Citric acid/magnesium oxide/sodium picosulfate and Nausea: What Users Say

• CMA...
• July 19, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I just had my first colonoscopy on Friday, July 16. I was terrified of the prep! Please don't be. I have no other prep to compare Clenpiq to, but I will say that I recommend this prep. Please follow recommendations for the 3 days prior and the 1 day prior. Remember to stay hydrated. I took my first dose at 6:15 pm, and the prep started working 30 minutes later. I did use a straw, and I had cold ice water next to me to drink along. By 10 pm, I was done. I was able to sleep a few hours, and I was not running to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I can honestly say it was minor discomfort. I did the second dose early in the morning, and I was done within one hour. I did experience a little nausea and headache with both, but that could have been my nerves again. Doctor said I was super clean. Like others have said, the taste is between sweet and salty - a bit odd. Thank you for all the suggestions on the site."

• CL7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Great experience for my first colonoscopy thanks to Clenpiq! I drank it with a straw and the taste is slightly salty, that's all. A few sips and it's down. I started having diarrhea about 60 min later without any belly aches, any nausea, nothing. Early this morning I drank the second bottle, again no problems with the taste and no belly aches, no nausea during evacuation. I could not recommend Clenpiq enough. I am extremely happy with this experience. I was so fearful of the prep after hearing horror stories from friends and family, but I should not have been. I had no polyps so my next colonoscopy will be in 10 years when I turn 60 and I will make sure to ask my doctor to prescribe Clenpiq. It works well btw, I was squeaky clean (my doctor's words)! Stop fearing the prep and get ready for an important procedure with Clenpiq! You won't regret it. Now, to finally have some solid foods today!! Take care everyone!"

• mlu...
• June 7, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "For 2-3 days prior to prep day, I ate very low fiber foods. Prep day, I did liquids. At 5pm, I drank the first bottle. It was okay and I sucked a lifesaver while I drank it. I used a straw and was able to finish it fairly easily. I then drank 24 ounces of liquid. About an hour later, I got a headache and was nauseous. Then, I began going to the bathroom regularly. From about 7 p.m. to midnight, I was running to the bathroom and I did dry heave a bunch. But by midnight, I was pooping totally clear. I was so nauseous that I decided, since I was totally clear, that I was not going to take the second bottle. I decided not to tell the doctor I only did one bottle of prep since I was still pooping totally clear. I am 5 feet and 116 pounds, and the doctor said I was 100 percent clean and did a perfect job. I am not saying everyone should only drink one bottle, but if you feel you absolutely cannot continue AND you are pooping clear, I can say it worked for me!!!"

• 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!"

• KCC...
• January 15, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "This works. I always gagged on cough syrup, so I was worried. I like that each of the two doses is 6 ounces. I'm 50, so this was my first time. I'm a big water drinker with a strong stomach - not concerned about nausea. I had NO food on prep day. I had coffee in the morning, lots and lots of water (80 ounces) during the day. I started prep at 5:30 pm, taking a Reglan pill to reduce nausea. After a 30-minute wait, I began drinking the first dose. I mixed a 50-50 cocktail with Gatorade citrus. The product is extremely sweet, but I had no gagging. Bathroom trips started 30 minutes later and then hourly for the next 3 to 4 hours. I was able to sleep until 1:30 when I was due to get up again. I took the second Reglan pill and began drinking the second dose around 2 am. This one was harder to get down but still not too bad. After another hour of trips to the toilet, I was able to go back to bed until morning. The doctor said I was 'clean'. Clean results, no nausea, acceptable taste. This went as well as it could."

• 28a...
• March 18, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I'm a 28-year-old female, physically fit and healthy. I saw a gastroenterologist because I thought I had hemorrhoids. My grandfather died of colon cancer, so my doctor deemed me enough of a risk to warrant a colonoscopy, despite being so young. I did the split dose, and as someone who fears medical procedures, I can attest that this was very easy. I've seen the nightmare stories online of people running to the bathroom and staying there for a long time. I didn't have any of that. Clenpiq obviously tastes like medicine, but it's bearable and easy to drink! I experienced bowel movements 1 hour after the first dose and periodically throughout the evening and after the second dose. It's not fun to do a colonoscopy prep and fast for 24 hours, but it was so much easier than the internet makes it seem. Clenpiq seems to work really well. I did not have any dizziness, nausea, or headaches, and by the morning I was prepared for the colonoscopy (which was also much easier than I anticipated)."

• 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."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "It did the job and wasn't too unpleasant. I mean, this is not a recreational drug, right? But compared to other bowel preps, it was a much smaller volume. Each bottle is 160 ml (about 5.5 oz.), and you take the second one several hours after the first. The flavor is not great, but not terrible either, so it's not hard to drink that volume. You do have to drink 8 oz. of other liquids every hour, but those are your choice, and I didn't find that hard at all. I didn't have any painful stomach cramping or nausea. Right at 1 hour after the first dose, I had to go, then every 5 minutes for the first few times, but it tapers off after half an hour or so. I highly suggest applying cream back there after each 'event' to minimize the irritation. My insurance wouldn't cover, but if you ask for a discount, most places will charge you only $40 to $50."

• 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."

• Lis...
• September 1, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Let me start off by saying what a baby I am! My GI prescribed Suprep. I read the reviews and was scared. I called GI wondering what I do if I start vomiting trying to drink the prep. Thankfully, there was a really sweet nurse who had pity on me. She said she had a better choice called Clenpiq - prep only 5 oz, no mixing required. I could do 5 oz! Started early so I could sleep. Took Zofran at 5 pm, drank the first bottle at 6ish. Used a straw, held my nose, sucked it down in 2 swigs. Sucked on a lemon, drank white grape juice, and rinsed with warm water in between. Can't tell you what it tastes like because I never tasted it, thank GOD! It started working in 30 min. It was like someone just turned on a faucet. No cramps, no chills, nothing! (I was on a low residue/fiber diet 5 days pre, full liquid 2 days pre.) I just sat there, me and Netflix, done by 9 pm. Slept, woke up, took another Zofran, and drank the other bottle at 1 am, done by 4 am. Test was easy, Doc said I was super cleaned out. This Clenpiq is the only choice!!"

• 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!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• swa...
• June 25, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Although the ease of use is there by having to drink less of it compared to other preps, it was nauseating, thick, and awful. I had very bad lower belly pain, which I associated with the prep, and so did the healthcare professionals at the colonoscopy facility. Up to 48 hours later, I had barely any urine output and still horrendous lower belly pain, bloating, tenderness, and difficulty walking, sleeping, or sitting without pain. Perhaps 60 hours out now and beginning to have more urine output, but still not fully. The pain has lessened, but still, the lower belly is extremely tender to touch. The urine has a foul odor. I would not recommend this prep at all, and I think healthcare professionals have to be made aware of these side effects, especially if they are common, so they do not prescribe this horrible and debilitating prep."

• 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."

• 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."

• J9a...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Took first dose at 6 pm. Started bowel movements about an hour later. Done by 10:30. Woke up at 4 am for second dose. Half an hour later, felt nauseous. Another half an hour and vomited everywhere. Vomited three times in an hour. Must have vomited it all out because it did not do its intended purpose. Felt like I was so ill for five hours. Had to cancel the procedure because I wasn’t cleared out and nauseous."

• Noe...
• March 23, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I am a healthy 54-year-old who put off the colonoscopy. I remember taking a liquid for a test when pregnant, and it was horrible. I don’t drink soda/pop at all. My procedure was at 12:30. I tried to get an earlier one because I had read I might get hungry. I took the Clenpiq at 5 pm as directed. I was so, so surprised that I could drink it so easily. It wasn’t yummy, but it was sweet, and I drank it quickly. It worked great. No nausea, no pain, just worked. I only had one trip that I had to race to the bathroom and sort of dripped as I waited too long. Not to be gross, but it felt like I was peeing from my butt. I woke up at 7 am the next morning. I took the second bottle with ease again. Not as much in my system to get out. I had no trips to the bathroom during the night and slept well. I feared I’d be hungry, as the week before, I ate a lot on vacation. I was not famished at all. The worst part of my prep was that I had broth for lunch the day before."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "Followed instructions explicitly as I’ve had trouble in the past due to hemorrhoids, pain, and bleeding. I was assured this would be more gentle. WRONG. Cost $60 with insurance. Took 2 bottles, 1 at 4 pm and the second at 10. Was up till 3 am and had an 8 am test. I have read where others have had quite an easier time, but not me. I was given a steroid rectal cream to ease the pain, but it did not help. The prep did clean me out but had a terrible headache, nausea, bleeding, rectal pain like glass, and explosive episodes. Thank goodness I don’t have to repeat this anytime soon. Two days post-colonoscopy and still nauseous, poor appetite, and bloated. Could be effects of air from colonoscopy, but as this was my 3rd colonoscopy, I don’t remember feeling this ill 2 days post-test. Will not use this again. Rating it 1 due to the terrible side effects even if it did clean me out."

• Aim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This is 3rd colonoscopy, first time using Clenpiq. Prior colonoscopies, I used the Miralax prep. This was definitely a lot easier, way less nausea. But I did experience a wicked migraine from it. I started the prep, 1st bottle at 5 PM with five 8-ounce glasses of water over a four-hour period. Very sweet/salty. Definitely chased with water. Took about 45 minutes to kick in. Less time on the toilet compared to Miralax. Started 2nd dose at 2 AM. Only drank half the bottle, with three 8-ounce glasses of water, because I knew I was cleaned out. So aside from the migraine, this prep was a lot easier. Colonoscopy was a success. Doctor commented on how clean I was."

• Cro...
• July 12, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I just had my colonoscopy today, after having prepped with Clenpiq yesterday. This is my 5th colonoscopy (I have them yearly due to Crohn's). I have to say this was the best prep yet. It didn’t taste great, but since you have to drink only 2 ready-to-drink 5.5 oz bottles (refrigerated), it doesn’t matter. I was worried to use this after reading the reviews because I tend to get a little nauseous during/after prep, but my doctor always prescribes a Reglan (anti-nausea) pill to be taken 1/2 hour before each bottle of prep, and I was fine. Also, I felt less weak and shaky in the morning. The key is drinking enough liquids (I had a total of 140 oz, which was actually less than the 156 my instructions suggested, but I can only drink so much). My prep included 48 oz of clear liquids “with sugar.” The rest was flavored water. I was concerned this prep might not do as good a job, mainly because I was feeling better than usual, but my doctor said it was great. I will definitely use it again."

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Aside from the out-of-pocket cost ($130.00 for me), I would recommend this drug. It was effective in cleaning out my colon without having to drink copious amounts of fluid. I chose the orange flavor, and it reminded me of powdered Tang orange juice - not unpleasant at all. Better chilled if possible. I followed the split-dose regimen. It took about 90 minutes for the first dose to start working, but the process lasted about 2 hours. I did experience a slight, passing feeling of nausea at first, but it subsided once things got moving. The second dose, the next morning, took about the same amount of time to work, but the process only lasted about an hour. My physician reported that colon prep was 'excellent.'"

• 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!"

• Jay...
• July 20, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "My first colonoscopy. Easy-to-read bullet points: - Not nearly as bad as I expected it to be. - Taste is very sweet: not terrible. The two servings are easy to get through. - I have emetophobia (scared of vomiting), so I took a Dramamine 1 hour before each dose. I think this (+ staying hydrated) helped. - Didn’t bother leaving the toilet for 3 hours after both doses. The first bowel movements started about 1 hour after the 1st dose, sooner after the 2nd. Was up a few times through the night too. - Mild nausea after the first dose, it went away. Bad bloating after both doses, mostly went away after BMs started. Mild off-and-on headache. - Worst side effect by far is the booty pain. Two words: Liquid fire. Not even aloe wipes stood up to the raw pain, but they helped a little. - I put a step stool in front of the toilet to use as a Squatty Potty, and it helped a lot, highly recommend. 8/10: Overall easy process, about as pleasant as possible, but the taste isn’t great, and the few side effects weren’t fun."