Magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate for Bowel Preparation User Reviews

• Worked...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I was prescribed Sutab for my first colonoscopy. I had never heard of it so I did my research to find out more. It certainly sounded like a wonderful alternative to drinking vast amounts of nasty tasting liquid. But - The reviews were horrifying! After reading so many bad reviews, I was ready to call the doctor and changed to a different prep, but then I realized that nobody really writes reviews for drugs unless they have a bad experience. So I wanted to reassure others like me that are researching this kind of prep - It was a piece of cake! While reading the few good reviews, I noticed that they all had a few things in common: Patients were well hydrated days prior to starting the prep, they ate a low residue diet 2-3 days before the prep, they lubed up their bottoms to protect the skin! Do that, and you'll be good!"

• Calgrrl
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "4th colonoscopy, 3rd variation and best prep so far. I was worried after reading all the negative reviews and feel for those with a bad experience but my own couldn't have gone more smoothly. They key is PRE PREP! Ate a low residue NO meat diet for 3 days prior, and a full liquid only whole day of prep. I hydrated 8 oz of water, mint tea, and gatorade as often as possible for 48 hours prior. Also I took a zofran anti nausea pill 1 hour pre-prep (have seen that half a dramamine helps too). Spaced the 12 pills out 1 pill every 2 1/2 minutes with 16 oz water & 32 oz water an hour later. It is a lot, so stay active by pacing, taking small walks in the yard etc. Within 90 min of the first pill I was going. Sipped mint tea & gatorade till bedtime. Repeat steps (another zofran too) in the AM with cramping and slight waves of nausea. All in all a thumbs up for clear successful colonoscopy. Key is to prepare and hydrate ahead of time, stay calm and dont rush the pills & water. Good luck!"

• Never...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "Took the first part of the prep as directed and felt bloated and nauseous. Took 3 hours to move my bowels then the next 9 hours I spent either on the commode, running to try to get to the commode in time, sitting on the commode for hours at a time to be safe or pooping on myself or standing in the shower cleaning myself off and cleaning up poop. I have NEVER had an experience like this in my entire 62 years of life! I regretfully took the second dose as directed and immediately began to forcefully vomit yellow bile all while shooting liquid poop out. 12 plus hours of the worst experience of my life and a raw swollen anus that burns like fire just from the excessive amount out pooping. I swear I pooped out food that I digested as a toddler! NEVER USING THIS PREP AGAIN AND POSSIBLY NEVER GETTING ANOTHER COLONOSCOPY AGAIN BECAUSE OF IT!!!"

• SherylR
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "My husband was prescribed this medication for his colonoscopy. He had a very good experience with it. He followed the directions exactly. He took the 12 pills at 5pm followed by the water as required. Nothing happened until 2 1/2 hours later. And then it began. There was no frantic urgency like with the liquid prep. It seemed calm and complete. He took the other 12 pills at 530am and completed it perfectly. Zero side effects. What a difference. I've had to use the liquid prep and it's miserable for me. The pills seem so much better. I understand everyone's experience will be different. But you'll never know unless you try it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I was careful to follow the directions that were provided by my doctor to the letter. This was my 4th colonoscopy over a course of several decades and it was by far the best in terms of prep. For me much better than the liquid preps that I’ve used previously. The tablet size might be a problem for someone with significant swallowing issues, but the tablets themselves are tasteless and I was able to choose the clear liquid that was most appealing to me. The prep produced results in the first hour, and worked well. By the time I took dose #2, which worked just as quickly as dose #1, it was mostly just cloudy and watery. So happy to have an alternative to the awful tasting preps I’ve endured in the past. All pros and no cons from this patient!"

• VNH
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "First colonoscopy. Followed doctor's instructions exactly (which required getting up at 3 in the morning before the procedure, ugh). I began eating low-fiber, low-residue foods three days prior and absolutely stuck to it (eggs, cottage cheese, gatorade, broth, and Ensure). I hydrated like nobody's business with both pedialyte and gatorade. I consumed only clear liquids the day before. I didn't experience any cramping or vomiting whatsoever. My Dr. said my prep was excellent and he could see everything. Thank god I don't have to do this for another 10 years, but I wouldn't hesitate to use Sutab again."

• Tracy
• April 13, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I wish I would have found this page prior to my doing this. NEVER AGAIN. I couldn’t take the “go-lytely” years ago so was happy to hear of a tablet prep. I started the night before. During the day I had toast and chicken broth and jello for lunch. Kept hydrated. Drank 150 oz prior to prep. Took the tablets and had one bowel movement an hour later. Another hour later but had lots of noises from my stomach. Today, I woke up at 5 am and started taking the second dose 15 minutes later I started throwing up. Kept trying to get the tablets down but they all came up. I was throwing up yellow bile for the next few hours. My son had to pull over twice on the way to my procedure for me to throw up in the car. Got to the procedure had a nice nap and was woken up to say they couldn’t do it. (I had warned them that I didn’t think it would work). 12 hours later I’ve had Sprite and iced tea to drink and about 10 saltines. I still feel lousy and sick."

• Chris...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2021

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I began eating light meals (soup, eggs, etc) and drinking a lot of water a few days before I took the sutab pills. After I took my first 12 pills with 16 Oz at 7 pm and 1 hr later 32 Oz. It took 1 1/2 hr for me to start going. I ran a hot bath and relax in between episodes. It wasn’t bad at all. Maybe a hour later I was done. The next morning I took remaining 12 pills with all water and it was mostly water. I ran hot bath and again relax in between. I waited maybe a hour until my bowels were empty. No soreness. I did use flushable wipes each time. The tablets are tasteless and drinking 3- 16 Oz water each time wasn’t a problem. I recommend these pills."

• Easiest...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "This was my 4th colonoscopy prep and by far the easiest. I drank all the recommended water/liquids with the prep and did not experience any nausea or cramping. You do have to drink a lot: recommended 8oz an hour for the 2 days before the procedure. In the evening before the procedure you drink 6 16 oz glasses along with taking the pills over a 5 1/2 hour period (along with many bathroom visits). I found that eating soft foods for a couple days before the prep, then the liquids only the day before the procedure made the prep much more comfortable. It really wasn’t bad."

• Satis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "Began the first treatment at 6pm the night before. Followed the instructions and within 30 minutes I began relieving myself. Continued to drink water over the next few hours, and continued discharging. By bedtime, I was able to sleep and only got up once during the night. Took the second dose early in the morning and continued discharging as expected. No cramps, nausea, or accidents. Fairly easy to use and go through the process. Will definitely choose this option again."

• bnoof
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "Oh hell no. My wife is lying on the bathroom floor writhing in pain. Forget about taking the second dose. She's done. No way we're having the colonoscopy tomorrow; not this way. Rating this a 2, because I know some tallying software throws out the 1 votes."

• ELP
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2024

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I read all the negative reviews and was scared to take Sutab, but it turned out great for me. First, I spent 3 days on a low-residue diet which I think really helps the prep. On prep day, I took an anti-nausea medication one hour before I started taking the pills at 3:30 pm. I took the 12 pills 3 minutes apart, which I think helped me avoid unpleasant side effects. On the 12th pill, my evacuation began. I had no pain, cramps, or nausea. I just parked myself on the toilet and watched Netflix on my laptop. By 8 pm, that first prep was complete. At 9:30 pm, I started the second prep because my appointment was at 6 am, and I wanted to make sure I got a little sleep. I took another anti-nausea pill, then the 12 pills 3 minutes apart like before. I was done evacuating at midnight and went to sleep. I woke at 4:45 to get ready, and had a couple more liquid bowel movements, went to the surgery center, fully cleaned. Wonderful experience. Would do it again."

• dirk
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "The first time I had a colonoscopy and used the Sutab prep. It seems to work as prescribed. After the procedure was told I was not completely cleaned out and still had fecal matter on the walls. I did not eat anything for 39 hrs except for clear liquids. Was told by the staff that sometimes it just does not work for some people. I hear that the liquid is just nasty. I rather suffer for a day or two than take that. Have to reschedule for another procedure. Wish I knew all this before I wasted a vacation day and the weekend trying to do the right thing. Take this as you will do what is right for you this is just my review."

• DenverD
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I had a colonoscopy March 8, 2023 and the prep was SuTab. I followed all the instructions perfectly. Although the bowel prep was deemed “good” by the GI doc, NEVER again will I go near SuTab. I suffered from extreme abdominal pain, nausea, explosive diarrhea for 10 hours. I’m one day post procedure I am still feel sick, nauseated and overall terrible. This product needs to be withdrawn from the market. It was absolute torture, cruel and abusive doing this prep. I’m a big, strong woman and it literally brought me to my knees. I feel like I’m going to have PTSD from this experience."

• Erin
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I’ve gone through two colonoscopies at this stage of my life. First was with the liquid prep which made me nauseous and feeling pretty unpleasant. I almost rescheduled my recent procedure due to all the poor reviews of the Sutab pill prep and feeling very anxious about this method. I’m happy to report that my experience was very positive in comparison. The pills weren’t difficult to take and didn’t cause any nausea. I was able to sleep in between doses. I would chose this method again for any future colonoscopies."

• Jen
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "Never again. My heart rate dropped into the 40s, palpitations for hours and sporadic, full body muscle jerking. They should check labs (CMP) before giving this medication. The GI symptoms were tolerable, but the cardiac side effects were scary. Stick with dulcolax and miralax."

• Andrea
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I followed directions and immediately after 1st dose it definitely worked. I was not stop in the restroom. I couldn’t even sip water. It was horrible! By the next day I was so scared to take 2nd dose cause I couldn’t even keep in water. Took my 2nd dose day of procedure and immediately after that I got intense abdominal pain and was vomiting bile up. No matter how much water I drank I was so dehydrated. I thought I was going to faint. Procedure ended up going well but now I’m on day 4 after procedure still having diarrhea and not being able to really eat cause I get bad stomach pain and diarrhea. On day 3 the pain was so bad it woke me up from deep sleep and sent me to ER. All tests came back negative for anything serious but here I am still in pain with trouble eating/drinking and diarrhea. And yes I’m following up with GI. Did not have this pain and diarrhea before and I would never take again or recommend to anyone"

• Worked...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I was nervous to use this after reading negative reviews, so I wanted to leave a positive one. This works great for me with no side effects! Here’s what I did: pre-cleansed for three days before bowel prep by eating low-residue soup and veggie juice and took magnesium at night for better bowel movements. On prep day, I drank chicken bone broth and ate homemade jello from beef gelatin. I didn’t get hungry! I made sure I had this in my belly before taking all the pills. This part is key! I took the pills over 30 minutes with a couple sips of water per pill. I stayed very hydrated with electrolyte water and coconut water. It worked within one hour and was very easy. No nausea or cramps! It was just watery stool for about two hours. I stayed on the toilet and used a squirt bottle for a bidet. By the end of both times, my stool was clear yellow!"

• June
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "The Sutab did not work very well at cleaning me out. The first 12 pills taken individually with sips of water starting at 5pm did not cause anything to happen until 7 hours later at Midnight. Then it was a very minimal 2 times. I then went to bed. Next morning starting at 8 am I took the last 12 pills individually with sips of water. I went to the bathroom maybe a total of 20 times or thereabouts and thought I was cleared out with yellow water now coming out. But my Gastroenterologist said the Bowl Prep was poor after my exam. I had stopped eating solids for the previous 26 hours of exam. I had stopped everything 4 hours prior to the exam as instructed. Exam was not a complete success since stool was still inside me. I have had multiple Colonoscopies in my lifetime and this is the first time I did not completely clean out. Note I did not have any bad side effects or any discomfort taking Sutab. It just did not completely work at cleaning me out."

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "When I took the first bottle of 12 pills I immediately felt nauseated. 1 hr later I was violently vomiting. I ended up running back and forth to the bathroom for 4 hrs. I stopped the prep, could not drink anything and felt extremely sick the rest of the night and next morning. My bottom was extremely sore. I cancelled my colonoscopy and will not reschedule one. Worst experience with a drug in my life. 2 weeks later and my stools are still messed up."

• JayJ
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2024

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "My son has to have frequent colonoscopies due to high cancer risk (he has Ulcerative Colitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis). SuTab has been the easiest and best bowel prep for him. It’s highly effective and he’s not forced to drink massive amounts of nasty-tasting liquid. As others have advised, follow a low-residue diet for several days prior and stay very well hydrated."

• Jrwelle
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "Not a walk in the park but better than the liquids. First off, ate a very low residue, no dairy or meat diet for 48 hours prior to prep day (also hydrated with water and gatorade the days before.) As many here suggested, asked Dr for Zofran (anti-nausea), it was definitely needed in my case. About an hour after finishing 1st dose of 12 pills I was running to bathroom (while working on 32 oz of water!). Little cramping or nausea. But the 2nd 12 pills were HARD to get thru. All the sulfate rises up and causes an extreme salty taste and saliva buildup. I admit I only made it thru 22 of total 24 pill dose. I couldn't risk throwing up all the pills I had taken when I was so close to the end. Paced around a bit & small sips of water until the salty taste and nausea subsided (15 min). That said, the prep was good and it did the trick. Slept pretty well and was clear for morning exam. A strange experience but not entirely horrible either. Best of luck to all who try this."

• JAO
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2023

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "Most God-awful experience ever. Read all reviews, my doctor never heard of a bad reaction, so I tried it. Super hydrated and fasted. I took the first 12 pills at 5 pm and threw up at 6 pm (mostly water), sweating, cramps, nausea, and no poop. Then the second 8 pills at 10 pm (the last 4 pills would have literally killed me) and I had profuse sweating, violent, unrelenting vomiting into dry heaving while having first solid stool, then projectile diarrhea and excruciating cramps so bad I couldn't breathe. I lay on the bathroom floor to get cool and relieve pain, but it was impossible—sweat puddles for hours alone (bad idea). A friend begged to come get me and take me to ER, but immobilized from pain I couldn't open the door for her or an ambulance. Barely made it to bed b/c so weak and dizzy from trauma to my body. Left five messages for my doctor thru the night that he mysteriously never received or responded to, but tried colonoscopy anyway and failed, so all for nothing and $$$. Research!!! Get water colonoscopy, do Miralax only prep"

• Waste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2022

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "Went through the prep EXACTLY as instructed...no food, clear liquids ect etc. After first Sutab batch, nothing, I wait and wait and wait. Like 7 hours in things happened, but not enough, and by then I was into 'Part Two' of Sutab...not much occurred anyway, some, not nearly what I expected. Needless to say, I have to redo (NOT with Sutab), and this wasted a day of prep and my procedure day (and my ride's day), so I ABSOLUTELY do not recommend this if you really want to get your colonoscopy over with."

• Todd
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2024

Sutab (magnesium sulfate / potassium chloride / sodium sulfate) "I had done some reviews and didn't want to go through the horrible liquid prep. I chose the pills. I went through the prep and was scared, but honestly, the worst part is being on the liquid diet all day. I bought Dude wipes in mint scent and used those on my frequent trips to the bathroom. The next morning, I did my second round of Sutab, and it was pretty easy. About an hour before I was supposed to leave for my prep, I developed a low-grade fever. By the time I got to the doctor's office, it was 101.2, and they were unable to do the prep. I had to reschedule for my second time, and I chose the Sutab again. I'll definitely take some pills with water over some nasty salty lemon-lime drink. I recommend Sutab for colonoscopy prep."