GoLYTELY and Cramps: What Users Say

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "This was much easier than expected. First, I went on a low fiber diet two days before taking it. One day (from midnight) before the procedure, I went on a clear liquid diet with no solid food. Then, I took GL at about 6 PM. No reaction until the seventh 8-ounce glass of GL. Then it did the job it's designed to do. No pains or cramps. The solution was cold, and I got each glass down as fast as comfortably possible. Taste? I didn't notice anything bad about it and did not add any flavoring. It's like drinking a lot of water. Maybe they should have a beer flavor to make it go down even easier."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I was absolutely terrified of this GoLYTELY prep. I'm 7 glasses in, and I haven't puked, no serious cramping, and overall, it's not nearly as bad as what I was expecting. It's doing its job, and it's cleaning me out! I mixed it with powdered lemonade (heavy on the lemonade), and the taste didn't bother me at all. I drank a cup at a time, chilled, and through a straw. The worst part for me is that I'm HUNGRY!!! My procedure is at 7 a.m. in the morning, and I started my prep at noon the day before. I'll be done before 4 p.m., and then I'll just have to starve until after the procedure. I would say that the worst so far is that my anus is so sore! And I want to eat!"

• Cai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "This is my third time downing this GoLYTELY in my adult life. Twice for severe, chronic constipation via ER, and today for the GI doctor before my colonoscopy. I have tried it with sodas and Gatorade, but I can always taste the salty bitterness beneath it. This time I am chasing it down with peppermint tea, as that is a natural stomach calmer and anti-bloat. Ask your doctor if you can have anti-nausea medication alongside the prep, and do what makes you the most comfortable otherwise. Ice chips, pajamas, a bath, laying in bed with your favorite show on under your favorite blanket, a cold cloth for any potential sweating, a towel or vomit bag just in case. If you puke, take a short break before continuing. You're gonna be alright by morning, I promise. It will get the job done, even if it tastes bad or makes you cramp up."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I had the 2-day, 2-liter-a-day instructions. I weigh 120 lbs. Maybe I shouldn’t have drunk most of it. I didn’t get that instruction to stop when discharge was clear. Halfway through the second 2 liters, I started to have constant cramping pain across my stomach and back. By the time I dragged myself to the office, they made the decision to take me by wheelchair to the Emergency Room. I was admitted and given morphine. Some of my labs were slightly elevated, but all in all, I am healthy. It really was a horrible experience and embarrassing. I was an idiot in the doctor's office with all the moaning. AND they had me wait over 10 minutes before someone saw me. I’m wondering if someone had the same reaction."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "GoLYTELY is poison, it destroyed my colon and my life. I'm still suffering horribly three months after taking GoLYTELY before a colonoscopy. Had to go to the emergency room, painkillers prescribed. They still cannot diagnose what happened. Horrible cramping, still unable to exert myself without intense pain. Life has deteriorated to either lying in bed constantly or in bed. Can barely be mobile for more than 30 minutes. DO NOT TAKE, it is poison."

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "This is the nastiest tasting medicine they could give me. This is the only product they can give me because the magnesium citrate they normally want you to take was pulled from sales because of some kind of contamination in June 2022. It is now January 2023, and they tell me that the company that produces magnesium citrate, Vi-Jon LLC, was shut down and is no longer made. I refused to take this stuff because the last time I was prescribed it, I couldn't get through 1/4 of this junk, even that much gave me cramps and what felt like dry heaves of the bowels. I can't believe there is no one out there that can make a much better product. I had to clean myself out for surgery by not eating 48 hours before, only clear liquids, another laxative, and an enema. Even all that was better than this GoLYTELY crap. The cramps and pain from this stuff were the worst I've had. I was in the military the first time I took this stuff, so there was no charge for this Rx. But I will never take this again."