MoviPrep and Bad Taste: What Users Say

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Despite the side effects of nausea, vomiting, and taste, I have to keep in mind that it was beneficial for my overall health. I am a 4-time survivor of colon cancer. I would rather spend a few days out of my life enduring this than going through chemotherapy and losing the battle to cancer as my father and grandmother did."

• Zog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "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."

• tmj...
• January 27, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "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."

• Dev...
• July 24, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "Was given MoviPrep prior to a colonoscopy procedure. I took Picolax solution 5 years ago for my last colonoscopy, and MoviPrep was much gentler. Horrible taste - you can't get away from that. I took sips and drank the first liter over an hour. If you drink it too quickly, I found it made you feel a bit sick. Also, sipping orange juice or some other drink to take the taste away helped. HUGE tip I got was to use Vaseline to stop your bottom from feeling raw. Worked a treat. Good luck to all who are having a colonoscopy."

• Sat...
• August 26, 2010

For Bowel Preparation "I took MoviPrep to help prepare me for a colonoscopy. I was glad to see that it really works because my bowels don't move very often, even with a laxative. I started having bowel motions after taking about 3/4 of the 1st liter. I was a happy, happy camper because MoviPrep cleansed my colon out. My tummy feels so much better. I wasn't that happy about the taste, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't drink it. I just drank it very quickly. It did what it was supposed to do."

• lyd...
• February 2, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "So I've taken MoviPrep Orange, and at first it's not too bad, sort of a salty orange flavor. But then you start to notice the thick, gloopy texture and honestly couldn't stop gagging, absolutely foul taste. Took my first liter at 4 pm, and at 5:30 pm, the movements started. Attempted to take the second liter at 8:30 pm but only managed to get half down. Currently 11:55 pm and still making trips to the bathroom every 15-20 minutes... I'm only a tiny 18-year-old girl. Feel so bad. Definitely don't need the full 2-liter dose, but we'll see tomorrow. This is my third bowel prep, and I will not be doing it again."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2012

For Bowel Preparation "Followed the instructions to the letter, and it did not work. I did not have a bowel movement until 11 hours after the first dose. My doctor had to abort the colonoscopy. We are going to use a different prep next time. MoviPrep really tastes horrible, also. It took three days for MoviPrep to clear out of my system and for me to have a solid bowel movement."

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

For Bowel Preparation "Nothing can prepare you for how bad MoviPrep tastes. It is close to undrinkable. I took the first dose at 2 pm and the next dose at 8 pm. I went to the bathroom a lot quicker on the second dose than on the first. I felt completely drained after the first session. This is a necessary evil, however, if there is a next time, it will have to be through a feeding tube."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "This was my 2nd colonoscopy, and this time I prescribed MoviPrep. The taste was the worst part, even though I drank through a straw. I would brush my teeth after each drink due to the aftertaste. Aside from the taste, it worked well. It started working in about 35 minutes. I had to do a split dosage, 1/2 the night before and 1/2 the morning of the colonoscopy. I ate a low-residue diet the day before, and I believed that helped, so there was not so much output. I think some people think they should eat a lot the day before, but that just makes the prep last longer."

• Haw...
• February 19, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "This is my second colonoscopy. The first was five years ago, and the prep was horrible. This time with MoviPrep is a little better: the taste, though, for me, is terrible. Too sweet and too salty. I've done the first batch. After 45 minutes, I ran to the bathroom, and I've been in there pretty much for two hours. During the few minutes I've been away from the toilet, I Googled MoviPrep and read the experiences. Since I love to eat lemons, I asked my husband to go out for some and some baby wipes. The toilet part hasn't been too bad (not as bad as the first time). Now I'm back doing the second batch. I tried the straw and the lemons, and hooray, they work so much better. I might even be able to get the whole second batch down."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "Having a colonoscopy tomorrow. So, started MoviPrep at 3 pm. I mixed it in advance early this morning, so it's really cold, also drinking through a straw. If you're not good with Daryl light kind of meds, then this is the best bet. I'm not good with the salty taste! So, I cut a lemon into wedges, bite a wedge, keep the juice in my mouth, and drink as much as I can from the glass, then have another bite of lemon and repeat till the glass is gone. Followed by something nice like lemonade."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "There is a worse-tasting medication than this one called Fleet. There is no way around the foul taste of MoviPrep, don't sip it, try not to taste between gulps. Wash your mouth out with clean water after each 250 mL glass and chew peppermint gum to take away the taste."

• Suz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I’m finding the MoviPrep orange very sweet for me. I can live with the salty taste. Finding it quite hilarious the fact it feels like someone keeps turning a hose on in my backside. Not sure how I will feel in a few hrs-so far though it’s working fine."

• Esi...
• January 5, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I took this stuff before having a flexible sigmoidoscopy. The first dose worked after about an hour. It tasted unpleasant (cheap, lemony, and salty), and the consistency was thick and lumpy, so it was difficult to swallow. When I rinsed the jug out afterwards, it fizzed like a volcano. There has been plenty of urgency to go to the loo, but no cramps. The first dose cleared me out so well that I didn't need to bother with the second dose."

• Rin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "So today I took MoviPrep for the first time, three days before I changed my diet to very low fiber. My colonoscopy is tomorrow afternoon. However, the doctor said to take it all tonight, so pleased I don’t have to do it again in the morning. MAKE SURE YOU BUY OUT YOUR LOCAL SHOPS VASELINE!!! The worst thing about the whole process is your backside will feel like you're wiping with glass by the end, wet wipes make it worse. I got all worked up over nothing. I thought I was going to be doubled up in pain. No pain AT ALL. Ok, so it doesn’t taste great, but wasn’t too bad either. It was like getting ready for a tequila shot, but without the tequila, lol. After the first lot @5 pm, it started working 30-40 minutes later... (do not leave the bathroom). It won’t turn clear/yellow until you’ve taken the second lot (which I took at 10:30 pm) and almost finished. So weird peeing poop, lol."

• Tra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2025

For Bowel Preparation "I was prescribed MoviPrep for my first colonoscopy at age 46. With no experience, I did a search for other reviews and found mostly negative experiences. However, my experience was very positive. The prep is exceedingly salty, which is what makes it nasty. Here are the tips I either researched or learned through my experience: - Set a timer and attempt to finish 8 oz. every 20 minutes. - Sip through a straw. - Put the prep in one cup and a clear, but pleasant beverage in another cup, and take a sip directly after sipping the prep. I alternated between apple juice, apple juice + sparkling water, and Ocean Spray white-cran-peach. I do not recommend the alternate drink be anything with electrolytes, as it will also be salty and doesn't offer the relief you need from the prep. - Suck on a menthol lozenge while sipping the prep; it distracts from the salty/bad taste. - Use an adult diaper (or for women, an overnight menstrual pad) to catch any 'leakage' between potty visits."

• Rav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2021

"I have a colonoscopy scheduled for tomorrow and currently taking the MoviPrep solution. It smells like mosquito repellent and tastes horrible, but I'm using Country Time Lemonade to cover that awful taste, and it seems to be working well. The trick is to make a cup of Country Time Lemonade as directed and add an extra tablespoon of lemonade to it, pour it over ice, and then drink a swig or two after drinking the MoviPrep solution. Hope this helps others who have to drink this nasty junk."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2009

For Bowel Preparation "Used as a prep for colonoscopy, it made me so sick I had to cancel the procedure. It tastes terrible and caused me to vomit, along with being way overpriced ($58.00)."

• slo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 12, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "Have to have a colonoscopy every 2 years. MoviPrep tastes bad, but it works. Tastes better than others."