Prepopik and Cramps: What Users Say

• Lof...
• May 19, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Had my 15th colonoscopy on 5/18/17. My first one was back in 1983 when the procedure was very new. For me, Prepopik was the best prep ever. The 5 oz powdered drinks were not bad at all. Two nights before the procedure, I drank a 10-ounce bottle of magnesium citrate as prescribed. I had a movement 7 hours later at 4 am. I started my Prepopik (part 1) at 4 pm the day before the procedure. I finished my 5 glasses of Gatorade and apple juice within 90 minutes. Had 2 movements within 2 hours. I started my Prepopik (part 2) at 2 am the morning of the procedure. Finished my 3 glasses of apple juice and Gatorade within 30 minutes, and had 2 movements within 1.5 hours. I had no issues with nausea or cramping. My colonoscopy started about 8:45 am. Some tips: I have a feeling some folks may tend to overeat on their last meal day in fear of starvation on their liquid diet day. This means they will have more to pass the next day. Try eating lighter meals that day. Purchase the softest toilet tissue you can find. It helps. Also, try applying A&D ointment between movements. Good luck, and I hope this helps."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I was given this prep since my first try was rescheduled due to an adverse reaction to Golytely colon prep. At first, I wasn't sure it was working. I was told by my GI to start at 2 pm with the first packet in 5 oz of liquid and the second packet at 7 pm. I heard bowel sounds at 8 pm, but nothing moving. I did have to use an enema per Dr. orders, however, I did have the prep start working within a few minutes after, and as I write this... well, let's just say it's 11:30 pm and I am still awake using the restroom. No cramping, no nausea, no headaches. It is very gentle. I am a 39-year-old female and have a history of colitis with severe constipation."

• Zeb...
• July 8, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I chose Prepopik because a GI doctor recommended it. The colorectal surgeon performing the colonoscopy agreed to let me try it. Taking it is very easy and it tastes fine. I took it at five in the afternoon. Within an hour, it started to work. I continued to have to use the bathroom off and on for the whole evening. Finally, at 1:30, I called the surgeon and told him I was still going to the bathroom and there was no way I was going to be able to do a second dose. He agreed. Turned out the first dose cleaned me out just fine. I had cramping while taking it, but nothing horrible. I didn't feel nauseous and I didn't get a headache. I have a sensitive stomach and one dose was plenty. The procedure itself was a breeze."

• jay...
• February 24, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "61 yr old male, 3rd colonoscopy, 1st time for Prepopik - $40 after insurance. Followed all product instructions. 1st dose @ 6 pm, 2nd dose @ 11 pm for a 7 am procedure. Taste is very mild & easy to swallow. For my liquids, alternated Sprite, Gatorade, apple juice, and beef broth. Also alternated lemon, pineapple, and lime Jell-O when hungry (allowable per instructions). Several hrs for 1st action, then sporadic trips as needed. Actually slept in bed from 2:30-5:00 am. No cramps, nausea, dizziness, fever, huge gas explosions, or other ugly side effects (other than normal burning and raw feeling). Highly recommend moist wipes. Color was eventually pale brown/bright yellow before leaving home @ 5:30 (never clear). Colon photos were clean & clear."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I was prescribed this for a diagnostic colonoscopy to investigate bleeding and loose bowels. I was assigned the split-dose prep, where you take one dose in the evening and the other the morning of the exam. The first 5-ounce drink was easy to swallow, and I was able to follow it with 5 cups of the clear liquid of choice - I chose two water, one chicken stock, one ginger ale, and one Gatorade. After an hour, the effects kicked in. I didn't experience any cramping or nausea. I went to bed two hours after taking it and got up about once an hour for the next four hours. I was running clear at this time and considered skipping dose two. Instead, I took half the second dose and fluids. I was perfectly clear for the exam."

• nic...
• June 14, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "It was my first time having a colonoscopy, and everyone is saying the prep is the worst. Prepopik made it really easy. Tastes good, only 5 oz to drink, followed up by 5 glasses of water over the next few hours and then again 6 hours before the procedure. I was able to get little naps between toilet visits. No cramps or discomfort. No major time in the bathroom, just in and out. Totally worth extra money."

• Hmm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "This is the first time using Prepopik. Initially a little surprised it cost $45 with good insurance. I have Crohn's disease and this is the 4th scope in 3 years. Have been on clear liquids all the day before. Took the first dose at 5 pm as instructed and already have all liquid stool. Not the usual cramping and horrible urgency as with Gatorade and Miralax. Also does not feel like acid coming out! So far very pleased with the results! Not too excited for the 2 am dose, but hopefully it won't be too bad!"

• Wag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "This is my fifth colonoscopy since my diagnosis and tried Prepopik on the advice of a friend. I had no cramps, vomiting, or pain. I drank the required amount of liquid as suggested and then some. I think that is key. It started working in about an hour. It tasted a bit better than the other preps, but the best thing was how little you had to drink. I heard no complaints from the doctor, and when I go back in 3 years, I will use this again."

• Kei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Wow, what a positive experience. I ate a soft diet two days before and an all-liquid diet on the day before (as directed). My first drink at 4 p.m. went down so easily, there was so little (5 oz) it was nothing to get down. Within 45 mins, I was off and running. No cramping, no pain at all. At 10 p.m., I drank cup number two, began working right away, still no cramping or any other issues. It was off to bed and the next day off to the doctor. Very clean and great experience, well as great as this type of procedure can be..."

• Ksq...
• April 15, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I am doing the Prepopik for the first time. I've done the Golytely and the Miralax/Gatorade preps in the past. The Prepopik is tolerable. It's only 5 oz 2x, so it's not too difficult. I started feeling it work within the first half hour of taking the first dose. My stool was clear a couple of hours later. I took my 2nd dose 6 hours later as directed. It felt like I was pooping fire. It was HORRIBLE, take your breath away burning. I did remain clear yellow, though. The biggest struggle for me was drinking the at least 24 oz after the second dose. I couldn't take in any more liquid. My stomach was a mess. I had mild cramping, tons of gurgling, and a very uncomfortable digestion feeling. This prep wasn't worse than any of the others."

• IRa...
• March 25, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "This is a very small quantity prep. I just reduced solid intake 48 hours. I had breakfast - mostly protein - and started prep at 5 pm that day. Much easier to take using a straw - I drank seven 8 oz drinks over 3-4 hours - every time I went to the bathroom, I drank 8 oz. I did not notice severe cramps, etc. Second prep was harder, and I only took four 8 oz drinks. My last visit to the bathroom was clear. Happy with this product..."

• Har...
• August 18, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "First time colonoscopy, so cannot compare other preps. Took the first dose at 4 pm, followed by five 8 oz water until 9 pm. This was gentle enough. Took the second dose at 9 pm followed by three 8 oz of water until midnight. Around 2:30 am, I woke up with extreme abdominal cramping. Had bowel movements, went to stand up and was dizzy, hot, and laid down on the floor with very hard abdominal cramping. Got a pillow and laid on the tile floor because I was too sick to return to bed. Also had a small amount of vomiting during this time. The doctor said I was clean for the procedure, but won't be taking this again for a prep unless they do something for the horrible cramping."

• CD8...
• July 20, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "3rd colonoscopy, first with this prep. I was excited not to have to force down the large volume of the traditional and disgusting prep fluid. That's where my satisfaction ended. In short, it didn't do the job and left me bloated and cramping for days. 3 weeks after the procedure, I was still not feeling myself. I have learned from others this is a common experience. Do not recommend!"

• ski...
• March 14, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I took the Prepopik for my first colonoscopy (I'm 25), and I found it to be very effective. The orange flavor was very tolerable. I had no bad cramps or terrible side effects with it, but I had taken magnesium citrate the night before, and that had already cleaned me out somewhat. My only issue was I ended up so dehydrated that I showed up to my colonoscopy with a fever. Try to drink as much fluid as you can with this prep! I drank plenty, but there was more liquid coming out of me than going in. Overall, I would recommend the Prepopik. On a side note, my insurance didn't cover it, but the office I go to had it available. I recommend asking your office if they have it available if insurance won't cover it at the pharmacy."

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I was absolutely terrified of the colonoscopy, especially the prep, so I put it off until I was 56. BUT: I was surprisingly happy with Prepopik and won't use anything else going forward. I'm a small female and was concerned about the volume of prep as well as potential nausea and cramping. I took the Prepopik as directed, and drinking the five ozs. of solution was exactly like drinking a room-temperature orange Gatorade. Easy! My doctor had suggested that I consider going on a liquid diet for 2 days rather than one to make the prep most effective. I stuck with broth, Gatorade, Jell-O, and water. Followed instructions for evening and morning dose. Evening dose began to work after 1 hour, while morning dose worked after half an hour. Result: Doctor said procedure went perfectly and the colon was impeccably clean-- no need to return for 10 years! Highly recommend."

• Ste...
• July 9, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I used this prep only after the Dr. gave me a coupon that brought the cost down from $135 to $40. Talk about money down the toilet. I was instructed to take the 1st dose at 6 p.m. and the 2nd dose at 4 a.m. for a colonoscopy at 10 a.m. Had the first BM at 7:30 and the 4th BM around 2:30 a.m. After the 2nd dose at 4 a.m., no BM until 7:30 a.m. and still nowhere near running clear. Around 8 a.m., intense cramping began with very violent BMs. Passed out and became very weak. Doctor said to go to the ER. The colonoscopy was canceled and they gave me fluids and I was released by 11 a.m. Still continued to have BMs 17 hours after the 2nd dose. BMs didn't start running clear until 12 hours after the 2nd dose. I am a 54-year-old male who is healthy and active."

• sni...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "This prep, by far, was the best I have ever done out of 3 preps for colonoscopies. Absolutely no cramping, no nausea, no bloated feeling, just running to the toilet, is it! It was a slow type of action also, so you didn't feel so deadly dehydrated!"

• mbu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I don't know why there are so many negative reviews of this. This was my third colonoscopy, and this was by far the easiest and most effective prep. The taste was not bad and much better than a gallon of the previous stuff. No bloating, cramping, or vomiting. Took the first dose at 6 PM and was going by 7. Took the second at 2:30 and was totally clean by 4:30."

• Don...
• September 16, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "This was my first colonoscopy, and I chose Prepopik because it would be easier to drink. I normally have constipation problems, so I was concerned that it would not work. I mixed it very, very well with cold water (3 minutes of mixing) at 4 pm and drank it. It had a nice flavor, like orange Tang. Then I drank the 8 oz of water (one every 30 minutes). I was able to have a BM after 1 hour. Then I had a dozen for the next 3 hours. I was able to go to bed and sleep. No cramping. No nausea. The next morning, I drank the mixture at 3 am and the 8 oz of water (every 30 minutes). I did 4 waters until 6 am because my colonoscopy was at 10:20 am and I was not supposed to have fluids 4 hours before. Prepopik worked great. I would highly recommend it."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "3rd colonoscopy. Cost $65 after insurance! First dose at 6 pm. Very palatable. Drank 5 cups of liquid as instructed. Medicine started working within an hour, but the trips were very spaced out. By 10 pm dose, I was nowhere near 'running clear.' Was supposed to drink 3 more cups by 12, but only managed 2. Still slow going - in the bathroom every hour right up to the procedure. Needless to say, I was exhausted. I told the doc I wasn't sure I was cleaned out, but after the procedure, she said it was okay (and I'm cleared for 5 years!). But - terrible cramps after the procedure. Asked my husband to stay near because I thought I'd faint from the pain. And 24 hours after dose 1, I'm still prepping. Food is going right through me. Never again. Drink tons of water if you try it."

• jca...
• December 8, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I have had many colonoscopies, and this was the worst prep I ever used. None are pleasant, but for me, this is the worst. Took the first packet at 2:00 pm. It took an hour to start working and produced several loose bowel movements and lots of cramping and nausea. Took the second dose 6 hours later at 8:00 pm. Had a loose b.m. within 15 minutes and then nothing until four hours later after lots of cramping and bloating. I have consumed way more liquid than the instructions say to, and it is now 3:00 AM and I am still not clean. My scope is scheduled for 11 AM, and my experience tells me there is no way I will be clean by then. I STRONGLY ADVISE you to not use this."

• Erm...
• March 4, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Taking this was fine. The procedure was okay. I am having diarrhea for days after the procedure. Pain and cramping before bowel movement. Will not take again."

• Biz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I thought it was super easy, didn't have any nausea or cramping. Was fearing worst, and it cleaned me out by 3 a.m. Expensive at $50, but covered by my HSA card."