Clenpiq and Bad Taste: What Users Say

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I was given this as a free sample. I understand it is quite expensive. I did not eat anything the day of the prep. I was quite anxious after seeing some reviews. First bottle was at 4:00. Took 15 minutes to get down with a straw and popsicle bites in between. Kind of nasty taste but at least it is small. Kicked in about 45 minutes later. In and out of the bathroom for the next few hours. No cramps. Seemed pretty cleaned out. Took the next bottle at 10:00 with the same straw and popsicle. There were no cramps, but I finished going around 1:00 am. It was not as bad as some people are saying. Better than the citrate prep I did last time."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "35 y/o male with a history of colon cancer on both sides. I was dreading this due to the negative reviews and the fact that I have a very weak stomach for everything. Here’s the verdict: The liquid is clear. The taste is sweet. Like a very sweet juice. I drank the whole bottle in about three big gulps. No bad taste. No aftertaste. No nausea. No cramping. I was expecting to have all of these things. Nothing. I drank it chilled from the refrigerator. It began to work within 30 minutes. It created watery diarrhea. Like pure liquid. I had 12 trips to the restroom. But very manageable. It sort of feels like having a slight stomach bug. I stayed close to the restroom and hydrated with Gatorade Zero. I will do it again without worry."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "35 y/o male with a history of colon cancer on both sides. I was dreading this due to the negative reviews and the fact that I have a very weak stomach for everything. Here’s the verdict: The liquid is clear. The taste is sweet. Like a very sweet juice. I drank the whole bottle in about three big gulps. No bad taste. No aftertaste. No nausea. No cramping. I was expecting to have all of these things. Nothing. I drank it chilled from the refrigerator. It began to work within 30 minutes. It created watery diarrhea. Like pure liquid. I had 12 trips to the restroom. But very manageable. It sort of feels like having a slight stomach bug. I stayed close to the restroom and hydrated with Gatorade Zero. I will do it again without worry."

• KSm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I am a 46-year-old female. I just had my 5th colonoscopy. My doctor said I was cleaned out well. I like that Clenpiq was low volume. I hate the high-volume preps! But the taste was awful. I had to dilute it with Perrier and Gatorade, which helped. I made homemade chicken broth and peach-flavored Jello to get me through the day. I started it earlier (at 3:30 pm) rather than the proposed 5:30 pm time, and I'm glad I did to get the process started sooner. First bowel movement came 90 minutes later. I know colonoscopies are not easy, but they are a necessary evil, make the best of it."

• Ups...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "CLENPIQ is by far the worst medication I have ever taken! The taste is pungent, acidic, and still penetrable while holding my nose! I could not swallow once without gagging! Then there is an aftertaste that lingers for many hours. It feels like it has infiltrated your gums, tongue, and mucous membranes. The only decent thing I have to say is that it was effective. With all the strides in medicine that have been made, and colonoscopy being a routine procedure, there must be something better than this product. I don't think any person should be subjected to this, ever! I had a colonoscopy 10-15 years ago and the prep was no big deal. If it were like this experience, I may not have had a second colonoscopy. I have been through surgeries, births, other medical procedures, and many, many medications. Some have been painful or uncomfortable, but I would choose any of them over this! If this is prescribed for you, please ask for something more pleasant!"

• Ups...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "CLENPIQ is by far the worst medication I have ever taken! The taste is pungent, acidic, and still penetrable while holding my nose! I could not swallow once without gagging! Then there is an aftertaste that lingers for many hours. It feels like it has infiltrated your gums, tongue, and mucous membranes. The only decent thing I have to say is that it was effective. With all the strides in medicine that have been made, and colonoscopy being a routine procedure, there must be something better than this product. I don't think any person should be subjected to this, ever! I had a colonoscopy 10-15 years ago and the prep was no big deal. If it were like this experience, I may not have had a second colonoscopy. I have been through surgeries, births, other medical procedures, and many, many medications. Some have been painful or uncomfortable, but I would choose any of them over this! If this is prescribed for you, please ask for something more pleasant!"

• Jo ...
• April 25, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Horrible taste, a combination of a sugary and sulfur taste. Soft bowels 2 hours after 1st dose. After 2nd dose, soft bowel 2 hours later. Hour 4, first good burst, but not enough to clean out for the procedure to be successful. I need to repeat the procedure. PS: Had the diarrhea AFTER the procedure. Do NOT recommend."

• Hap...
• June 18, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Couldn’t be happier with this preparation!!! Prepped using the split-dose method. Used a soft diet the day before the prep that included white bread toast and Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, and 32 ounces of Gatorade. The day of prep, drank tons of water, the small bottle of prep (about the equivalent of approximately three or four shot glasses). Followed by a second small bottle next morning together with 3 cups of water. The syrup tastes very sweet but found that when warm chicken broth was taken between sips, the broth was amazing for treating the aftertaste. Will definitely use again in the future!"

• Ove...
• July 15, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "First of all, this prep is full of artificial sweeteners. I actually have a sensitivity to those, as many do, and evacuate them quickly. I had all clear liquids the day before, as directed. The first bottle worked in 45 minutes, and then I spent every hour in the bathroom spilling liquid from my behind. Pretty sure I was prepped for the next day's procedure by 10 pm. I could see through the toilet water. I drank my 5 cups of water right away. Had an EGD scheduled along with the colonoscopy, so I knew I couldn't have anything to eat or drink past about 5 am. Reluctantly, drank the second bottle around midnight. Set an alarm to get up and drink water. Had to use A&D ointment on my bottom before 9 pm... Taste was awful. Salty and horrible artificial sweetener mixed with absent cranberry. But the upside was the small dose. Would definitely recommend having both doses, though, before midnight to be all done with movements pre-procedure."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "First and last time to use this Clenpiq prep. On top of the horrible taste, it didn't work. I've had three colonoscopies in the past and never had a problem with prepping until this one. I told my doctor I want something different next time. The use of Clenpiq was easy enough, with the exception of being able to open the bottle. I'm arthritic, and so is my husband. The bottle was difficult to open for both of us. The taste was gross. I chased it with water each swallow to get it down. I was able to have my test, but my doctor said my prep was 'sub-optimal.' I followed the instructions to the letter. Very disappointed in this prep."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "First and last time to use this Clenpiq prep. On top of the horrible taste, it didn't work. I've had three colonoscopies in the past and never had a problem with prepping until this one. I told my doctor I want something different next time. The use of Clenpiq was easy enough, with the exception of being able to open the bottle. I'm arthritic, and so is my husband. The bottle was difficult to open for both of us. The taste was gross. I chased it with water each swallow to get it down. I was able to have my test, but my doctor said my prep was 'sub-optimal.' I followed the instructions to the letter. Very disappointed in this prep."

• Jen...
• May 4, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "What a terrible, terrible-tasting prep. Praying it did the trick for the am but not hopeful. Awful chills, as others have experienced. I went clear, and AFTER the second bottle at 1 am, had some formed stool. Not sure how that is even possible. I have had 6 different preps, and this was the worst for aftertaste and side effects."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "First, let me say this stuff tastes nasty and leaves an aftertaste. But it could also be my hunger talking. I was happy that there were only 2 bottles and fluids at my own pace. The mag citrate seemed to have caused more bowel movement for me, but again I have to acknowledge that I was instructed to drink that first several hours before starting this. Crossing my fingers that I don’t have to do this again for a few years. The pro is that this tastes so much better than the gallon stuff."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "First, let me say this stuff tastes nasty and leaves an aftertaste. But it could also be my hunger talking. I was happy that there were only 2 bottles and fluids at my own pace. The mag citrate seemed to have caused more bowel movement for me, but again I have to acknowledge that I was instructed to drink that first several hours before starting this. Crossing my fingers that I don’t have to do this again for a few years. The pro is that this tastes so much better than the gallon stuff."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "This has to be the nastiest thing I’ve ever had to force myself to drink. I had to try really hard not to vomit. The horrible taste lingered even after I drank apple juice to try to get rid of the taste in my mouth. The next time I need to do bowel prep, I’m going to ask my doctor to prescribe ANYTHING else because I never want to drink that again! I am glad my insurance covered most of the cost because the Pharmacy Tech told me it would be a couple hundred if not covered. This is actually the first medication I’ve given a review on! It’s so bad I want to warn others!"

• not...
• November 16, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "The reviews have been helpful for my decision making with my (prescribed prep), which was 4 Ducolax tabs 2 hours prior to the 1st dose of Clenpiq. I did not take the Ducolax tabs. I started Clenpiq #1 at 5 pm, it started working about 30 minutes later. I drank all 5 cups of water and had hydrated myself early in the day with clear liquids. Important to stay hydrated. I did not have bad cramps at all. By 9 pm, it slowed down. By 10:30 pm, I drank #2 bottle, I drank it slowly this time because the aftertaste was making my stomach queasy. I drank 3/4 of the bottle because I knew that the first bottle was very effective. Had small trips to the commode, mostly water (bright yellow). I am so glad I did not take the biscodyl tabs as prescribed, it would have been bad as I am an older woman, 5'6, 124 lbs, and have a heart condition and not in great shape but still very active, working and such. Clenpiq was gentle and effective, and my doctor wrote that my prep was good and was able to examine the entire colon. Score 10."

• Rur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Third colonoscopy but my first with Clenpiq. The first two bowel preps were horrid. This was much better. Started having bowel movements after 1/2 hour. Lasted about 5 1/2 hours. Second dose went on for about 2 hours. Still having a few loose movements after 8 hours though. My only thing was I thought the taste was awful! I had to down the bottles but it still lingered. Super hydrate the day before and stay hydrated during. I drank more than the 5 glasses. Feeling a little spent the day of, but all in all, Clenpiq seems to be the least harsh prep I've used out of 3 different ones."

• Fed...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "7/13/2022, my wife is having her colonoscopy tomorrow, and she is literally about to pass out from taking this stuff. It was $85 of hell she is experiencing. 1. The taste is terrible. 2. She is cramping and getting chills. 3. Her stomach is in knots. I had mine done 2 years ago, and my doctor prescribed for me 3 tablets of Dulcolax. Then take Miralax at 6 pm to start. This Clenpiq is awful and expensive just to get sick and crap."

• Nob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Good experience. I don't get some of these overly dramatic 'worst thing in the whole world' reviews. Taste was honestly not that bad at all. Pleasant berry flavor… and I HATE cranberry juice… slight (SLIGHT) aftertaste that pretty much disappeared after required water afterwards and a cup of lime jello. No cramping or bloating, no 'OMGOSH' urgency. Be sure to hit their website for a coupon that can bring the cost down as low as $40. Mine was $40! I'd do it again without hesitation. Maybe it helps that I remember my father having to drink a gallon jug of prep back around 2010ish and what he went through. This was a walk in the park for this 48-year-old!"

• Dav...
• September 28, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Horrible! The medication has a very bad taste. Not only do I not like cranberries, the taste is more of a chemical flavor. After taking the first bottle, it took almost 3 hours to work. Started taking it at 6:30 pm as instructed. The second dose was taken at 1:30 am. This took about 2 hours before working. Drank more water than the minimum amount recommended. Still having diarrhea 30 minutes before the procedure at 7:00 am. Still having tan-colored stools. Was not completely cleaned during the colonoscopy. I informed my physician that I do not want this medicine in the future. I have had colonoscopies before with Halflitely. Too bad that this was discontinued. I do not recommend this product for colonoscopy prep."