Citric acid/magnesium oxide/sodium picosulfate and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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..."

• Syn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Followed instructions, process started okay, but suddenly got cramps and sweats. Passed out three times between bathroom and bed, face planting on one occasion. Did not complete prep out of fear of arrhythmia or non-benign cause of passing out. Scary experience, unexpected given prior experience with lemon-lime fizzy prep. Definitely do not attempt this prep alone and read the warnings versus other methods."

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2024

For Bowel Preparation "Time for my 5-year colonoscopy. I took CLENPIQ, and it was by far the easiest prep ever! Four days prior to my prep, I only ate chicken broth to gradually clean my colon. I took the first dose at 3 pm the day before, and it tastes like a flat Sprite. Followed it with five glasses of water. Went to the bathroom only four times as my colon was pretty much already clean. At 3 am, I took the next dose followed by three glasses of water. Went to the bathroom three times. No cramping either. My appointment was at 9 am. No polyps. I had a few polyps in prior years. I go back in 10 years. I recommend CLENPIQ!"

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Only two small bottles, but geez, it tastes bad; sickly sweet and nauseating. I used a straw to try and direct it towards the back of my mouth; tried Cepacol lozenges to numb the taste buds; tried seltzer to try and make it more tolerable, perhaps with some improvement. Sprite and apple juice just made things worse. It did clean me out for my colonoscopy (though I wasn't able to finish the morning bottle) with a minimal amount of cramping, but, ugh, I don't know that I would use it again."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Disgusting taste and one was more than sufficient. Caused massive cramping and diarrhea for over 8 straight hours. My ass was so irritated I couldn't even wipe it and when I went to bed, I was still cramped up. Not recommended at all."

• 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!"

• Hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "I’m an extremely anxious person, and I was very much in my headspace about taking this after reading the reviews. But it’s a walk in the park compared to the other preps. Sure, I got slightly nauseous, but I had zero cramping, pain, or violent bowel movements. It was completely manageable. I was the first procedure at 7:00 A.M., so I took my doses at 3 pm and 9 pm the day before. I was asleep by 12:30 A.M. and slept the remainder of the night. I had a successful colonoscopy with a good report."

• Lad...
• June 16, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I had my 8th colonoscopy today, and I must admit this was the best prep I've ever used. I went on the all-liquid diet yesterday morning and took my first dose at 5 p.m. last night. No nausea, gagging, or cramping. I had a slight headache. The prep took about an hour to kick in. I went to the bathroom off and on until midnight or so. I took the second dose this morning at 7:45 a.m. No problems handling this either. By the time I was ready to head to the surgicenter at noon, the remainder of my output was clear! My colonoscopy was negative, and the pictures of my colon were bright and shiny! I told my GI doctor about my experience with this prep. He was happy to hear that I had no problems. As noted by the others here, the prep is expensive. I had a coupon from my doctor and, with insurance, ended up paying $75."

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Horrendous experience. 2nd dose of Clenpiq gave me a bad headache, nausea, and projectile vomiting. My colon was not cleaned, and now I have to have a repeat colonoscopy. Now experiencing persistent cramping and diarrhea."

• 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."