potential for mucosal ulcerations resulting from the bowel preparation when interpreting colonoscopy findings in patients with known or suspect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Risk Summary
There are no available data on the presence of SUTAB in human or animal milk, the effects of on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production.
The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for SUTAB and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from SUTAB or from the underlying maternal condition.
Use SUTAB with caution in patients with renal impairment or patients taking concomitant medications that may affect renal function. These patients may be at risk for renal injury. Advise these patients of the importance of adequate hydration before, during and after use of SUTAB and consider performing baseline and post-colonoscopy laboratory tests (electrolytes, creatinine, and BUN) in these patients [see Warning and Precautions ( 5.4)] .
Tablets: 1.479 g sodium sulfate, 0.225 g magnesium sulfate, and 0.188 g potassium chloride. The tablets are white to off-white, film coated, oblong, and biconvex with flat sides, debossed with S24on one side.
There have been reports of generalized tonic-clonic seizures and/or loss of consciousness associated with use of bowel preparation products in patients with no prior history of seizures. The seizure cases were associated with electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia) and low serum osmolality. The neurologic abnormalities resolved with correction of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.
Use caution when prescribing SUTAB for patients with a history of seizures and in patients at increased risk of seizure, such as patients taking medications that lower the seizure threshold (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants), patients withdrawing from alcohol or benzodiazepines, or patients with known or suspected hyponatremia [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1)] .
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
SUTAB is contraindicated in the following conditions:
If gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation is suspected, perform appropriate diagnostic studies to rule out these conditions before administering SUTAB [see Contraindications ( 4)] .
Use in caution in patients with severe active ulcerative colitis.
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of SUTAB. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Gastrointestinal: gastric ulceration, gastritis
Hypersensitivity: anaphylaxis, angioedema, dyspnea, rash, pruritus, urticaria [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7)]
Animal toxicology studies with sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride (SUTAB) have not been conducted. Sulfate salts of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, were administered orally (gavage) to rats and dogs up to 28 days up to a maximum daily dose of 5 grams/kg/day (approximately 0.9 and 3 times for rats and dogs, respectively, the recommended SUTAB human dose of 45.4 grams/day or 0.86 grams/kg based on the body surface area). In rats, the sulfate salts caused diarrhea and electrolyte and metabolic changes, including hypochloremia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, lower serum osmolality, and high serum bicarbonate. Significant renal changes included increased fractional sodium excretion, increased urinary sodium and potassium excretion, and alkaline urine in both male and females. In addition, creatinine clearance was significantly decreased in females at the highest dose. No microscopic renal changes were seen. In dogs, the sulfate salts caused emesis, excessive salivation, excessive drinking of water, and abnormal excreta (soft and/or mucoid feces and/or diarrhea) and increased urine pH and sodium excretion.
Each tablet of SUTAB contains 1.479 g sodium sulfate, 0.225 g magnesium sulfate, and 0.188 g potassium chloride. The tablets are white to off-white, film coated, oblong, and biconvex with flat sides, debossed with S24 on one side.
Each carton of SUTAB (NDC 52268-201-01) contains:
Note to Pharmacist: Inform the patient to removeand discardthe desiccant from both bottles of SUTAB the evening prior to the colonoscopy [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)]
Storage Store at 20º to 25°C (68º to 77°F). Excursions permitted between 15º to 30°C (59º to 86°F). See USP controlled room temperature.
There have been rare reports of serious arrhythmias associated with the use of ionic osmotic laxative products for bowel preparation. Use caution when prescribing SUTAB for patients at increased risk of arrhythmias (e.g., patients with a history of prolonged QT, uncontrolled arrhythmias, recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, or cardiomyopathy). Consider predose and post-colonoscopy ECGs in patients at increased risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias.
Of the 471 patients who received SUTAB in pivotal clinical trials, 150 (32%) were 65 years of age or older, and 25 (5%) were 75 years of age or older. No differences in safety or effectiveness of SUTAB were observed between geriatric patients and younger patients. Elderly patients are more likely to have decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function and may be more susceptible to adverse reactions resulting from fluid and electrolyte abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)] .
SUTAB can reduce the absorption of other co-administered drugs [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1)] :
Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, dyspnea, rash, pruritis and urticaria have been reported with SUTAB [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2)] . Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and instruct them to seek immediate medical care should signs and symptoms occur.
The colon cleansing efficacy of SUTAB was evaluated in two randomized, single-blind, active-controlled, multicenter trials (Study 1 and Study 2). These trials included adult subjects undergoing colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening and surveillance, or diagnostic colonoscopy, including subjects with abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and non-severe inflammatory bowel disease.
In Study 1 (BLI4700-301; NCT 03404401), 548 adult patients were included in the efficacy analysis. Patients ranged in age from 19 to 84 years (median age 59 years) and 56% were female. Racial distribution was 78% Caucasian, 16% African-American, and 11% Hispanic or Latino. Patients were randomized to one of the following two colon preparation regimens: SUTAB or polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate for oral solution. Both preparations were administered according to a split-dose regimen [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)] . Patients receiving SUTAB were limited to a low residue breakfast followed by clear liquids on the day prior to the day of colonoscopy; patients receiving the comparator bowel prep were allowed to have a normal breakfast and a light lunch, followed by clear liquids and/or yogurt for dinner. Approximately 97% of patients in the study completed both doses of preparation (98% of SUTAB patients and 95% of comparator patients).
In Study 2 (BLI4700-302; NCT 03261960), 388 adult patients were included in the efficacy analysis. Patients ranged in age from 23 to 83 years (median age 58 years) and 58% were female. Racial distribution was 94% Caucasian, 9% Hispanic or Latino, and 5% African-American. Patients were randomized to one of the following two colon preparation regimens: SUTAB or sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid for oral solution. Both preparations were administered according to a split-dose regimen [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)] . Patients receiving SUTAB were limited to a low residue breakfast followed by clear liquids on the day prior to the day of colonoscopy; patients receiving the comparator bowel prep were only allowed clear liquids on the day prior to colonoscopy. Approximately 98% of patients in the study completed both doses of preparation (98% of SUTAB patients and 99% of comparator patients).
The primary efficacy endpoint in each trial was the proportion of patients with successful colon cleansing, as assessed by the blinded colonoscopist utilizing the four-point scaled described below. Success was defined as an overall cleansing assessment of 3 (Good) or 4 (Excellent).
Results for the primary endpoint in Studies 1 and 2 are shown in Table 3. In both trials, SUTAB was non-inferior to the comparator.
Risk Summary
There are no available data on SUTAB use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. No reproduction or developmental studies in animals have been conducted with sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride (SUTAB).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
The following serious or otherwise important adverse reactions for bowel preparations are described elsewhere in the labeling:
Use caution when prescribing SUTAB to patients taking medications that increase the risk of fluid and electrolyte disturbances or may increase the risk of adverse events of seizure, arrhythmias, and prolonged QT in the setting of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4)] .
Concurrent use of stimulant laxatives and SUTAB may increase the risk of mucosal ulceration or ischemic colitis. Avoid use of stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate) while taking SUTAB [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5)] .
Absorption After the oral administration of SUTAB to patients in clinical studies, the median serum sulfate concentration increased by about 2.5-fold at 5 to 8 hours post Dose 2 (0.61 mmol/L) compared to baseline (0.25 mmol/L) and returned to baseline by 24 to 48 hours after colonoscopy.
Elimination Fecal excretion is the primary route of sulfate elimination.
Use in Specific Populations Patients with Renal Impairment The disposition of sulfate after ingestion of a sulfate-based product containing sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate similar to SUTAB was studied in patients (N=6) with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 30 to 49 mL/min). In patients with moderate renal impairment, mean AUC was 54% higher and mean Cmax was 44% higher than healthy subjects. The mean sulfate concentrations in healthy subjects and in patients with moderate renal impairment returned to their respective baselines by Day 6 after dose initiation. Urinary excretion of sulfate over 30 hours after the first dose was approximately 16% lower in patients with moderate renal impairment than in healthy subjects. These differences are not considered clinically meaningful.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment The disposition of sulfate after ingestion of a sulfate-based product containing sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate similar to SUTAB was also studied in patients (N=6) with mild-moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh grades A and B). Systemic exposure of serum sulfate (AUC and Cmax) was similar between healthy subjects and patients with hepatic impairment. The mean sulfate concentrations in healthy subjects and in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment returned to their respective baselines by Day 6 after dose initiation. Urinary excretion of sulfate over 30 hours after the first dose was similar between patients with hepatic impairment and healthy subjects.
SUTAB is indicated for the cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults.
The primary mode of action is osmotic action of sodium sulfate and magnesium sulfate, which induce a laxative effect. The physiological consequence is increased water retention in the lumen of the colon, resulting in loose stools.