Sutab

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on August 4, 2023

Sutab (Sootab) is a brand-name medication prescribed for cleaning out the colon (large intestine) to prepare for a colonoscopy in adults. Sutab belongs to a group of drugs called laxatives.

Common questions about Sutab

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Sutab.

Can you get Sutab over the counter?

No, Sutab isn’t available over the counter. Sutab is a prescription drug used to clean out the colon (large intestine) to prepare for a colonoscopy. Your doctor will prescribe it for you.

Some doctors recommend taking certain over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives for colonoscopy prep. However, you should not take other laxative medications while taking Sutab.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about Sutab or OTC laxatives.

Are there any alternatives, such as a liquid preparation, to Sutab?

Yes, there are alternatives to Sutab. Those include prescription, liquid preparations (preps), such as Suprep and Clenpiq.

Some bowel prep options may be better choices for people with certain health conditions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the pros and cons of different bowel prep options.

How does Sutab work? And how long does it take to start working?

Sutab is an osmotic laxative. This means it pulls water into your bowel to loosen your stools. The result is watery diarrhea that cleans out stool from your large intestine.

The time it takes for Sutab to start working can vary. For some people, it starts working quickly, within minutes. For others, it can take a few hours for diarrhea to start.

If you’d like to know more about how Sutab works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of Sutab

Sutab may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Sutab and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Sutab’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Sutab listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of Sutab are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Sutab’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Sutab listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Sutab’s mild side effects include:

• abdominal pain
• bloating
• nausea
• vomiting
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Sutab” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Sutab are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Sutab’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Sutab listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Sutab’s serious side effects include:

• dehydration
• electrolyte (salt and mineral) imbalances
• heart rhythm problems
• kidney damage
• seizures
• sores in the lining of the colon (large intestine)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Sutab” section.

Uses of Sutab

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Sutab for certain conditions. Approved uses for Sutab are described below.

Use for colonoscopy preparation

Doctors may prescribe Sutab oral tablet to clean out the colon (large intestine) to prepare for a colonoscopy. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With a colonoscopy, doctors need a clear view of the colon’s lining. This helps them spot changes in the lining, such as irritation, polyps (clumps or growths in the lining), or cancer. To get a clear view, you must clean out stool from the colon. Sutab is a way to do this.

Interactions and warnings for Sutab

Below, you’ll find information about Sutab’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Sutab

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take Sutab, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Sutab” section below.

Warnings for Sutab

Some people should not take Sutab, and others should take it cautiously.

Sutab could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Sutab is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Sutab, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Sutab can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Sutab or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Sutab. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Sutab, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Sutab

If you take Sutab by mouth, you should not take more Sutab than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much Sutab, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Sutab

Information about Sutab and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Sutab and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Sutab should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Sutab and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Sutab should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about Sutab or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?
• How does Sutab compare with other colonoscopy preparation options?
• Will Sutab interfere with any of my other medications?
• What are my options if I can’t afford Sutab?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Sutab (sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride) tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/213135s003lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.