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Plenvu for Bowel Preparation User Reviews

Plenvu has an average rating of 4.9 out of 10 from a total of 398 reviews for the treatment of Bowel Preparation. 35% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 47% reported a negative experience.

Plenvu rating summary

4.9/10 average rating

398 ratings from 418 user reviews.

Compare all 49 medications used in the treatment of Bowel Preparation.

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Reviews for Plenvu

  • Cynlyn
  • June 11, 2019

"Want to lose 13lbs in 2 days along with all your electrolytes, every single drop of water in your body, and your general will to live? If so try new Plenvu bowel prep, where are motto is "if you didn't have hemorrhoids before, you do now! Dose 1 comes in our great new mango, burned car tire, toilet bowl cleaner sludge flavor! Take it before bed to ensure you get zero sleep and wake up hating everyone and everything. If you survive the night you get rewarded with another dose at 4 a.m. This one comes in the only slightly less repulsive flavor of fruitpunch, saltwater, and enough Aspertame to give cancer to an entire 3rd world country! Side effects include pooping your brains out for days before, during and after your procedure, anal bleeding, severe muscle cramps, joint pain, headache, severe dehydration, and hoping you poop on the doctor who made you wait an hour and a half after your appointment time to begin your colonoscopy."

1 / 10
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  • Momof
  • July 21, 2020

"I was freaked out after reading all the negative reviews. I have anxiety about taking medication and I knew this wasn’t going to be pleasant. But it really wasn’t that bad. With Plenvu I had no side effects other than the wanted diarrhea. No pain. No anxiety. No dizziness. No vomiting. It doesn’t taste great but it’s not horrible either. It started working an hour after I finished the prep."

10 / 10
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268 Report
  • SueE
  • July 22, 2019

"As with most things online (especially where drugs are concerned) people only tend to post reviews if there are problems. If things go well, they think nothing of it and just move on with their lives. At this moment, I am almost at the end of the prep. I am actually sitting on the throne with my iPad on a chair in front of me. I took twice as long to drink it than instructed - both doses - and experienced no nausea whatsoever. I matched each sip of Plenvu with a sip of flavoured, bottled water - non fizzy. Plus I’ve drunk a lot more water than instructed. A ton more. I feel fine. I’ve used a barrier cream after every movement. Another hour and I hope I will be able to get to bed. The worst part of all this is my back and leg ache from sitting on the toilet for so long! Plan your time carefully. Take longer and drink more - much more. I hope this helps balance the reviews here a little ... Good luck!"

9 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Miche...
  • January 30, 2021

"Started prep at 6:00pm night before procedure. Added ice and sipped it through straw. I had ginger ale for in between as needed. It's salty/sweet but not so bad you can't handle it. Drank water and some clear grape juice later on. I had no issues. A few stomach cramps as things started moving. It took about 2 hours for it to start working but was in bed by 10pm and slept great the whole night. Next morning, step 2 of prep. Started 6:00am with water. Things really started to move and I was running all clear by 9:00am. The only part I couldn't done better with was getting more to drink before the procedure because my appointment was running over an hour late and I was extremely thirsty and couldn't have anything until afterwards. All in all things went as smooth as they could've gone. For anyone reading this, don't be scared of doing this prep. My biggest advice is to have light meals the days leading up to your procedure. I really think that helped me as well."

10 / 10
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  • Hakun...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 5, 2021

"It works, but I really can’t believe this is on the market. I suggest a liquid diet the day before starting this. It helped. I took the first dose about 5:10pm the day before my procedure. I could not finish it all in the half hour. In about 30 min it started working and I was on the toilet about every 5-10 min for the next hour or two. I fell asleep from 9-10 pm, then woke up, went some more, then slept from about midnight to 430 am when I had to take the 2nd dose. So...the roughest part...the second dose is so awful. I tried a sip of solution, a sip of Gatorade back and forth and it didn’t help. I even shoved a slice of lemon in my mouth at one point - nope. I only got half the solution down then quit because my body was telling me to stop. An hour later I threw it all up but it still had me going clear. Side effects I experienced are headaches, chills, nausea, vomiting, dry heaving, diarrhea - but it was gentle. My advice: if your body is telling you to stop drinking, then stop."

6 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Suzie
  • June 5, 2020

"Never again! This was my second colonoscopy and the first was not this bad. My insurance copay was $60 so I expected it to be “new and improved “. The first dose was tolerable but nasty.. It started working before I finished drinking it (about 15 minutes). The second dose at 3am was horrible. I had about 2 oz left but stubborn me determined to finish even though I was nauseous. Suddenly I started throwing up violently. I went to the bathroom just as violently and so irritated I couldn’t sit. Awful!! My question. Is why is the same dose required for a 300 pound male as a 125 pound female. Definitely felt like overkill like killing a fly with a hand grenade! No more Plenvu for me!"

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • July 21, 2021

"So it really is the more horrible vile thing I have ever tasted. That being said, you can get through it! It is only 16oz.! I fasted for 48hrs.,broth, jello, popsicles and water. That really helped the “movement” part be a lot less severe. I mixed the stuff in cold water and refrigerated it for approx. 4hrs before I drank it. I alternated small sips of the drink with small sips of ice water. I sucked on spearmint lifesavers in between sips. I took the whole thirty minutes to drink it. No gagging, no vomiting, no nausea. I also started it two hours before directed time of 6:00 pm. I was in bed by 10, up again at 2:00 for second dose and finished in time for the procedure. The second dose was worse as far as the “movement”. It took longer, about four hours. So no sleep, but no other side effects. I don’t know if would do it again, and the product is really awful but you can make it through! Don’t panic! You can do this!!! Good luck to all!"

6 / 10
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  • PBano
  • August 28, 2019

"After reading these reviews I was terrified to take this prep but it was all I had so I did it and...not that bad. Of course you are emptying your bowels it's not the most fun but this was not that bad. I have taken laxatives that had me curled up in a ball on the bathroom floor, this was not the case with Plenvu. I feel it all depends on your preparation. I followed the directions strictly and honestly did not eat a ton 2 days before because I knew this was happening. If you follow the directions you should be fine, yeah it sucks not eating but it is worth it. Because of the magnesium Citrate I had two days before my procedure (which was way worse than this) I really only had liquid BM's and I had to go to the bathroom every time I went but I could hold it just fine, I went about every 40minutes after taking the second dose. I hope this helps someone who is scared of taking this"

10 / 10
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  • Jonny...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 25, 2020

"I was recently prescribed Plenvu for my colonoscopy. I was happy to learn that it was only 2 doses of 16 oz each as compared to the other preps that required you to drink much more prep. After my first sip of Plenvu my happiness turned into terror at the absolutely horrid taste of this prep. Think thick and VERY salty with a nauseating fake fruit flavor. I could barely choke it down and would have vomited it up if not for the anti-nausea script provided by my GI. Yes, you drink less fluid but the solution is simply MUCH MORE concentrated than in other preps. Even using a straw to try to avoid my taste buds did little to make it any more palatable. I have had 6 colonoscopies and this was the worst prep I ever used."

2 / 10
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  • HBee
  • January 9, 2021

"I'm happy to report, no major issues with Plenvu. No cramping, no nausea, no vomiting. Ate a bland diet on the day before the prep. Ate only clear liquids on the prep day. Started prep at 4pm. Allow the full 2-3 min to let the stuff dissolve. I didn't chug it, but did get it all down within 15-20 minutes. Taste was bad, but not as vile as people have described. Started working within 2 hours. By the end of phase 1, stool was liquid, but still not clear. Went to bed by 10 with plans to get up for dose 2 at 4:30. No accidents or issues. Took my time w/dose 2. As nasty as it tastes, slow and steady (20 min total to drink) worked for me. I followed hot tea to help keep the chills away. Dose 2 worked quickly. Went several times for about an hour and achieved the clear, pale yellow outcome, and went back to bed for 2 hours. Doc said prep was excellent. No problems after."

9 / 10
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  • ladyl...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 21, 2021

"This is the worst experience I have ever had with any kind of medication in my life. Started yesterday at 5pm. mixed with cold water and used a straw to drink. This stuff is extremely salty and over flavored with artificial fruit flavoring. It is very intense and there will be an awful salty after taste. I instantly felt sick to my stomach. I tried to remain calm and relaxed and sat still. Drank plenty of clear liquid behind it. About 45 mins after I completed the first does I went to the bathroom for first BM. During that time of having my BM, I became very hot and sweaty. I started feeling awful. I knew I was about to get sick. I wound up throwing up at least half of what I had drank. Got up at 1:00am to start the second dose. Decided to drink this one even slower to see if that would help me from getting sick again. Took about 45 mins to drink it all this time. Taste is so horrible. Just awful. I made it thru and instantly started feeling very full and very sick."

1 / 10
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95 Report
  • Jano
  • October 21, 2019

"WARNING: There is no warning! No cramping, no feelings of needing to go poop. I just stood up after about an hour and it just shot out my butt like a hose!! What a friggin mess! Now the bathroom smells like Dose 1 tasted! No kidding. Another hour until dose 2. Really? You can spend trillions to look for a rock on Mars but NO ONE can make this stuff taste good? Just not fun. Watch your step!"

10 / 10
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  • Reezy
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 30, 2020

"This Plenvu is by far the worst tasting prep I've ever had. It has a salty, bitter and thick consistency which makes you want to gag. The nausea I felt was immediate. Adding ice to the container helps a little to alleviate the vile flavor. It's filled with aspartame, which worsens the aftertaste. Surely there has to be a better prep. This is absolutely disgusting."

1 / 10
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107 Report
  • Lano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 4, 2020

"I would like to rate Plenvu 0, not even a 1. Worst prep ever, started procedure at 4:00 PM, was still eliminating waste (or water) at 5:30AM. Actually until the procedure at 9:00 AM. It was the nightmare night, no sleep! Ended up passing out a week later from low Potassium. Fell and had 4 stitches in the forehead, very light headed. All because of this product. I've never had a body imbalance like this in my life. Please do not take this! Same product they would give to a 300# man as they gave me and I'm a female weighing way less than half that!"

1 / 10
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  • Tracey
  • January 16, 2020

"As someone who gags easily I researched about this product. I was so happy to read that the amount I had to drink was very small but...The first dose of 16 ounces was tolerable with a little bit of gagging. Just took a sip of ginger ale in between doses. The second mixture (dose) combining the two packets of powder taken at mid-night was the most difficult thing I have ever had to swallow. I was not able to drink it without gagging and only able to drink about 8 ounces, at the most, and at that time my fecal was clear liquid so I threw the rest down the drain. Did not ask the Dr. how clean my colon was, but the procedure went well. If we can send a man to the moon we should be able to get a better tasting prep, especially the second dose, for colonoscopies. No reason to have to drink this horrible combination of powder with fluid. I hope in five years, when I have my next one, there is something better on the market!"

2 / 10
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  • Vivi
  • March 3, 2021

"1st time, so worried after reading the reviews. Female, 5'6, ~135 lbs. What I did worked well: - Prepped right before drinking (shook for 7-8 min) - Sipped with a straw over 25 min; repeat for H20. Slightly nauseous (2/10) but started going within 10 min afterward, so got distracted. Within 1 hour, only cloudy liquid and in 2 more hours, <urgency - Next dose 9.5 hrs after 1st. Note - doc's office said 10.5 hrs after 1st (4.5 hrs before colonscopy)- which I would not recommend. Start 2nd dose>=5.5 hrs ahead of when you leave. If I'd started 4.5 hrs before, I would've still been on the toilet. - 2nd dose harder to tolerate - sip slowly & burp Also had 96 oz of cool H20 between 1st/2nd dose+32 more after 2nd dose. Staying hydrated helped a lot. Tastes like a supercharged Gatorade to me, with a thicker viscosity. Very sweet & very salty at the same time. Am actually glad they added the sweet, as can't imagine how salty it actually is if even with the sweetness, you can still taste all that saltiness."

9 / 10
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80 Report
  • Jay
  • November 20, 2019

"The reviews I read about the Plenvu prep left me anxious. I started the process yesterday at 5pm and had the 2nd dose at 10pm. I completed both doses in less than 5 minutes. For both doses, I simply held my nose and took it down. This was immediately followed by water. No issues here. The doses had my stomach rumbling in about 10 minutes and the first bowel movement in about 20 minutes after the first dose. I went to the bathroom quite a bit. I was able to sleep for short periods after each of the doses without making a mess. The experience of others is valid; however, I realized that I should not make the experience of another the foundation for what I will experience. Follow the directions and see how your body responds. We are all different."

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  • Crazy...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 1, 2020

"Wow, finally a prep that is easy to take. Mixed prep with very cold water, drank with straw, down in 5 minutes. No discomfort at all, worked within hour. Both preps were easy to take and no negative effects. Makes Golightly seem like water boarding torture!"

10 / 10
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  • jcanm...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 25, 2021

"I've just finished part one of two part prep. GoLytely was far easier. This took me two hours to choke down. I am nauseated and cold. I just feel sick. I did get a little relief from the suggestion of sucking on lemons after each drink. The taste is repulsive beyond description. I'm scared of the next part when I get up. I will edit this when I'm done if possible. I pray I never have to go through this again. I'm a retired RN and have been in charge of an endoscopy unit.Part 2... so nauseated can't finish all of second solution. Still drinking water. Woke with headache and chills. Chills continue. Dizzy. If I can't have this colonoscopy I don't think I can go through this again. My butt is bleeding. Never been do sick in my life. Never again. Who made this up? Rating 2 because I think I'm cleaned out but the side effects are horrific."

2 / 10
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68 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 11, 2021

"This is absolutely the worst tasting thing I have ever come across. The "fruit flavors" don't help at all. If anything they make it worse. It's a combination of really sweet and really salty and quite frankly I don't know if there's anything worse. A new formula is absolutely necessary because judging by the reviews, 9/10 patients have mutual feelings towards it. Absolutely disgusting."

1 / 10
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70 Report
  • Shelly
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 18, 2019

"I checked out the reviews the night I was to start this for my first colonoscopy, I was horrified, almost to the point of tears. I debated even going thru with it! I’m glad I decided to do it! The taste was not the greatest, but tolerable with water after every drink. I started taking it at 5 pm, it started working within the hour, no cramping, no stomach upset, I was done by 10 and slept all night. I woke up at 5 am to start the next dose, which I thought was better than the first, again, started working within the hour and was done by 9:30 am. No adverse reactions!! I wish I had never read the reviews on this! The taste was the worst, first dose tasted like mango flavor with salt water, second dose was fruit punch with slight salt water, but it was tolerable with water after every drink. They found 1 polyp and removed it, benign, thank God!! I fully recommend this product!!"

10 / 10
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  • MsChr...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 1, 2024

"Plenvu offers a unique twist with its mango and fruit punch flavors, providing a more palatable experience. The affordability at $40, even without insurance coverage, makes it accessible. Following the directions led to a successful colon cleanse, ensuring a clean slate for the colonoscopy. However, the notable saltiness might be a drawback for some. Additionally, caution is needed, as the product induced severe dehydration despite increased fluid intake. Ultimately, the product delivered on its primary purpose, but users should be mindful of potential dehydration risks."

8 / 10
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  • Senior...
  • December 6, 2019

"I was apprehensive about taking Plenvu after reading so many negative reviews, but I actually had a decent overall experience. I followed all the prep guidelines from the Dr & utilized the Two-Day Split-Dosing plan. A lot of people reported problems with nausea, so I got a prescription for Zofran from my Dr. Overall, I would not hesitate to use this prep again. It was a huge improvement of the stuff I had used 10 years ago. Less liquid to drink, less time glued to the toilet, and I was able to get some sleep between Dose 1 and 2. There were a few tips I found very helpful: 1. Be sure to use cold refrigerated water. 2. Shake it up really well to make sure all the powder gets dissolved. 3. Drink it with a straw placed at the back of your mouth. 4. The taste was tolerable, but would have been much worse if I had tried to drink it like a regular glass of liquid and let it run over the taste buds in my tongue! Rinse your mouth out with water after each continuous gulp of liquid."

9 / 10
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  • Bob...
  • February 20, 2020

"My experience was a breeze. Took 1st dose the day before at 2:30pm, had a significant "diarrhea" bowel movement about 30m later, not much. No sitting on the toilet for hours, no soiling my pants... Got up at 4:15am for the 2nd dose, had 3 mostly liquid bowel movements before heading to the hospital. No risk of "losing it" before reaching the bathroom, should have gone back to bed. I was afraid to go back to bed. Last bowel movements clear and yellowish, post procedure notes state that the prep was excellent. Taste wasn't great, Gatorade didn't really taste better. Used a straw, drank the 16oz in 3 big gulps. No biggie. Drank an extra gallon over the prep time: tea, water, Gatorade, chicken stock... Stopped 2h before procedure. Everyone is different, but it was hassle-free for me"

10 / 10
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73 Report
  • first...
  • January 15, 2021

"It three hours post taking the 2nd dose and I not sure if I am finished yet, but I am at yellow output stage. I am writing this before I forget to. Because in reading some of these reviews I was afraid of this as a first time colonoscopy patient. The drinks are gross but not undrinkable. I alternated between the prep and ginger ale. I also used refrigerator cold water to make my prep and drank it through a straw. Last night it took more than an hour for the first dose to work. I started at 4 pm was done well before bedtime. This morning started at 6:15 and it took less than 30 minutes for things to start moving. The morning dose does not give you much warning, stay very close to your bathroom. I think, because it's mostly liquid your ability to hold it is less effective than when it's solid or even diarrhea. I've never done it with the other preps, but as far as I can tell, this is better than drinking the gallon of the other stuff."

10 / 10
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59 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.