Clenpiq and Cramps: What Users Say

• Gol...
• January 5, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I have had several colonoscopies and various preps over the years. This one is the easiest in terms of the amount of liquid required, however, after an hour or so after the second bottle, the vomiting began. The taste is not great, but since the bottle is so small, it is manageable. The bowel movements started about 45 minutes after the first bottle. I had no issues with cramping, etc. I also didn’t need to spend every waking moment in the bathroom, and the prep was effective (the doctor said the cleanout was excellent). I plan to request this prep for the next procedure (for me, it’s every 2 years). I usually do not post comments, etc., however, I did research this prep prior to utilizing it, and based on the reviews here I was apprehensive about it. It honestly is not as bad as some of the reviews indicate, so I wanted to share my experience in the hopes it will help relieve others' anxiety about the prep."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Just had a colonoscopy screening this morning after Clenpiq prep. I hope this encourages others with anxiety about colonoscopy prep. I was terrified of all the possible negative side effects - headache, cramping, nausea, and vomiting, and not being cleaned out after all of that. I have a sensitive stomach and don't drink a large volume of fluids. Ate a low-fiber diet for 2 days prior to prep day, and I took Zofran (anti-nausea medicine) 30 min before each prep dose. I easily drank lots of fluids yesterday - and I am NOT a chugger - and I was not hungry. My nurse said I could sip the prep - better to take 30 minutes to finish it than drink too fast and risk nausea/vomiting. It didn't taste BAD, just very sweet. The prep resulted in clear, pale yellow elimination with no cramping, extreme urgency, or other side effects. I took one Clenpiq dose at 3pm and one at 9pm yesterday. My procedure was at 7:30am today. I am SO thankful I did it - screenings are so important! I will choose Clenpiq again!"

• DAS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "For bowel preparation: This is definitely NOT a one-size-fits-all. I weigh under 115 lbs (5'1). This was the most barbaric and traumatizing prep I’ve ever done. I would not recommend it to anyone, ever, for any reason! Severe cramping, vomiting simultaneously while cleansing the colon, shaking, trouble breathing, numbness in legs and arms. Absolutely terrifying. I thought it was going to be the end of me, alone on my bathroom floor! I was given the same quantity/prescription that a 200-400 lb person would receive. This stuff is toxic! Never again. The prep caused serious internal inflammation."

• 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."

• Lor...
• July 17, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I had only used Suprep in the past and dreaded having to go through this again. The doctor gave me the option of using Clenpiq this time, and my experience was so much better. I did the low-fiber diet for 3 days before and drank lots of Gatorade and fluids the day of the prep. I started my prep at 3 pm and drank the first bottle with no problem. It tasted so much better than the Suprep. No comparison! It started working within 30 minutes. I was then in the bathroom for the next 3 hours, only leaving for maybe 10 minutes at a time. No cramping or pain. I started my 2nd dose at 10:00 pm. I had one episode of cramping, but that went away after about 10 minutes. I had no burning or having my butt on fire like I did with the Suprep. The colonoscopy the next day went well, and the doctor said I was cleaned out well. I would definitely recommend this prep over Suprep any day!"

• 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."

• pez...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "This stuff is awesome compared to the nightmare preps I've had in the past! Easy to drink, no nausea or vomiting, no cramping. I was so surprised considering I have only had violent reactions to laxatives in the past. The taste is salty and sweet and kind of lingers in your mouth, but it was a small amount to drink. I just chugged it down without an issue and followed with a full glass of water. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy."

• ndo...
• July 19, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Highly recommend! This was my second colonoscopy with a different gastroenterologist. The first time I did the Miralax prep and had a horrible time with the prep. I always said I would never have another one due to prep. I was extremely anxious about the prep. The doctor prescribed this prep and had a free sample at the office. Insurance did not cover, and it would cost $170 if not for the sample. It was easy to get the first bottle down. I used a straw. The taste was not bad. I drank fluids all day and drank more than recommended during prep. Tolerable cramping noted. The second prep had to be done at 3 am. I was still going to the bathroom in the office at 9 am, so I recommended starting early. Prep was described as good by the doctor. I would highly recommend taking this prep!!!!"

• HFa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "This was the most barbaric and traumatizing cleanse I’ve ever done. I would not recommend it to anyone, ever, for any reason! Severe cramping, vomiting simultaneously while cleansing the colon, shaking, trouble breathing, numbness in legs and arms. Absolutely terrifying. I thought it was going to be the end of me, alone on my bathroom floor! This is not a one size fits all. I’m 5’3”, 117 lbs. I was given the same quantity/prescription that a 400 lb person would receive. This stuff is toxic! Never again."

• Kit...
• January 8, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I'm 24 and had my first colonoscopy this morning. Despite major anxiety, I was pleasantly surprised. The fluid was easy to drink and tasted quite sweet, like candy. I hate cranberry and though it was cranberry flavored, it didn't taste repulsive at all, and I actually liked it. I had NO unpleasant side effects like nausea, headache, or cramps, as I feared I might, and though I spent more time in the bathroom than I would have preferred, it wasn't nightmarish. I did the same-day instead of the split dose and was able to get a few hours of quality sleep in with vivid dreams before my morning exam. Like everyone says about turning on a faucet, it gets the job done, and it's nice not to have to drink heavily. The two bottles are such a nice advancement to what my family members went through in the past, and I'm so glad this product is available and I like that it doesn't have to be mixed. Clenpiq is very convenient and worth the extra money in comparison to other bowel prep solutions!"

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "Horrifyingly bad! I never had such terrible cramping, even while giving birth to two children naturally. On top of that, I had explosive diarrhea and vomiting all at the same time. I truly felt like I was going to die from the trauma that was unleashed on my body. The doctor said to go to the ER, but how do you get to the ER when you are expelling from both sides of your body and doubled over from cramps? This all occurred after ingesting the first bottle. Needless to say, I never took the second. I won't be using it again. Ever. I would give this a 0 rating if they allowed."

• Fem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "HARSH!!! I would NOT recommend using Clenpiq if you are a small person with a prior bowel surgery. I eat healthy and keep active, but had a fluke bowel obstruction and emergency resection six months ago. My GI doc wants a colonoscopy to make sure things healed well and gave me Clenpiq to prep. I ate a light diet for 2 days before, then did clear liquids for 1 day. I took the first Clenpiq dose the night before the colonoscopy; it tasted like oily, weak Kool-Aid and made me nauseated. Within 30 minutes, I had explosive diarrhea - lasted for about 4 hours, plus cramping and back pain. It slowed down, and I tried to sleep, but woke up two hours later with more explosive diarrhea that lasted an hour. I couldn’t sleep at that point, so I took the second dose; 15 minutes later, explosive diarrhea, mainly water, for the next 90 minutes. Now I have a migraine. I will be cleaned out for the colonoscopy, but this is too harsh for someone who weighs 120 and has a sensitive bowel. NEVER AGAIN."

• Sus...
• September 8, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Followed the Clenpiq instructions to a T. All it did was give me really bad cramps, chills. Did not work... lost a day at work for absolutely nothing. Have to do the whole thing over but will NEVER use Clenpiq again."

• TWa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I took same-day prep for a 5 am colonoscopy the next day. Started bottle one at 4 pm. I had bowel movements an hour later, and that lasted off and on for another hour. No cramps or nausea. Took bottle two at 10 pm and went after an hour. I was asleep by 12:30 and up the next day for the procedure. First colonoscopy, but if it’s this easy, I won’t be apprehensive next time."

• IMa...
• November 4, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I would definitely do this prep again if they don't come up with something even better by my next procedure. No cramping, no vomiting, no feeling like a lot of liquid sitting in my stomach. The taste was not good but tolerable (drank it down and sucked on a lemon drop to get the taste out of my mouth.) I read a lot of reviews on preps, and I think the low residue diet three days before helped a whole lot. I wasn't sure it would clean me out because I didn't have near the BMs like when taking other preps, but I was cleaned out. No warning sign for bathroom time, muscles seemed to just open up. I would try to up my electrolyte drinks next time because they had to give me some, although I drank lots of liquids (for someone who doesn't like water.) I had read so many negative comments on this prep, but it sounds like it just depends on the individual."

• Ouc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Crushing chest pain 1.5 hours after ingestion. Seems to be working, but absolutely agonizing pain, cramps, and sweating. Dreading the follow-up dose. Three stars because it seems to be clearing me, but good lord, the pain and sweats. With love, from the can."

• Eve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2024

For Bowel Preparation "I am sensitive to a lot of meds and PANIC when I have to take something new. I have IBS-D, I worried this would land me in the hospital. To my great surprise and relief, Clenpiq turned out to be as “gentle” as my GI specialist said it would be. I drank the first bottle at 5 pm the day before. For me, it took about 2 hours to kick in. I had anticipated painful cramping, but ZERO cramps and no nausea - which I’d expected and asked my doc for a Zofran script just in case (I didn’t need it). From 8 pm to 3 am, I was back and forth to the bathroom - but it wasn’t painful at all. Just exhausting. The second bottle I only drank half because I was already going clear after the first bottle. Doc said the next day that I was perfectly cleaned out. ***TIP: Eat a low fiber/low-residue diet 3-4 days before your prep day. It helped me clean out better and more with just the first dose. It can reduce cramping too. I had none at all. Bottom line - I’m not scared of prep anymore because of Clenpiq."

• Jul...
• September 7, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I was deeply afraid of the prep. The Clenpiq prep was the size of a child’s water bottle. It didn’t taste great, but it was so tolerable! I did split prep and had no issues! No cramps, stomach aches, or nausea. The second dose in the AM really kicked in, but I was totally clean for the prep. I would recommend this to anyone - this prep is easy!"

• mar...
• July 27, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "This was my second colonoscopy. My first one I had no problems at all. This time I took Clenpiq, and it has been a terrible experience. Other than the fact that it did cleanse me out, there is nothing else positive about this product. I took the first bottle at 3:30 PM. The taste is absolutely putrid and lingers. But that is not the worst part of it. It started working about 2 hours after the first dose, I also started having chills. Another couple of hours later, I was having very watery bowels, then nothing for an hour or so, so I went to bed. I woke up twice in the middle of the night in a puddle of watery poop. Had to change and shower. After the second shower, I passed out. Thank goodness my husband was there. I felt terrible, lightheaded, nauseous, heart racing. As directed, I took the second dose at 9 am. For hours after the colonoscopy, bad cramps. Had loose stools for 2 days and still feel 'off' over a week later. This stuff was toxic to my body. NEVER AGAIN!!!"

• MDS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Probably the worst drug experience I have ever had. Name the symptom on the list, I had it: headache, bloating, ear pain, severe nausea, belching, cramping, dizzy. It took 5.5 hours with the first dose to make my first run to the bathroom, and I was living on plain pasta and soups for the last 3 days. I have IBS-C, and my regular drug Trulance does a better clean out with a tsp of olive oil. Total nightmare. I luckily had Dulcolax in the house to be able to take 3 of those to add to the mix. Added that from reading here and took the second dose right after I started going, for fear I would not be done. I am determined to make this work even if I have to take more Dulcolax. Horrible drug. How can anyone prescribe something with a 50% success rate? Last time I took some salty grape thing, ice cold with ice and a cold water chaser, and it worked fast, and I was done with both doses by 11 pm. I have a 6:30 am arrival tomorrow and likely will have no sleep tonight."

• rd4...
• April 28, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I was extremely bloated with cramps for 1 week after using Clenpiq for my colonoscopy prep. It took 3 hours before it worked, then continued for 8 hours. Then I had to take the 2nd bottle. It did work, but I felt bad for days."

• KDK...
• February 27, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I have had colonoscopies for 36 years now, spanning from every year to every 3-5 years. I was very upset to be told that I had to buy this product for my most recent prep. The total was $134.95, but there was an online coupon that I found where I got it for $40.00. I was used to a different prep that was under $8.00. Let me begin by saying that I'm a huge baby when it comes to this stuff. I hate drinking water/fluids. This prep was pretty good, the taste wasn't the greatest, but I sucked it through a straw and had my toothbrush waiting with lots of toothpaste to clean out my mouth! No cramping or nausea, the only bad thing about this prep is doing it twice, and it burns your butt real good! I used baby wipes and Vaseline between each episode to help ease the pain! Lol."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Tastes like sweet and salty chalk, but I didn't mind. I am on the 2nd bottle now. Tons of water and clear Pedialyte, so I have zero dehydration, no headaches or anything, no cramps, no nausea. Worried a bit because I only have a small amount of bowel movements that were just liquid, and now nothing. That's it? Did it work? I go in for the colonoscopy in about 3 hours. I am up all night feeling like I gotta go, but then don't. So we will see."

• AGa...
• March 31, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This Clenpiq prep is amazing. This was my 5th attempt at a colonoscopy. This is the only prep I’ve been able to keep down. The taste is horrible, but that’s to be expected. I just held my nose, drank a sip of the prep, and then a sip of water. The best tip I can give you is to drink room temperature water or clear liquids. You will have little to no cramping at all with room temperature liquids."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Took first dose at five PM. It began to work about twenty minutes later. Then the cramps/abdominal pain kicked in. Intermittent for 3.5 hours, so far. There is severe pain. I will not be able to complete this medication, I won't be able to get my colonoscopy, and I'm still in excruciating pain 3.5 hours later. I followed all instructions to a tee. The medication didn't taste bad, so that's one thing going for it. Hopefully, this single dose wears off soon, or I'll have to go to the hospital. I got this because it was covered by my insurance, and Suprep was not."