MoviPrep and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

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

For Bowel Preparation "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."

• ELL...
• February 20, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Last time I had a colonoscopy, I was given Fleet. I paid 2 loo visits, and the job was done. This time I got MoviPrep. I read the reviews on here - big mistake. I became so nervous about taking it, I nearly canceled the procedure. I started the first liter at 4:30 pm and finished it by 6:15 pm. Lots of gurgling and rumblings after 1 hour, but nothing until 2 hours 28 mins - yes, I had set a stopwatch, just so I could review it on here!! The prep itself is palatable but a matter of individual taste. It's like runny lemon sorbet - very sweet but with a background saltiness. I took it as 3 mugfuls, followed by water. I also chilled it after making it, which I think definitely helps. I'll report back tonight or tomorrow on how the second liter goes. My procedure is at 9 am, so it may be after that. Don't let the bad reviews put you off - chances are you will feel just like me with it. For the record, I'm in the UK, so I was prescribed this on the NHS, so it cost me nothing."

• Jan...
• June 10, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "It's not meant to taste like Kool-Aid! Having said that, the initial intake of the liter was fine, didn't really taste all that bad. But the more you have, the worse it gets. Coming up on my last 250ml, it took me nearly half an hour gaining up the courage to drink it all. Through the 90 minutes of drinking, I felt nauseous in waves. Took it at 7 pm, and by 9 pm, I was on the toilet like a fire hose. Was in the middle of an Overwatch game and had to leave because it literally went 0-100 in seconds. Spent the next hour on the toilet with my laptop just watching videos, got up for a bit, and now I'm back guessing that I'm finishing off the last parts. Make sure to have a water bottle with you, as you will get dehydrated and maybe get a headache. You may experience some indigestion and some unpleasant gurgling. For me, the worst part of it all was actually drinking the prep, which wasn't really all that bad till the last bits, just take your time."

• Joo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I've suffered with stomach problems for years. Colonoscopy booked, I started MoviPrep and finished the first liter. I waited...and waited...nothing happened except terrible bloating and stomach pain. This was Monday evening...by Friday still nothing but a very sore stomach, lots of painful wind...and I went to my GP. Never will I take this preparation again, it's now Saturday evening and my stomach still feels very sore and bloated. I must be in a tiny minority that it didn't work and has obviously severely irritated my stomach and bowel."

• Joo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I've suffered with stomach problems for years. Colonoscopy booked, I started MoviPrep and finished the first liter. I waited...and waited...nothing happened except terrible bloating and stomach pain. This was Monday evening...by Friday still nothing but a very sore stomach, lots of painful wind...and I went to my GP. Never will I take this preparation again, it's now Saturday evening and my stomach still feels very sore and bloated. I must be in a tiny minority that it didn't work and has obviously severely irritated my stomach and bowel."

• col...
• November 8, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "Prepare prep in advance, adding 1/2 packet lemon Crystal Light, and refrigerate. When the time comes to drink, pour into a cup with ice and drink through a straw. Never had any stomach cramps and actually only went to the bathroom a couple of times the night before. The next morning, drank the second liter in the same manner as before. Still no cramps and went to the bathroom frequently until completely purged. I would highly recommend."

• Nut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I had to use this before my colonoscopy, and after hearing about it and reading, I had really worked myself up, but I didn’t need to, it was no problem at all. I took the first MoviPrep dose at 5 pm and started on the loo at 6. I just sat there for 90 mins, there isn’t much point in getting off the toilet! I was in bed by 8:45, all done. I woke up at 5:30 and started the 2nd dose, it began working at 7:15 am and was done by 9:15 am. I had no stomach cramps or pains, and I wasn’t sick. I made it up a few hours beforehand and chilled it. It does get harder to drink the longer you take, and it took me about 75 mins to drink the full litre. By the end of the first dose, it was just yellow clear water coming out, so I wasn’t even sure I needed the second dose, but I took it anyway. I do suffer from IBS-D, so I’m not sure if that’s why it was easier for me."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Most reviews are commenting on the taste, and that’s been the least of my concerns with it. I started my first dose at around 3:30 pm, and as soon as I finished at 4:30 pm, I had my first bowel movement, and it’s been non-stop ever since. I started my second dose around 8:30 pm and drank 3/4 of it, as I’ve been on non-stop trips to the bathroom. I’ve read through all of the reviews on here (had the time whilst sitting on the toilet for the better part of 7 hours), and only a handful of people have described what I’m experiencing. My stomach must be particularly sensitive to this product. I’m concerned that I may have to cancel my appointment if this doesn’t stop. This experience has turned me off ever using this again."

• Vic...
• April 13, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Got this MoviPrep with no instructions from the hospital. Great... What a good start. Took the first liquid between 8-9 pm and for me, it was a bit of a struggle to drink that much (unless it's wine!) About an hour later, I was on the loo continuously, so it was working, but by 12, I was still running to the loo..... No sleep because of a bit of a painful tummy and gurgling.... The worst part is the ring sting.... Ring of fire is an understatement as I think my behind is a volcano now. Took my second lot and am now waiting. Use Vaseline as it does help relieve the burning inferno that is now my backside."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "It doesn’t have a nice taste - the first couple of glasses, it’s okay, then it becomes disgusting. I’m not sure exactly what it is that makes it so, but I found it tolerable if I quickly sipped some Lucozade after chugging a couple of mouthfuls. After the first dose, I felt bloated with water, some mild cramping, and a tummy ache. Started the first dose at 5 pm and finished by 7 pm. So I had an hour's rest in between and drank some apple juice. Lots of bubbles in my tummy. Started the second dose at 8 pm, started pooping at 08:41 pm. It’s so gross, water coming out your butthole is just not right, but needs must. It’s now 23:35, and a bowel movement still occurs now and then. I was really worried about this prep, but all in all, it’s not too bad at all. Is it pleasant? No. But I don’t feel sick, cramps were mild and short, and the bowel movements are not explosive. It’s been gentle on my system. I put Vaseline outside and inside my posterior, and I’m not sore. Good luck!"

• Roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "Worst prep ever!! Terrible chemical, heavy lemon taste. Took the two liters and water as directed. It did not work. I have used other preps that worked great. Don't waste your time with this one. Went for colonoscopy, and had to be abandoned, MoviPrep had failed to work and my colon was full of feces. All that preparation for nothing, I even went on a liquid diet prior and it still failed. Also real bad side effects. Extreme pain for days afterward and stomach gurgling. Now got to do all over again with a different prep."

• Tho...
• January 9, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "It's been three hours since I started drinking the first half over an hour and a half ago, and I am still waiting to go to the loo. I've been sitting in this bathroom for about 2 hours, and nothing. Haha, should I be worried? The second half is in the morning. My stomach is gurgling, but nothing is happening. Just my luck, eh :P"

• Cha...
• January 21, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "This is the worst thing I have ever tasted in my entire life. It took me ages to drink the first liter. After, I felt sick, stomach cramps. Then, 2 hours after drinking the first liter, the heavens opened! I tried to drink my second liter, but I physically couldn't. I drank 500 ml of it, and I threw up the whole River Nile (after drinking 1 l of water in between). Worst experience ever! And I'm starving, LOL."

• 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."

• Sis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "This is my 2nd colonoscopy in 3 years. The first prep I used made me feel very ill, so I was looking forward to trying MoviPrep. It took 2 hours from the completion of drinking it for it to cause any motion. It gave me slight gurgling and cramping, but nothing like when you have a stomach virus. I took the 2nd part of it at 2:30 a.m., and it caused me to have motion almost immediately. I was worried that I wouldn't make it to the appointment without having to stop at a bathroom on the way, but I didn't. I was also worried because I never got to the point of clear stools. I told my doctor this when I arrived for the appointment. The doctor ended up telling me that she saw everything fine."

• Boo...
• April 18, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "34 from the UK in prep for a colonoscopy. Used the orange one with orange cordial to hide the taste. Wasn't too bad, but obviously does taste rather rank. Started it at 3 pm and finished the liter at around 6 pm, just wasn't feeling it so close together. Kicked in first with a few stomach cramps and lots of wind and gurgles, then boom. As others have said, it sure felt like I was peeing from my bum."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2012

For Bowel Preparation "Used as a prep before my colonoscopy. It did what it was supposed to do. I would recommend drinking lots of fluids during the day to stay hydrated. It did not give me stomach cramps like a previous prep I'd used 7 years ago. I mixed it up about 8 hours ahead of time and got it really chilled in the fridge. Also, drink it with a straw as you bypass a lot of taste buds that way! It is very salty, but wasn't intolerable for me."

• Suz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "The flavor of MoviPrep reminded me of Alka-Seltzer. It's got that citrusy flavor. It is tolerable. I was really freaked out by what others had said, but the experience was not as horrible as I read. Within 20 minutes, I was in the bathroom. I started my prep around 5 PM, and the bathroom trips started to settle down between 7 and 8:00 PM. Still lots of gurgling, though. Take round 2 about 3:30 AM. Make sure you have flushable wipes and Vaseline!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "After reading these reviews, I was terrified as I have severe emetophobia (fear of vomit), and if you’re in the same position, let me reassure you, it will be fine! I had to drink one liter from 5-7 pm and the second liter from 8-10 pm. Some tips: 1. Refrigerate it beforehand and drink it through 2 straws. 2. It tastes like salted water, not pleasant but completely bearable when chased by something (cordial, apple juice, lime wedge). Create a station of drinks. 3. Sip each glass in a half-hour stretch, that’ll help to not get stomach cramps/nausea, there’s no need to chug! I also paced around as I drank, which helped with bloating and distracted me from the taste. 4. Create a comfortable environment in the bathroom and distract yourself with entertainment, I had Gogglebox on my iPad loudly (helps if it is a funny show as it keeps you in a good mood). 5. Get ready for bed beforehand, in pajamas, make-up off, etc., as you’ll spend the evening on the toilet. 6. Give yourself a pep talk for the last glass!"

• cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "I had to take this for a colonoscopy. Having not been allowed to eat all day the day before the examination, I was quite apprehensive about putting this strange-smelling, lemony stuff in my mouth. Needless to say, I found it incredibly hard to drink. It took me around 2 1/2 hours to finish the first liter, starting at 5 pm and finishing (eventually) at 7:30 pm. It took about an hour for the medicine to work properly, after I was stuck to the sofa with bad stomach cramps. The second liter didn't go down well at all. I was very bloated and felt like I was going to vomit, which I didn't want to do, as then it would have all been for nothing. It's 5 am now, and still half a liter to go. Hoping it will be okay as I'm still stuck to the toilet."

• sar...
• May 19, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "I'm 19 and taking MoviPrep for my first colonoscopy. Or should I say was taking it. First glass was terrible, but with a plugged nose and a strong chaser, it was possible. The second glass was absolutely horrible. About halfway through it, I vomited twice, got the chills, and called my doctor to cancel. I'm rescheduled with a different prep (with only 4 total tablespoons of prep and a ton of water!). The rest of the day, my stomach was upset and came close to vomiting multiple times. It's now 12 (did the half a liter at 5), and the bowels just started moving. Would not recommend, it's terrible, and there are better alternatives!"

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2012

For Bowel Preparation "Worked fine. Mixed water with Crystal Light lemonade first, then let it get to room temp. Then mixed in MoviPrep. Tasted fine. My problem is the side effect 24 hours after the last dose. Lots of stomach discomfort and bloating, not from the procedure since it had to be canceled because the doctor was away. Yuk...have to do this again next week...he did reimburse me the 50 bucks for the script."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "OMG, just had my first lot of MoviPrep, and I feel so sick. Nothing yet, only gurgling stomach. It does say it takes an hour to work. Will take 2nd dose tonight."