MoviPrep for Bowel Preparation User Reviews (Page 2)

• Frosty
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2019

"Tastes pretty awful but managed okay with a straw. It didn’t make me nauseous at all. I had to wait around an hour for the first trip to the toilet (I took the first dose at 5 PM and finished the first liter by 7 PM). The only snag was, although it tells you the trips to the toilet should finish pretty soon after you stop taking the stuff, mine went on all night! For this reason, I only downed one glass of the second liter in the morning and chucked the rest down the sink. Colonoscopy was at 1:30 PM and was done with no problem. Three cheers for our fabulous NHS (I’m in the UK) - it cost me nothing at all. I would definitely use it again. It’s not as scary as some people make out."

• tmj
• January 27, 2021

"Started my fast at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. Took the first sachet of MoviPrep at 5 p.m. as per the instructions. Tasted like bitter lemon, to be honest, or even like a sports drink, electrolytes with salt. You can flavor MoviPrep with a cordial if you don't initially like the taste, so maybe source a cordial beforehand, but not blackcurrant flavored. First bowel movement occurred at 7:10 p.m., a gentle feeling, small movement. 7:30 p.m., a large messy movement. This is where the flushable toilet wipes help immensely. This was then followed by a number of smaller bowel movements, but mostly watery. Next MoviPrep taken at 8 p.m. as per the instructions. No more messy movements, just loads of watery ones. This went on until 11:20 p.m. Went to bed when my stomach felt calmer, just before midnight. Woke again at 2:15 a.m. from a stomach cramp feeling, toilet, small bowel movement, again just watery. Back to bed and woke after 8 a.m., and again another very small watery movement. In all, not an unpleasant experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2016

"My 17-year-old son is having a colonoscopy tomorrow and is having a horrible time getting this down. I am on my way to go get him a lemon to see if he sucks on it and then swallows the solution, if it would make it any easier. He got the first liter down, but the second liter is a nightmare. Some company needs to come up with something better."

• Justs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2016

"Just finished my first 1-liter dose about 2 hours ago. The taste was not as bad as I was afraid of, honestly, the lemon/salty taste reminds me very much of a margarita! Started to work before I was finished drinking it, and already only 2 hours in, I feel pretty cleaned out and the trips to the bathroom, which were at first every five minutes, are now every 15 minutes. I don't have my next dose until 6 a.m. tomorrow, so at this rate, I am reasonably sure I will get some sleep tonight. Some mild cramps, but not bad. With Blue Cross/Blue Shield, my out of pocket was $20. The worst part so far has been the nervousness leading up to my first dose after reading the horror stories on this site. I slept through the night, up at 6 for dose 2, no problems."

• Very...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2018

"Wow, all that worrying for nothing. The whole process was a piece of cake. I mean seriously, it was such a breeze. Like some have said, the hardest part is being so hungry. Sure, MoviPrep doesn't taste good, but it's not that bad either. It's just very salty and lemony. Does that sound so scary? It's just 4 - 8 oz. cups per dose... Easy. Just suck on a hard candy right after and the aftertaste is gone. Really, nothing to it. I was finished drinking in 45 minutes and in the bathroom 15 minutes later. Just hung out for a half an hour or so with my tablet, and that was mostly it. Maybe 2 or 3 more visits before I went to bed, and I slept great! Didn't like getting up at 4 AM, but no big deal. 2 hours after starting the process, I was back to my normal duties around the house... If my family didn't see me drinking the stuff, they wouldn't have even known. The hospital visit was even easier, and right after I left, I went directly out to eat and had a big steak and baked potato... and it was soooo good!"

• Movip...
• April 29, 2016

"I have had to have several colonoscopies over the years and have always been given Picolax. I was slightly concerned with the MoviPrep as there was a lot to drink. However, if you pace yourself over, say, an hour, it's fine. Make sure it's cold and maybe suck a Halls menthol sweet with it. It works quickly and much less pain and discomfort than with the Picolax. I had it at 5 PM, went to the toilet a lot up until about 10 PM, then actually had a night's sleep. Next morning the same amount again, toilet for about another 4 hours, then off to the hospital. I seemed to be able to keep more hydrated with this preparation than with the Picolax as I did not feel so rotten and sick. Much more comfortable experience all around."

• Zogel
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2017

"This is the second time I have had to take MoviPrep since October. After really struggling with the taste the first time around to the point it made me sick. The nurse recommended putting lime cordial in each glass. She also recommended making the prep with flavored water (not red berries). I made it up with lemon and lime flavored water, then chilled it for a few hours. In each glass, I have added the lime cordial and ice. I have used a jumbo straw and had water in a glass just in case. I can honestly say the lime is brilliant. Although there is still a slightly salty taste, it is nowhere near as bad as previously. I have managed the first liter and actually feel I can cope with the next one. I hope this helps."

• Ribena
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2014

"I was very skeptical of taking MoviPrep after reading the online reviews, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I did take an anti-emetic beforehand, as prescribed by my doctor, and I had no nausea at all. Yes, the prep does taste awful, and whatever you use to help flavor it, you will never want to drink again. But I had no side effects: no cramping, bloating, or nausea. The motions I was able to easily get to the toilet and didn't need to get up in the night. The only side effect I did get was burning towards the end, but I did use lots of Sudocrem. My advice would be to start early and take your time. I started at 2 PM and finished at 8 PM for the two doses."

• spano
• November 23, 2019

"A few more words. My experience was MoviPrep took nearly 2 hours to start movements, so don't get brave and go anywhere. While I'm sitting on the loo, I've noticed if you just sit on the loo, not much is happening, but stand up, as I think that is it for now. I manage to wash, pull up trousers, and take a step out of the bathroom and have to jump right back on there."

• Garbo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2022

"It tastes similar to those rehydration powders, kinda salty. Not great but added a little cordial and it was drinkable over 45 minutes. About 75 minutes after I started drinking it started. I can only describe it as like doing a powerful wee, but from your anus. However, no pain and it was controllable, and over after a few hours. For context I was still able to get on with some household chores in between loo runs. A few tips: 1) get it down quick, you don't want to be still forcing it down once the effects are felt! 2) I applied some hemorrhoid ointment in advance, which really helped the discomfort, along with regular vaseline application 3) Ladies, it's basically water. Get some baby wipes and really clean up after every single time, I can imagine it'd be very easy to get BV after this. 4) Keep drinking - you will feel shaky and unwell if you dehydrate, and it'll give you cramps. Overall not bad, and a necessary evil."

• SLano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2019

"I started drinking this at 7 PM. After less than an hour, I had downed it all (washing down with plain water after each chug as the taste isn't that great), and I was on the toilet. It worked quite quickly for me, but I am still sat here now 2 hours later. Scared to move in case it isn't complete, haha! Overall, I think it is good and effective, simple enough to take, and as long as it does the job needed to get the results from my colonoscopy, then I'm happy! Also, was free as I am in the UK (thank God for NHS). I gag quite easily and was more nervous about this than the actual procedure, but it's really not that bad!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2017

"I've been dreading this all week. Read every awful review and every scary web page. I don't do well with gross-tasting stuff and have been scared to death I wouldn't get this stuff down. Just finished the first liter and it was totally fine. It's not tasty, but it's not that bad. I definitely recommend refrigerating and using a straw and holding your nose. It was no issue to drink, and I generally have a weak stomach. It works well as well, I think. Have to run to the bathroom every five minutes or so... sort of like peeing out of a different spot (TMI, sorry). So, all in all, so far so good. Was not even close to as bad as I feared. At all."

• Patrick...
• November 14, 2014

"Took MoviPrep for my 50-year colonoscopy screening. I'm sorry many people have had such a hard time with it, but for myself, that just wasn't the case. Yes, the prep tastes fairly gross: like thick flat 7-Up with salt in it... followed by a weird melon-cucumber aftertaste. I chilled it, and when it was time to drink an 8 oz portion, I just gulped it down. The only time it was almost too much was on dose 8 in the AM. Following that with 16 oz of water was almost too much to bear, and it made me nauseous. It took almost an hour for the prep to get going, but there was only some rumbling and no cramping. The night before doses got the movements fairly clear, but it took the morning dose to really clean things up. The diarrhea wasn't that bad."

• Gamevod
• December 2, 2014

"Colonoscopy prep. Not nearly as bad for me as some below describe. Two-session prep. Mixed the stuff in advance, added one packet of Crystal Light lemonade mix and about two teaspoons of lemon juice, then chilled. Tastes a lot like lemon-lime Gatorade, with some salt added, but a bit slimy consistency. Tried several ways of drinking and ended up doing this. Drank from a glass, no straw. Before taking a swallow, sucked for a moment on a mint. Then took a big mouthful with head tilted back, so avoided most of my tongue. Held there for a second, then swallowed and immediately took another suck on mint. Then another mouthful, etc. No side effects. Started bowel motion about 70 minutes after the first glass and went on and off for 90 min."

• AnnaD
• May 31, 2021

"Drinking my 2nd dose now of Moviprep. First one was ok, started at 6pm, from 7pm - 8pm bowel movements, mainly dirty water. At 9.30pm again one visit in the toilet. Then I slept, with a lot of rumbling in my stomach. In the morning one small watery-dirty movement. Now drinking it again. It's the second time I have colonoscopy with moviprep. My experience says: 1). Don't drink it cold. It may taste better, but I get more cramps and pain when it's cold. I drink it luke-warm and chase every sip with luke warm green tea. Before each sip, I put a slice of lemon on my tongue, and a slice of ginger. 2). Use water to wash your butt, not toilet paper or wet wipes. Wiping makes my butt hurt very much. Wet wipes - don't work for me, it still irritates, maybe even more, cuz wipes give me allergic reaction. So, I wash it with water each time, and when clean, I put a lot of vaseline. My first colonoscopy went fine, I was well prepared. I hope today will be the same."

• padamur
• January 9, 2012

"Can't see what the problem is, it says on the packet what it is going to do and taste like. It tastes horrible, hot, cold, or warm, it cleans the bowel. What more do you want? Except a positive result after the colonoscopy. Go with the flow and get on with it."

• Carol...
• March 22, 2016

"Can't believe all the negative comments. My previous colonoscopy had a vile mixture to take. MoviPrep is a breeze. Doesn't taste too bad. Very easy to get down. Started working after 1 hour. No cramps. I think if you follow the directions regarding what you eat in the days leading up to the procedure, you should not have too many problems."

• FFS
• August 15, 2016

"I came across this page as I was halfway through some MoviPrep and on the brink of throwing it up. I tried a straw, herbal tea chaser, soda water, mints, and none of these helped. I then tried chewing gum, pinching my nose, and not taking too big a gulp. I'm now almost through the second lot. It's working, but I haven't had the big rush to the loo that I was expecting. I have colonoscopies every couple of years, and each time I forget how awful this stuff is. Why can't they just give us something to evacuate the bowel that is then followed by heaps of water to flush it through? Good luck to all who have to drink this."

• Toile...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2014

"Got MoviPrep for my colonoscopy. Followed instructions for the first dose and felt it an hour after. I set up my station in the toilet and was on the toilet until 3 hours 40 mins after. I still ran to the bathroom for less frequent, intermittent water poop urges. From the first dose, I knew I would get zero sleep that night. I only did half of the second dose because if I took the whole dose, I would be crapping my pants in the taxi on my way to the appointment. I started the second dose at 1 am and got no sleep until 5:30 am since I kept drinking water. That was a mistake because the more I drank, the more I pooped out. I was cursing my doctor for giving me MoviPrep, but I'm glad this is all over."

• dontt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2019

"This is the most disgusting stuff ever. How can anyone swallow this? Such an intrusive taste that you can‘t tell whether it‘s most sour, salty or extreme sweet. So confusing to the brain that you need to throw up. I‘m not sensitive but this was too much. The procedure could not be performed."

• Crohn...
• October 6, 2015

"I am getting a colonoscopy tomorrow to verify I have Crohn's. The MoviPrep reviews scared me to the point where I almost canceled my test. But for my health, I sucked it up and completed it. It was great! I mixed it with lemon Gatorade and orange Gatorade, and it actually tasted pretty good and was easy to take. I'm terrified of vomiting, and I gag easily, but this prep didn't bother me at all!"

• Luran
• July 13, 2016

"Tips for completing this prep: 1. Use half orange or citrus Vitamin Water or Gatorade, half regular water, to make the solution. The vitamins and minerals help reduce unpleasant side effects. 2. Mix prep ahead of time and refrigerate for two hours or more. 3. Use a straw to drink the solution. 4. Drink water, apple juice, white grape juice, or other clear liquids as a chaser. 5. Before the prep, during, and after, drink a lot of water. This gives your body something to evacuate and keeps you hydrated through the process. I cannot stress this enough. 6. Grimace and bear it. While not a fun process, this prep is one of the better ones out there. Cheers."

• Gio...
• March 19, 2015

"Just wanted to let everyone know this stuff wasn't bad at all... it didn't even taste horrible. Just had a really strong lemonade taste. No aftertaste. Just make sure to add lemonade Crystal Light and chill before taking. Took first dose of 32 oz at 1 PM... downed it in 10 mins. After, started having bowel movements throughout the day. No pain or bloating, just lots of intestinal rumbling. My second dose, took at 5 AM... this one took a little bit longer to drink, maybe about 40 mins since it was so early... taking the 16 oz of water was much harder. But did it! Had a few more movements for about 4 hrs, and was ready! I was so terrified the day I picked up the mix, literally cried thinking it was going to be bad. But it wasn't. Best prep."

• Cmerun
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2015

"I am 51 and am preparing for my first colonoscopy. 20 years ago I had to clear my bowels for a different procedure, and I used 'GoLightly.' I had to drink one gallon of stuff, and the entire experience was horrible. I am well into my second dose, and I am doing okay. It's not horrible, nor is it pleasant. I chased my gulps with apple juice. As some others have mentioned, the hardest part of the prep is not eating for 32+ hours. Oh well, it could be so much worse. Cheers!!!"

• Nancy...
• July 1, 2015

"Not bad at all. I really worked myself up with worry over taking a new prep for my 2nd colonoscopy. The taste was not wonderful (I gag very easily), but I was able to finish the product. I ate very light for two days before my 'prep day,' which I believe really helped the clean-out process go much faster. Started my first dose at 6 PM, and I was on and off the potty until about 9:30 or so. The second dose started earlier, about 6:00 AM, the day of the procedure, and I finished at about 11:30. My appointment was scheduled for 1:30, but I was told to arrive an hour earlier. Had no cramping or any side effects during the preparation time. By far, this was the easiest preparation for my colonoscopy."