Suprep Bowel Prep Kit and Headaches: What Users Say

• Jef...
• December 18, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Don’t get anxiety over the whole colonoscopy and prep! I was getting a lot of anxiety after reading a lot of these posts. My experience with the Suprep wasn’t bad at all, as a matter of fact, it tasted like a margarita after following some of the suggestions in regards to adding Crystal Light. All diarrhea was non-violent, no cramps, no chills (warmed-up water bottles), no nausea, and no sweating or headaches. Prepped at 5:00, began the diarrhea at 5:50 and for the most part completed by 7:30-8:00ish. Started the 2nd prep at 9:00 and completed the water bottles by 9:30, began diarrhea at 10:00, and was completed by 12:00-12:30 and went to bed. Had colonoscopy and upper scope done at 6:30 am and next I knew I was waking up at 7:30 am in the recovery room passing gas, LOL. I just wanted to let people know that you should probably average out the comments on here so that you don’t drive yourself and your family nuts with your anxiety."

• Ple...
• June 15, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "First colonoscopy ever. This prep worked great. Yes, a bit salty, but just gulp it down and chase it with the water. No cramping, nausea, or headache. Started working in about 40 minutes. Stay close to the bathroom and get to the toilet at the hint of movement. Took about 4 hours to complete the first round. Did the second round the morning of my procedure, took it at 5 am for an 11:00 procedure. Second round was a breeze. Cleared out by 8:30 am and the doctor reported fully cleared. This prep is worth the money, and I will definitely use it again. Have no fear, folks?"

• Syn...
• October 5, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Not the best tasting stuff, but manageable. Held my breath and took it all at once. Started working on me in another 40 minutes. Did what it’s supposed to do. Expect a very raw anus, though. Second dose was a little rough. Barely gagged it down. Did not seem to be as “explosive” as the first dose. Only side effects for me are nausea and a mild headache."

• Lul...
• July 12, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "Well, just finished going through the first portion of the Suprep. I must say, it was very difficult to drink. The taste is awful. I had to put a cup with Gatorade next to the cup with the preparation, so I could drink a sip between each time that I took a drink of the Suprep. But it really has worked. I was terrorized with fear, but I haven't had any cramping or stomach ache at all, no nausea, no headache, and except for the terrible taste, the experience hasn't been bad at all. This is my first time getting ready for a colonoscopy, and I was glad I found this site before I started, it eased all of my fears by reading all the other comments. Thank you for having this site up. It helped me a lot. Hope I am able to help someone else."

• Dar...
• May 19, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "I must be a little strange because I thought Suprep was not that bad. This was my first colonoscopy, so I don't have any prior experience to compare it to. Everyone told me the prep was horrible. I took the first dose at 7 pm. Smelled and tasted like grape. I mixed with cold, cold water. Drank the first dose in less than 2 mins, followed by 2 16 oz bottles of water within 20 mins. Made 5 or so trips to the bathroom and went to sleep around 11 pm. The 2nd dose was at 4 am. I was really not looking forward to the 2nd dose. I had a slight headache, and I have to say that after I drank each dose, I got slightly chilled. But, once the pooping began, the chills and headache went away."

• Man...
• October 12, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "No big deal, people. It doesn't taste great (salted cherry comes to mind), but it certainly is not unbearable. Started at 5 pm and drank it slowly. Had first movement within 30 minutes before I even finished. Bloating and watery movements for the next few hours, about every half an hour. Definitely some bloating, but nothing awful and no headaches. Used baby wipes and A&D ointment, but didn't even need it. No soreness at all."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "Piece of cake. I stopped eating meat, poultry, and fish 2 days prior. Ate low-fiber foods the day before prep, and only liquids the day of. Placed Suprep and water in the freezer one hour before drinking. Mixed it as per instructions, and drank it all through a straw in 10 minutes flat. In between drinks, I'd swish some Powerade around to kill the aftertaste. Drank my 32 ounces of water in another 15 minutes, and waited. Didn't have to wait long! 45 minutes after the first gulp, it had arrived at the other end. Off and on the toilet, and it was over 90 minutes later. The 3am feeding produced the same results, but this time it only took 15 minutes to arrive. 1 hour later, it too had finished. No chills, nausea, or headache. Taste not that bad."

• Jay...
• June 3, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "By far the best prep yet. No headache this time, but I've learned some tricks since. First, it needs to be cold! Drink through a straw at the back of your mouth and chase with water. Took a while, but cleaned me out good. Also, sucking on a lemon after every few drinks. I have a strong gag reflex, so I had to stand over a sink and focus. I don't drink Gatorade because of food coloring, etc., but Smartwater has minerals in it, and drinking a large bottle of that helped keep the headache away. You'd think with all the water you're drinking, you wouldn't get dehydrated, but you need the electrolytes that the prep depletes."

• Squ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "This was my third colonoscopy, and first time using Suprep. For my first two, I did the Miralax + laxative prep. I was instructed to take the first dose at 4 pm the day before my procedure, then wake up at 4 am and take the 2nd dose (9:15 am procedure time). I ended up staying up late and taking the 2nd dose at 1:30 am. It tastes horrible, like salty, diluted cherry cough syrup. The saltiness was the worst. I made sure the Suprep was cold and drank it through a straw. With Suprep, there is less volume to drink, I also noticed that I had NO cramping. I did have a bad headache the night before my procedure. I couldn't finish the 2nd dose completely, but everything was coming out clear. I would recommend Suprep over other preps."

• AJa...
• February 12, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "30 y/o male. After reading the horror stories about this product, I was quite hesitant about using it myself. The taste was far from what people claim, I mixed the first 6 oz with white grape juice and the second 6 oz with ice water, which was better. The consistency is thick, which would most likely cause a problem for those with texture issues. Drank required 16 oz of water within the hour, plus a fair amount of yellow Gatorade, Mountain Dew, and Diet Coke. The prep began working within the hour, and I was in the bathroom for about 1-1.5 hours with full watery bowel movements. After that time, it began to slow down, and bowel movements only came on 1-3 times per hour. Total bowel movements on night 1 were anywhere from 20-30. Day 2 bowel movements were 7-10, but the urge to go was there, I had nothing left in my system. No cramping, bloating, headache, or vomiting. I actually felt amazing from the cleanse. In summary, pay the extra and get Suprep."

• col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "So I am a bowel prep veteran. I've unfortunately had like 12 or more, diagnosed with colitis for literally more than half my life (back in 1990), and I am almost 45. I am used to all the gross ones, and requested the HalfLytely but had no clue it was no longer on the shelves. I guess everyone is different because I just mixed my cherry-flavored Suprep with Crystal Lite lemonade, and maybe I'm weird, but I actually like it! I should have no issues getting it down. Tasty compared to others I've had, and the texture is much less slimy and sludgy. The water will be harder to down. By the way, chills and/or headaches come from your body being in shock from rapid emptying and dehydration. Very common, always happens to me halfway through."

• CAC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I definitely recommend sticking to a low-fiber, light diet a few days prior to. I also drank at least 64 oz of water before the prep too. The taste of prep honestly isn't as bad as I anticipated. I used a straw to drink it, didn't smell it, and had it all finished in under 10 minutes. It kind of tasted like flat grape soda to me. It was a bit difficult drinking the 32 oz of water in an hour after finishing the prep drink. It kicked in around the 45-minute mark for me having to go to the bathroom. No cramps, headache, and very minor rumbling in my stomach. I was pretty much all cleaned out within 2 hours after, going to the bathroom about every 30 minutes. I think my diet and hydration were what made all of this so much easier."

• its...
• July 28, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Sure, it's not a pleasant experience, but when you see a 'horrible taste' review, move on to the next, they're reality TV princesses with their best drama story and no advice. Drink it standing. In 10 minutes, it started for me and lasted 2 hours. Just try to relax on the toilet with a book or movie to help pass the time. Dab, don't wipe. Fortunately, I have very regular movements. If you don't, I suggest prep for the prep a few days ahead. Avoid 'clogging' foods and take a laxative if you need-you don't want the bloat, cramps, headaches, etc. that others complain about. I over-stressed because I got sucked into those horror reviews. I realize it's different for every body, but it's not that bad. I thank those who posted genuine tips."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "I am an 18-year-old female, and this will be my first colonoscopy. It is not hard to trigger my gag reflex, so I was a little nervous to drink Suprep. I was instructed to drink it at 7 pm, and after some gagging and nausea, I finished at 7:40 pm. I mixed it with ginger ale and drank ginger ale chasers after each sip. The taste isn't as bad as I expected, but it does taste like cough syrup and was hard for me to get down and obviously took me a while. It works incredibly fast. I had a bowel movement at 7:35 pm, before I had even finished the prep. I was surprised at how quickly it cleans you out. I was having clear bowel movements after only an hour. Suprep did give me a bad headache, but it was tolerable. Bad taste, but effective."

• Bum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Wow! This prep is so much better than Golytely prep from 8 yrs ago. 3 days prior to the procedure, started a low-residue diet - reduced amount eaten on day 2 prior - this significantly reduces output and discomfort. Only clear liquids the day prior (no light breakfast). Read Suprep reviews - poured prep out over 3 small ice cubes and used chilled water - chugged in 2 gulps (breathed through mouth between gulps - reduces taste) then immediately sucked on a sour piece of hard candy - minimizes aftertaste. Within 15 min, consumed 32 oz of room temp water - the faster this all goes in, the faster it comes out - less potty time. Same for early (3 am) prep. No nausea/vomiting, no cramping, no headache, only slight chill in the am. Absolutely best prep!"

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "My first dose went down OK in spite of the repulsive flavor. I have done other bowel preps before. The bowel cleaned out quickly, starting in 15 min. The next morning's dose caused extreme and violent vomiting after taking half the dose. I waited one hour and tried finishing the 2nd dose. Again, extreme and violent vomiting. Prior to colonoscopy, extreme nausea, headache, and faintness. After colonoscopy, extreme vomiting, dangerous low blood pressure in spite of having received 2 Zofran against nausea. Unable to eat until the following day also weakness and headache. Weakness continued until the following day. I am healthy, strong, 45 years old, a runner, and a lacto-ovo vegetarian. I was told to never use this prep again by the GI doctor."

• Mud...
• December 21, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Suprep is much better than the prep I used 6 years ago. At 6 pm, the first dose went down pretty easily. I chilled the prep in the fridge and added room temperature bottled water. Didn't want it too cold because I wanted to be able to chug it. The taste was not too bad. I drank 32 oz. water chaser within 2-3 minutes and felt pretty bloated, as expected after drinking a total of 48 oz. Within 30 minutes or so, I was 'taking the Browns to the Super Bowl.' Pretty steady for about 2 hours or so, then it tapers off. No nausea, no headache, however, I did have chills for about 1 hour. At 4 am, round two was harder to get down. Couldn't chug it like I did on the first round. It took probably 10 minutes, including the 32 oz. chaser. The second round kicks in quicker, 100% fluid. A colonoscopy is easy."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I read all sorts of horror stories, and I was terrified of this medicine and what to expect. 1) The taste didn't bother me whatsoever. I've had cough syrup that tasted so much worse. It tastes like salty cherries, and I had no problems drinking it. It was almost pleasant. I chilled it prior to drinking and drank it like a beverage (mixed with water). 2) I experienced no nausea, no headaches, no cramping, none of the horrible side effects I read about. Just a faucet butt about 15 minutes after I drank the dose that lasted intermittently for an hour. Really not that bad. The anxiety was so much worse, and really, there was nothing to stress about."

• JJS...
• November 6, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I have had UC/Crohn's for 30 years with colonoscopies every 1-3 years. This was the best prep I have ever used. The taste is acceptable, and the smaller quantity of fluids is very easy to handle. I just chugged it right down. It worked quickly-within the hour, no cramping, no chills, no headache. I used the split dose, and the only downside was getting up at 3 am because I had an early morning procedure scheduled. I will use this prep again; it was a breeze. I highly recommend it."

• Mim...
• September 10, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I had no anxiety about taking this for my colonoscopy or endoscopy. I didn’t research, nor did I read anything more than the directions. I followed them exactly. It started working within a half hour. I was fine until I woke up at 2:30 am with a massive headache so bad I had tears streaming down my face and had violent vomiting until the next afternoon. It may be a rare occurrence for something like this to happen, but I literally felt like death and wouldn’t feel right not saying something. I couldn’t drink the second bottle nor get my procedure because I slept and was vomiting so bad. My husband was so worried he wanted to take me to the hospital, but I refused because I didn’t know what was wrong. So he kept checking on me to make sure I was breathing. My body feels like it was poisoned. I don’t want to scare anyone, but feel it’s important to share my experience."

• Kit...
• July 22, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "My husband and I had 2 very different experiences. He didn't chill anything, mixed it, drank it like chugging down a beer, then immediately did the 2 additional 16 oz room temp waters. Said it tasted like cough syrup, but it wasn't too bad. It hit 1 hr later, and an hr after that, he was done. His repeat was exactly the same. His only side effect was hunger. I chilled mine, pinched my nose, and drank it all down with a straw in about 15 mins. Took a spoonful of honey then let go of my nose. Didn't taste a thing! I had trouble getting all the water down in an hour, had to switch to Gatorade. I was bloated, a little nauseous, and almost had a headache. Mine also hit an hour later, but I went 18 times in 3 hrs. 2nd round similar but better."

• Tjt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I just have to write this because what people told me seems to be right. People only come on these sites to complain. So I'm here to give a positive review. I just finished my first dose of Suprep and ran through the runs that go along with it. I did feel nausea about halfway through the dose, but it fades quickly once I started drinking slower. It kicked in in about an hour and lasted for about 2 hours. After the initial nausea passed, I had no issues whatsoever. It did its job. It didn't give me cramps or headaches. Also, the taste really isn't terrible. I'd compare it to salty Gatorade. Just don't take huge swigs of it, and you'll be fine. Overall, I'm not too nervous about my second dose. Not a terrible experience at all."

• GoW...
• November 2, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "Piece of cake. Took first bottle at 6 pm. Chugged it. Very slight gag reflex, but kept it together. I have paid more in a bar for stuff that tastes far worse. Gurgling started 15 minutes later. Bathroom after half an hour. Mostly done in 2 hours. Felt slightly feverish and had a slight headache. No problems going to bed. Set alarm for 3 am for second dose. Overslept. Took second dose at 4 am. TIP: have a water chaser. Second dose was much easier. Flow much less. Pretty much done by 6:30. The procedure was a piece of cake. I rolled over, they gave me meds, and I awoke 30 minutes later. Doctor said great results. Next one in 10 years. An hour later, I was enjoying corned beef hash, two eggs over easy, and toast."

• Aun...
• June 20, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "This was my second colonoscopy with Suprep. Here are my tips to getting through: use a straw placed at the back of the throat and a swimmer's nose clip to minimize the awful taste. I also ate a low-residue diet for a couple of days before (e.g., chicken, pasta, eggs) so as to not have a lot to clean out. The stuff worked in about 20 minutes, and I was passing clear liquid well before the second dose, which did not go down as well. I started throwing it back up after only drinking about a third of the mix. I drank about 20 ounces of the 'follow-up' water and spent the next couple of hours on the throne passing more clear liquid. Had some chills and nausea with Suprep, but thankfully no headache. Thanks to all who shared their comments!"

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "After several bouts with diverticulitis (at age 43), a colonoscopy was ordered. I've drank Barium before, and it's much worse. The taste is like overly salted salt water with aluminum, Windex, and cherry-flavored cough syrup. I recommend chilling the solution and keeping a hard candy in your mouth while sipping lemon water or Sprite. My belly was very swollen and distended and had a brutal headache. That could be from a clear liquid-only diet for the last 48 hours. Suprep started clearing out after about 30 minutes. Still waiting for the second dose at 3 a.m. Make your restroom comfy: blanket (as I had severe chills), step stool for your feet, and laptop/tablet to bide your time. I tried to get up and lay in bed, but there's no warning: stay in there."