Is fleet enema safe?

My wife is away, i have more time to give myself fleet enema. i usually take 2 in a row. i've read the warning label saying: dosage warning: using more than one enema in 24 hours can be harmful. the volume is 4.5 oz, so 2 fleet enema = 9 oz. my concern is it really take more than one fleet enema harmful? have anyone tried more than one in 24 hours?

The problem with the Fleet enema isn't the volume, it is the total dose of sodium phosphate/sodium biphosphate. It is equivalent to an entire 3oz bottle of the now discontinued Fleet Phosphosoda®. That much PhosphoSoda in less than 24 hours was associated with Kidney damage in some individuals (and lead to the warnings and recall).

Generally these people were elderly, not adequately hydrated, and had other serious health issues to begin with. In retrospect PhosphoSoda preparation for Colonoscopy for these individuals was a sub-optimal decision. PEG prep is far safer and carries significantly less risk in that population.

The problem is that if you absorb enough phosphate (hard to do with a enema), and are not adequately hydrated, the phosphate concentration in the urine can cause the solubility product of calcium phosphate to be exceeded, and calcium phosphate precipitates inside the Kidney causing serious damage.

So as long as you don't retain the 2 fleet enemas for a long time (30+minutes, pretty hard to do), and are otherwise healthy, I wouldn't recommend it, but you aren't likely to do any serious damage either.

When I sold pharmaceuticals, I often saw an office nurse hand a paper bag to a patient. It contained 2 Fleets and instructions on preparing oneself for a flexible sigmoidoscopy. Then , the nurse would give verbal instructions as well.

She would tell the patient to inject the Fleets back-to-back, without expelling the first one. This would clean out the rectum, sigmoid and last few inches of the descending colon. I saw this countless times. If that proceedure was safe as a flex. sig. prep., it certainly would be safe for most patients, the exception being those with renal impairment and fluid restrictions.

I believe the warnings on the Fleet box are the "Cover your ass legally", warnings. Fleet is worried that a patient with a bowel obstruction will keep putting additional Fleets in themselves when nothing comes back out. In a court of law, the Fleet lawyers can say, we warned the patient not to use more than one Fleet Enema in 24 hours and that's what they did anyway, so it's not our liability.

I've taken 2 Fleets, back-to-back and other than having a strong B.M., the only thing I noticed was loose bowels for about 24 hours.

Thanks so much for the info! what's B.M. stands for?

Yes, if you only have maybe one fleet enema a week.

Enema123, if it's Fleet enemas that you wish to do, and you would like to do more than just one, you might try the Fleet Naturals. I believe it's a mild aloe formula with no harsh chemicals that Fleet says is safe to use daily.

They come in two packs... I took just one the first time I tried them, and they sure don't make you "go" like the original Fleets. It was pretty easy to sit on the toilet and hold it. I've taken them both, one after the other too, which I like better than just taking one. I would imagine that taking 3 or 4 wouldn't be that hard, or particularly dangerous. I would NEVER do that with the "traditional" Fleets though.

Safe, yes! Effective? That's open to a bit more interpretation!

Fleet makes a product called the Fleet Enema Extra, which is basically 1 3/4 fleets in the same bottle (7.8 oz). So taking two isn't that far of a stretch.

To Jonboy: The Fleet Extra IS the same amount of active ingredient as in a regular Fleet. Just more water. Wash out and save one used Fleet bottle, and fill it with plain water. Take a regular Fleet, and that immediately right after it. Then you will have essentially the same thing without overpaying for water.

I do not like drugs and chemicals in an enema (Fleet Enema composition: Natrii phosphas dodecahydras, Mononatrii phosphas dihydras, Natrii methylparaben and Aqua purificata) I just prefer purificata Aqua (purified water).

I rarely use a Fleet enema. In my opinion, Fleet contains too many harmful chemicals and way too much salt. The Fleet also is too quick, and part of the enjoyment comes from the process of the bag or bulb and the nozzle. It just isn't there with the Fleet.

Like most other medications, it varies from person to person. I have had most patients that have never had any problems with using more than one in a 24 hour prriod, as well as myself with no negative affects However; I have had two patients in the past that did experience lightheadedness with the fleet but they were also petite in stature. If they prove to be too strong you can always dilute them with water.

If you want something to ruin your day and cause you a couple hours of misery, have at it.

Not sure "safe" is the relevant word for me, the problem for me is that a fleets, although the idea of having one really appeals to me in conjuction with wearing a diaper, and being effectively forced (willingly) to fill the diaper, the fleets enema itself leaves me feeling pretty awful for the rest of the day, now ive realised it was the fleets causing this yuck feeling, ive stopped using them. i continue to fill diapers , but using other methods, but im left wondering what the fleets were doing to my body to cause such awful feelings

I'm not sure how safe this is. It seems like it would be safe but doesn't sound like fun to me. I can relate to looking forward to having time to yourself for fun but why not get some more enjoyable enema equipment ?

The hazards of a Fleet Enema are pretty much restricted to three populations. Those with serious Kidney disease (general stage IV or higher, or ESRD aka end stage renal disease), and those already in very poor health for other reasons. The main issue is that high phosphate content in the enema and its very hypertonic solution, those severely dehydrated and the extremely infirm, the hypertonicity of the solution will draw water from the surrounding tissue that the severely dehydrated simply cannot afford to lose or cannot be easily replaced. The true disasters have generally involved ingestion of the phosphates (from PhosphoSoda®) in those without adequate hydration and limited kidney function. If you don't have enough fluids or cannot get rid of phosphates efficiently, the calcium phosphate solubility product can be exceeded in the kidney itself, causing calcium phosphate to precipitate out inside the Kidney, generally with catastrophic consequences. In those with serious kidney disease, the problem is getting rid of the phosphates that were absorbed. Their kidneys just don't work well enough to do this effectively. I you aren't part of one of those 3 populations, the results may be unpleasant, but they are very unlikely to cause serious harm. The more fleet enemas you use in a short period of time, the more phosphate is absorbed and the greater the potential risk.

The other thing I have seen mentioned is that if you are careless and damage/puncture the mucosa the phosphate solution can cause necrosis of tissue.

It DOES meet the FDA safe and effective standard for a non-prescription drug

And based on the number used it is pretty safe, just not an absolute guarantee that you can't have problems. But then again you can have problems with tap water enemas and Tylenol too.

The only products sold in the US that can be proven dangerous when used properly are all made from tobacco

We use Fleets to kickstart a cleansing enema session. We allow the Fleet to work, then take our usual cleansing enema session. The follow-on enemas rinse the remaining chemicals out of our colons. I do NOT consider a Fleet alone for anything except a way to get a BM when no other method is practical. Fleets DO produce a fast, fairly thorough BM, but at the price of comfort.

It IS pretty safe!

What IS a problem is effectiveness.

Best solution on that:

Drink some water at least half an hour before you start.

Drink some more water right before you get into position

Completely ignore the "usually 2-5 minutes" in the directions. THAT is outright bullshit!

Treat it like ANY other enema! Retain until spontaneous expulsion occurs.

Retain it until you can't!

Issues that have come up in the literature I have read:

Dehydration - don't use if you are dehydrated. Drinking water before hand is always good. Someone on here said that a Fleet will try to pull water from your body until there is ~1L of fluid in the colon.

Retention bad: Don't hold it for hours and hours. Phosphates can damage your kidneys if absorbed into the bloodstream (they don't absorb very well), and the sodium isn't great either. In general you shouldn't use Fleets if you have renal issues or are in poor general health.

Don't use if you have damaged mucosa. Hypertonic phosphates can cause tissue necrosis if your rectum is damaged.

Beyond that they are safe and effective. And lots of them are used.

Fleets are a waste of money and aren't good for a relaxing, total clean out enema. Buy a bag and save your money.

Amen! Chemicals are never good!