Polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes for Bowel Preparation User Reviews (Page 3)

• chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2019

"I read the reviews here and was prepared for a real horror story. It's nowhere near as bad as people make out! I never tried the unadulterated flavor, but mixed in one part sugar-free orange squash to four parts water, and it was fine. Not something I'd be gagging to drink every day, but certainly no worse than a vitamin C fizzer or rehydration salts. The relentless butt fountain does get a little wearing and wasn't as satisfying a sensation as I thought it might be, but true to the literature, it really only lasts a couple of hours – and it was never so furious that I got caught short. Smells diabolical, though that might be the results of the low-residue diet. I found three days of having to eat white bread and pasta and zero vegetables much more arduous than necking down a liter of MoviPrep."

• Lit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2019

"Second time for colonoscopy, first time used Kleen Prep!!! MoviPrep so much better, not too bad taste-wise, but volume always a problem. Took first dose at 5:00 pm, started to gurgle by 6:30, then next at 8:30 pm, probably visited the loo 15 times, then slept for 2 hours, and it all kicked off again, stayed up the rest of the night. Where does it all come from? Seems a lot more came out than went in, all water after first dose, so seems to have worked, but still going after 11 hours. Hope it stops before I set off on my journey to the hospital or big trouble!! But not to be feared, and after all, it is to potentially save your life."

• Ano...
• February 26, 2020

"I had GoLYTELY split prep (1/2 night before, remaining, morning of). I mixed it with lemonade mix, and it wasn't bad. The evening was fine. I followed the directions, and all went well. I had prepared days in advance with very light foods and lots of fluids. Within 4 hours, all discharge was completely clear. Went to sleep and woke up an hour later with an excruciating headache, vomiting, trembling, and chills. This went on all night. Could not complete the morning prep at all as my stomach lurched when I touched the jug! Still vomiting a bit and headache when I arrived for the procedure. That went fine, but now I am 12 hours post-procedure, still have a slight headache and a very nauseous stomach. How long do the effects of this remain? Time will tell, I suppose. Take a hard pass on this prep, folks! There are much less severe options available."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2013

"This is by far the easiest prep I’ve used. Yes, it smells and tastes awful, but you can overcome that somewhat by mixing ahead and chilling the mixture, using a straw, and chasing with a sip of whatever tastes good to you. Stand and walk a bit while you drink-it helps get things moving and dispels the bloated feeling. The prep started working in 50 minutes both evening and morning, and worked thoroughly. The duration of action was 4 hours after the evening dose, 2 hours after the morning. No nausea, very little cramping, and not much soreness. I was able to have the procedure done and didn't have much trouble getting back to normal. I would use this again when necessary."

• Tiz...
• June 19, 2021

"No one reading this review will be more frightened than I was at having to take MoviPrep - I had to take it yesterday in a state of blind panic, but I survived. I kept to a virtual liquid diet for 36 hours before prep. Poured the prep into 250 ml bottles and chilled. Used a metal straw, alternating 3 gulps of prep and gulps of ginger ale, cutting through the cloying sweetness of the prep, which was like seltzer with a heavy lemon taste. Not nice, but can be swallowed easily if you distract yourself like I did watching TV. It really was drinkable. Only a little bloating, no cramps, a little nausea maybe gulping too quickly. Just felt very cold after sitting on the loo for hours. When the prep started to work, it was gentle, no 'power wash,' just a trickle and the odd whoosh. Managed to get to bed, got up a few times through the night. Morning doses dreaded, but had very little problem. Crucially, it did the job. The worst part, without a doubt, was the worry and fear before the prep."

• Cha...
• April 9, 2015

"I was given MoviPrep to prepare my bowel for a colonoscopy. It doesn't taste great. It's quite thick too, a bit like olive oil. I didn't find it too bad. I didn't mix anything with it so if you can't stand it, that may help. I had 2 liters to drink within 24 hrs, drinking lots of water in between. It worked very quickly. You'll know you're clear when you're just passing yellow/clear liquid. The worst thing for me was the hunger & I did get sore from 'going' so much. Petroleum jelly on the area helps. The prep worked as I was awake for my colonoscopy & could see on the screen how clean my insides were. It's not a pleasant experience, but MoviPrep does the job. My procedure was yesterday & I've had no aftereffects. Good luck with yours :)"

• Gla...
• June 19, 2019

"I had this for a same-day prep. Appointment at 2 p.m. The leaflet said to take at 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. As I was planning to drive, I asked if I could take it earlier. Yes. I went for 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. I'm glad I did. The solution isn't pleasant, it's like a concentrated diet drink with salt. But it is drinkable. Rather than panic with your thoughts and say, 'Oh my God, this is awful, I'm going to be sick'...instead calmly sip through a straw. I was told to drink it over an hour. I sipped a bit every 5 minutes. At 5:15, cascades, probably 12 over an hour. Then I slept and woke for the alarm at 7 a.m. The solution made me feel a bit nauseous, so I sipped slowly and left bigger gaps, taking it over 1.5 hours. By 8 a.m., again, cascades. A bottle of water in the loo with me, and I was making sure I drank after each one. I felt wobbly but again kept drinking. Everything finished by 12:00. The main thing is to take it slowly, try and be calm, and drink lots of extra fluids. So good luck with yours."

• TC-...
• January 18, 2020

"I was given my first colonoscopy yesterday. The prep was with Plenvu and I took my first dose at 7 pm as instructed. Not sure why they call it a 'Mango' flavor because it was nothing close to a Mango taste. Honestly, it is the worst thing that I've ever tasted. However, the 2nd dose at 6 am with a Fruit Punch flavor was actually pleasant tasting. Now with the results after the first dose. I've read some posts where folks were saying that they didn't have the urge to go the first night. So after taking the first dose (as they said, slowly and consume all within 30 minutes), I took my 2 dogs for a walk around the block. Sure enough, when arriving home, my colon was telling me to go potty. Worked like a charm. Took the 2nd dose at 6 am and finished it at 6:30 am. The good news is that the results of my colonoscopy were great and they don't need to see me for 10 years. I just hope at that time, they have a different flavor than Mango."

• lrw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2023

"This was my second colonoscopy, and my first prep, while unpleasant, was not nearly as awful as Plenvu. I don't remember what my previous doctor had me take, but it was nothing like this one!! As others have said, the taste (disgusting combo of salty and sickly sweet), viscosity, and the feeling of bloated fullness and nausea after was bad enough on the first dose. It took me 45 min to force myself to drink the second dose at midnight. No sleep that night!! I was desperately thirsty by the morning, in spite of drinking multiple glasses of water up until 3:30 am, which was when I had to stop before the procedure. After the procedure, I felt sick all day, and by evening felt like I had the flu with chills and body aches and no appetite. My guts were churning for 3 days after the procedure as well. I will never take Plenv again. There are so many better options, including a pill form. It's unbelievable that this 'stuff' is still prescribed by physicians!! Insist on an alternative."

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

"The GaviLyte-G worked well for before my procedure. My first poop came shortly after my third dose. As far as the taste people complain about, the secret for a decent taste is to mix it well. After adding the flavor pack, SHAKE...SHAKE...SHAKE. Then add some water, shake the jug up. Add some more water, shake it up again. Repeat until filled. Before pouring it out to drink, move the jug around some."

• ROB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

"Be prepared! It can hit like a tsunami! Try to be as close to the bathroom while waiting, put a thick towel down wherever you plan to be sitting, leave the bathroom door open and the light on, have soft TP available or wet wipes, and if possible, apply a protective barrier cream to your butt before it all starts. Remember, when Mother Nature calls, don't ignore the warning signs and get to the bathroom. I started the second dose several hours earlier to make sure it was done with me. Don't expect to get much sleep the night before the colonoscopy. I found the colonoscopy itself much easier than the prep."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2017

"I wouldn't normally review this type of thing, but I had read every horror story on the internet before I took it. It didn't taste 'good,' and everyone is different, but it was nowhere near as awful as I expected. This is not medical advice, but as other people have suggested: 1. Chill it so it's cold when you drink it 2. Use a straw 3. As per my doctor, I rinsed my mouth between glasses with ginger ale 4. Based on what I'd read, I ate a low-residue diet for the 4 days before (toast, bananas, jello, yogurt, applesauce) and was done with the process in 3 hours. 5. Do some stretches to move your stomach around. My problem turned out to be revealed through the endoscopy, not colonoscopy. But this wasn't among my top 25 worst experiences in life."

• Eng...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2016

"My colonoscopy was booked in for late afternoon on a Thursday. The hospital said to stop eating anything from 1 pm on the Wednesday and recommended (giving some detail) a non-fiber diet from Tuesday evening until Wednesday noon - avoiding dark drinks and jelly (like blackcurrant flavor). Avoid red meat, sausages, and pies; fruit, vegetables, and salad; potato skins or fries, wholemeal or brown bread; nuts, pulses, baked beans; wholemeal pasta, brown rice; puddings containing fruit or nuts; cakes and biscuits, yogurts. Preferred are white skinless meats like chicken, grilled or poached fish, cheese, eggs; white bread, pasta, rice; boiled or mashed potatoes, water, fizzy drinks, fruit squash (not blackcurrant), clear soups, tea or coffee, shredless marmalade or jam, ice cream, custard, clear jelly, butter, margarine. The hospital also instructed me to start taking MoviPrep, one packet (A + B) at 7 pm Wednesday evening; and then another packet (A + B) starting from 6 am Thursday. On each occasion, I was told to drink the mixture at 250 ml a time over 1 to 2 hours. On each occasion, I was also to take 500 ml of clear water AND to take some sugary drinks to maintain blood sugar levels – non-diet carbonated drinks i.e., Coca-Cola, Lucozade, or ginger ale, any other clear sugary fluids such as clear apple juice (but NOT other fruit juices); water alone not being sufficient. A spoonful of honey is suggested if sugary drinks are not liked. On Wednesday evening I mixed the two MoviPrep packets (A + B) with 1 liter of water in a large jug. It tasted mildly of lemon but, because of warnings about taste, I downed each 250 ml in seconds (rather than sip it) so as not to have to agonize over the taste. Starting at 7 am the fourth dose was finished at 8 pm. The drug started having an effect at about 7:45 pm and thereafter it was a matter of getting to the lavatory frequently and quickly for about 3 to 4 hours. I went to bed at midnight but had to get up again at 2 am and two more occasions up to 4 am; though not in so much of a hurry. I took the 500 ml of water after the final dose and about 250 ml of Lucozade after that. I was also told to use, what we in the UK, call Vaseline to prevent soreness of skin on the buttocks. This I did not do but regretted it. Just before midnight I was so sore that I did apply some Vaseline ready for Thursday morning and it paid dividends. On Thursday morning I went through the same procedure again applying the Vaseline again before starting. This time the emissions were yellow and eventually pretty clear. Also, the emissions pretty much (though not entirely) finished by 8 am, much quicker than the night before. I can only assume there was nothing left to eject. All in all, it was not a pleasant chore but a fair price to pay to get the job done."

• Ann...
• April 9, 2015

"Absolutely fine stuff. It doesn't need anything added to it. I put ice cubes in it and chugged it right down and sipped on it, and frankly, it was almost good. Definitely not gag-worthy, and if Crystal Light were to be included, it would be disgusting. It tastes like lemonade. I really don't think most people need the second day. I took it this morning but only half, and let's just say I know what the toilet should look like, and it's practically clear. By the way, I made turkey broth from scratch and drank that, and tea, as well as white wine after dinner. (Hey, that's a clear juice drink!) So don't let people scare you. A nation of wusses, I say."

• Fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2020

"This product, GoLYTELY, tasted exactly like drinking ocean water, a sickening experience. It seems there has to be a way for the manufacturer to neutralize the salt and give this product a palatable taste. I did mix it with ice, water, and Crystal Light lemonade, making it tolerable, but that increased 1 gal to approx 1.5 gal. I cannot consume 1 gal in 7-8 hrs, let alone half again as much. Surely there must be plans to stop torturing patients. I have not met anyone who could stand this stuff, and it seems that the proscribers have never bothered to taste it."

• She...
• May 28, 2020

"There is only one word for this bowel preparation: NASTY. Please listen to the reviews. I have had three colonoscopies and never have I been in so much pain. I actually felt like my stomach would explode, and the cramps were unbelievable. I contemplated going to the ED and called the hospital. After a few hours on the toilet, it has settled a little. I am probably NOT going to take the second dose and postpone. This stuff might be successful for some, but it shouldn't be this bad for others."

• DW ...
• February 24, 2020

"Plenvu presented no problems, other than the taste. Bud Light would be better. I had a subsequent midday appointment, so took the first dose at 6 pm in the evening. Pretty well cleaned me out within 2 hours, so went to sleep for the night with no accidents. Took the final dose at 6 am, and that completely cleared me out within 30 minutes. The consultant was impressed with the clarity of my entire colon. Good result. As I say, for me, the only thing was the mango extra sweet taste. I’ll try the straw next time."

• Aar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2024

"Much more tolerable than Suprep I took 10 years ago. High volume, but it tasted okay. Kind of like salty flat lemon-lime soda. Thicker than water. Started working in about 1.5 hours. No gagging. No cramps. A much better option!"

• mar...
• March 20, 2019

"I'm a fit, healthy 81-year-old who has had four colonoscopies with no problems on Glycoprep. At the pre-procedure appointment, told Plenvu was better. I religiously followed the prep instructions. Commenced Dose 1 at 6 pm, by 8/8:30 pm my bowels worked. Started to vomit and shake, drank more liquids. Rang the after-hours doctor. Later called an ambulance, vomiting and shaking continued. About 1 am rang after-hours doctor again. By 2:30 am, still vomiting, hot and shaking. Was driven to the hospital, then a 2-hour wait. Then had a seizure in the waiting room. The next 28 hours are a blank. My family reported a distressing day in emergency with me in an agitated state, sometimes needing two to hold me down. I remained there for four days in the hospital. It was clear that the Plenvu prep had brought on excessive vomiting (5 hours), leading to serious depletion of sodium and electrolytes, etc. In summary, I'm lucky to be alive, my car license gone (due to the seizure), and I still need a colonoscopy. I won't be using Plenvu. Any readers of this review, be warned."

• tje...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2019

"I read all of the negative reviews on Plenvu and got a little nervous and called my doctor to try and get something like Suprep. They weren't able to change, but I am so glad they didn't get me something else. I don't know what Suprep tastes like, but I heard it's not good. Plenvu kit had 2 packets. The first was mango (16 oz), which tasted like salt water mango, but better than the gross tasting stuff from others. I drank another 16 oz at 5 and had cleanout start around 6:30 pm. Then the 2nd packet(s) was tropical fruit flavor salt water. Still very tolerable. I was very full after both. I took the 2nd packet at 3 am and basically had complete clean out by 4:30 am, but still having movements up to 6 am (had to leave the house by 6:30 am). But everything was clear, so not worried when I went to the procedure. I'm glad I ignored the reviews. I'm 51 and would easily take this again."

• Rog...
• February 6, 2020

"I read many comments about GaviLyte-C. Quite honestly, I was very apprehensive. After mixing the lemon crystal and water in the morning, I waited anxiously until 4 pm to start the process. The last time I had a colonoscopy, I was given Movi-Prep. I was so sorry to hear it was off the market. It cost $80, but worked great. Now I was being given GaviLyte-C, which cost $11. I was thinking this must be a third-rate prep solution. I started taking my first gulp, and then I chugged it right down. I was flabbergasted. It couldn't be any easier or more pleasant. I took it every 15 minutes, then exactly an hour later I was off to the bathroom. Do not be afraid of this prep solution. It just had a slight salty taste. I can't wait until my next colonoscopy."

• Ano...
• February 10, 2020

"I give this a 3 because it worked, but at what cost? I essentially gave myself a case of stomach flu for 12 hrs. Strangely, I became very cold after each dose, which the nurse told me is very common. I thought I might get a chance to sleep an hour here or there, but absolutely not. I was still hitting the toilet after arriving at the hospital for my appointment (multiple times). The nausea and dehydration were intense, as I was told not to have any more fluids 4 hrs before the appointment. I see plenty of people have described the taste accurately, so I'll simply say that it takes an iron will to keep it down. Everyone else I've talked to has had great luck with the Miralax & Dulcolax combo. Much cheaper, effective, and better tasting. Why use Plenvu at all?"

• EDa...
• December 7, 2019

"I had to take 2 1L doses of MoviPrep Orange to prepare for my first colonoscopy. I was very nervous about it, but it really wasn’t that bad. The MoviPrep tasted like salt water with an orange flavor, and the bowel movements were quite gentle. I started my first dose at 6:00 pm, and my second dose was at 10:00 pm. They both took 2-2.5 hours to complete (rather than the recommended hour) because of toilet trips and indigestion (which I was already prone to). The second dose was much more tolerable because we refrigerated the mix between glasses and stirred it so that the salt didn’t gather at the bottom. I had frequent bowel movements from 6:30 pm to 2:00 am, and they were starting to come through clear just after I began the second dose. It was half-hourly to hourly after 2:00 am, up until I went into the procedure room at about 8:20 am. I recommend keeping the mixture chilled and stirred, and wash it down with something else if you need to - I chose apple juice. Good luck."

• mou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2021

"Beware! The first dose wasn't too terrible to get down at 5 pm. By 5 am, when I woke to start the second dose, I had a terrible headache that I thought was sinus. It only got worse from there. I started drinking the dose and kept feeling worse: headache, nausea, weakness, cramps. After about 1/4 of the dose, I became violently ill, which only intensified the bad side effects. By 6 am, my husband got my neighbor, a trauma surgeon, to come over and check in on me. She suggested the emergency room. I was happy to go, my symptoms and weakness were scaring me. I'm 65, but I've had several colonoscopies and not gone off the rails like this, and I'm super fit and an avid mountain biker. It took about 4 days before I felt strong and normal. The worst part is, I still have to get a colonoscopy! I won't use Plenvu, but I'm still terrified!"

• Mil...
• May 1, 2019

"Bowel prep: first attempted Pico Prep; vomited 6 hours. Then... Plenvu. Taken at 7 pm. By 7:15, I was off to the toilet. Very quick and very frequent bowel evacuation. But by 10:30, I was in bed. Second dose (2nd dose tastes better) at 4 am. Slight nausea. Bowel evacuations till 7. Slept lightly between, ready to pounce for the toilet (lol). So although very dehydrating, it did the job quickly, which I found better. Doc said my bowel was VERY clean. He removed a flat polyp; for me, a huge relief- increased risk of bowel cancer as Nan, uncle (died), and Mom had bowel cancer (died) at 43. So although my and my siblings' risk is now increased again, Plenvu’s great bowel cleaning and a great doc have saved me from this flat polyp turning. Highly recommend. Remember all bowel prep is ‘shitty;’ it’s not about the prep... it’s about the saving of your life."