Barium sulfate and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Gum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2020

For Computed Tomography "I've had plenty of CTs with IV contrast before, but not oral contrast, so I decided to look up what to expect. Mistake. The internet hyped this up as being sludgy cement that tastes awful, and that I should expect to immediately fight the urge to vomit or soil myself. I had the Vanilla Silq flavor/brand, cold, and it was almost indistinguishable from a vanilla Ensure, save for the knowledge it was mildly radioactive but unlikely to grant superpowers. Everyone reacts differently, but most people who had their expectations met at Chili's don't post reviews about it, so you won't find a lot of 'everything went fine and normal and I'm going about my day' posts about barium sulfate. You'll see the nasty and unfortunate stuff though. Anyway, worst milkshake I've ever had, but had no real fallout from it - no nausea or diarrhea, but time will tell about constipation - and would recommend drinking this as infrequently as your doctor will let you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

For Computed Tomography "This poison gave me non-stop diarrhea for 12 damn days. I couldn't leave my house. They need to put a big WARNING on this junk. It caused severe bowel inflammation and non-stop trips to the bathroom, many hardly in time. It's awful. 12 days living in a nightmare. No warning given to me. No warning on the container it came in. WHY NOT?"

• Gig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2019

For Computed Tomography "I had the oral and IV contrast and was told I could go to work after the CT scan. I asked about side effects but was told about the major ones, not the vomiting and diarrhea. I went to work and got very sick. It was so embarrassing. I had to rush home and almost kicked my house door down getting to the bathroom. The nausea, diarrhea, weakness, tingling in my body was so scary. I was in the bathroom every 5 minutes. That was on Tuesday, now here it is Thursday, and I am still nauseous and can taste the medication in my mouth. My stomach still bubbles up when I eat anything. This is a weight loss plan I didn't sign up for. This experience made me feel worse than what I originally went in for. Never again will I do something like that without doing my research first."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2012

Barium sulfate for Computed Tomography "I drank Readi-Cat (barium sulfate) for an abdominal CT scan. I gave it a nine only because of the taste. It was thick and had the consistency of vegetable oil with a citrus flavor. I experienced some very mild heartburn and nausea while drinking it, but that went away very quickly. The following morning, I had one bout of diarrhea, which was listed as a side effect. Other than that, I didn't experience any of the listed possible side effects. Overall, a much better experience than I was anticipating!"

• Suz...
• December 20, 2021

For Computed Tomography "I anticipated being ill after drinking the barium sulfate for my cat scan. My mistake was reading people's reviews. I was nervous for days that I would be either vomiting or have diarrhea. BUT I HAD HARDLY ANY PROBLEM. Here is what I did. I refrigerated the drinks, ate lightly and blandly throughout the day. I did not eat for 2 hours before taking the drink at night. I had the vanilla drink (any other flavor would have been overwhelming). At 10 pm, while standing, I drank slowly. It took about 15 mins. I then sat straight up for an hour. I went to bed, thinking that at some point perhaps I would feel sick. Turns out, I slept perfectly for 7 hours. Then, one hour before my morning exam, I drank the 2nd bottle, again standing up, slowly drinking for 15 mins. Finally, a little cramping and a minor bout of diarrhea. I left for the cat scan, worried that I was going to have more diarrhea, but I did not. If you had no problem, please comment too so others won't worry!"

• Did...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2018

For Computed Tomography "I made it through the first bottle pretty good. The taste wasn't bad at all (had the berry flavor), but the consistency is just gross. About 10 minutes later, I had a huge hit of diarrhea. After half of the second bottle, I must have looked white like a ghost as everybody asked me if I was okay, and I felt super sick to my stomach. It was hard to keep it down. After the scan, I threw up about 8 times and had diarrhea ALL day long. Couldn't drive myself home, my husband had to pick me up. I felt so weak. Also having a lot of gas and a huge headache. I am sure it's needed, but I hope I never have to do this again."

• Ama...
• August 10, 2016

For Computed Tomography "The taste of the mochaccino smoothie was very tolerable. Tasted like watered-down chocolate milk but with enough flavor. I was to drink 2 450ml bottles. One before bed and one 45 mins before my scheduled CT scan. First dose went down very smoothly but caused a lot of gas. Second dose was fine until about halfway through, where it just wasn't appetizing anymore. Second dose caused some loose stool about 30 minutes after and then evolved into pretty significant diarrhea. Definitely take the whole day off after your scan. Overall, not as bad as I thought it would be. Definitely drink lots of water for the following 24 hours after your scan."

• Ama...
• August 10, 2016

For Computed Tomography "The taste of the mochaccino smoothie was very tolerable. Tasted like watered-down chocolate milk but with enough flavor. I was to drink 2 450ml bottles. One before bed and one 45 mins before my scheduled CT scan. First dose went down very smoothly but caused a lot of gas. Second dose was fine until about halfway through, where it just wasn't appetizing anymore. Second dose caused some loose stool about 30 minutes after and then evolved into pretty significant diarrhea. Definitely take the whole day off after your scan. Overall, not as bad as I thought it would be. Definitely drink lots of water for the following 24 hours after your scan."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

For Computed Tomography "Horrible taste. The flavor of artificial sweeteners was overwhelming. I can't tolerate artificial sweeteners. A couple of hours after drinking, I had explosive diarrhea. It was terrible, my stomach was cramping, and I barely made it to the bathroom on several occasions. I won't drink it again."

• Gli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2016

Barium sulfate for Computed Tomography "I took the first dose at 7:55 a.m. I had kept both bottles in the refrigerator as instructed. The taste was not as awful as anticipated, but there was so much of it that it took nearly 15 minutes to finish. I felt bloated and uncomfortable. I took the second dose at 8:20 a.m. and had much more difficulty getting it down. Finally tossed about 4 ounces down the drain. I really thought I was going to throw it all up. I was given a cup with another half bottle of Volumen to drink as soon as I got to the clinic. That was warm and tasted worse. After waiting for 10 minutes, I was taken to the room for the CT Enterography and given the second half of the bottle to drink. I was already having to urinate every 5 minutes by then, but got through it. Had diarrhea all day."

• wil...
• June 29, 2016

For Computed Tomography "No problems drinking 28 ounces and half an hour later drinking second 28 ounces, both vanilla flavored. About 3 1/2 hours after the procedure, diarrhea started and, oh my, it continued for 4 hours, almost non-stop. Not fun! I might as well have been preparing for a colonoscopy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2013

For Computed Tomography "About 15 minutes after drinking the second bottle, the diarrhea started. It was pretty severe and made it difficult to get through the CT scan. It was followed by nausea and some weakness. It started early in the morning and is lasting well into the night."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2024

For Computed Tomography "7:30 am I went to complete my GI checkup. I believe the whole procedure is a bit different in China. We don't have to take extra doses the night before the test, and we take much fewer portions (200-250 cc, a full paper cup in total). It was hard to swallow at first, but tolerable. I drank half of the cup before the test and took the few sips left during the test. I experienced a gassy, stretchy feeling afterward, and the gas persisted for a few hours. I did feel so nauseous that I ate nothing but a hard candy for breakfast. Fortunately, I didn't get diarrhea as expected. It's important to drink plenty of water to avoid constipation. So, don't cancel your appointment for concern over those side effects. They do happen but are still rare. I'm glad that the test has revealed the cause of my upset stomach. The outcomes sure outweigh these weaknesses."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2022

For Computed Tomography "Chose the mochaccino flavor, and it wasn't bad at all, aside from a strange sensation in the throat after swallowing. Smaller sips worked best for me. I got a bit nauseated at the amount that needed to be consumed, but I got it all down without too much of an issue. It did cause me to have diarrhea three times during the course of the first bottle. Second bottle, one more trip to the restroom. Then just a LOT of gas that slowly started to build up. Came home, felt tired, and took a nap, and have been extremely gassy all night. Otherwise, it was not a bad experience. Not nearly as nasty as that Clenpiq stuff you drink for colon prep. Don't recommend making any plans for 24 hours after consumption in case you have tummy issues as a result as well."

• Her...
• September 3, 2020

For Computed Tomography "I had my CT scan today, I had to drink the barium sulfate... I’ve had constant diarrhea for 7 hours now. My stomach sounds like there’s a thunderstorm inside."

• clo...
• November 2, 2017

For Computed Tomography "Didn't taste bad at all. You just have to take it! Did give me diarrhea, though."

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2020

For Computed Tomography "Tasted sweet, not too bad. Had a couple bouts of diarrhea, but nothing severe and resolved within a day!"

• Exp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2022

For Computed Tomography "Taste wasn't awful, but not great. Had to drink 3 bottles. Diarrhea started after the first bottle and is continuing. Feel a little dizzy and out of it."