Plenvu and Headaches: What Users Say

• Cyn...
• June 11, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Want to lose 13 lbs 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 our 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 fruit punch, saltwater, and enough Aspartame 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."

• Hak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "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 5:10 pm 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 4:30 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."

• jca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I've just finished part one of a 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 the second solution. Still drinking water. Woke with a 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 so 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."

• mou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Beware! The first dose wasn't too terrible to get down at 5 pm. By 5 am, when I woke to start the second dose, I had a terrible headache that I thought was sinus. It only got worse from there. I started drinking the dose and kept feeling worse: headache, nausea, weakness, cramps. After about 1/4 of the dose, I became violently ill, which only intensified the bad side effects. By 6 am, my husband got my neighbor, a trauma surgeon, to come over and check in on me. She suggested the emergency room. I was happy to go, my symptoms and weakness were scaring me. I'm 65, but I've had several colonoscopies and not gone off the rails like this, and I'm super fit and an avid mountain biker. It took about 4 days before I felt strong and normal. The worst part is, I still have to get a colonoscopy! I won't use Plenvu, but I'm still terrified!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "This was a traumatizing experience. Never, ever again. Zero taste improvement from other preps. The worst was the profound incontinence. After the first dose, it went on for 4 hours, but I had 5-10 seconds to make it to the toilet about every 10 minutes. After the second dose the morning of the procedure, I didn't even have a three-second warning, and it went on for over 5 hours - past the time of my appointment. Going every 3-5 minutes with no warning. I had to line the car seat with towels and change clothes twice in the clinic restroom just to get into the exam. And that doesn't even address the severe perineal damage from the acid or the extreme dehydration and headache from being unable to drink anything for 3 hours before the appointment. Nothing like crapping your pants in the waiting room full of people waiting for their loved ones or cleaning the floor of the clinic restroom. Probably formulated for 300 lb men. It needs to be adjusted down for people who are only 140 lbs or less."

• MVa...
• November 22, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This med tastes nasty, but I was able to finish both the doses. After my 1st dose at 5:30 pm, colon cleansing started in 30 mins and lasted for 3 hours for every 5-10 mins. I took my 2nd dose at 2:30 am, cleansing lasted for about 4 hours, for every 3-5 mins. The best way to drink this is to use a straw and flush it with apple juice after every sip. Though the med description says you can't have it with anything, the nurse told me it is totally fine to drink it with clear juice or clear Gatorade. I was able to finish both the doses in 10 mins. I had 20 oz of water after finishing the med and apple juice. After the 2nd dose, I had the yellow watery bowel movement for 4 hours. I also had a terrible headache after the 2nd dose and chills with both doses, which went away once the med got out of my system. The procedure went well, and the doc was able to see the colon clearly. This med is doable with apple juice, which flushes away the bitter aftertaste."

• IBS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I was prescribed Plenvu prep for an upcoming colonoscopy, which was today. The first dose is flavored with artificial mango flavor. It was the most vile thing I'd ever tasted. I managed to get the majority of it down. There was 1 ounce I couldn't finish. Before I was done, I had explosive diarrhea. I didn't make it to the bathroom. From here on out, it was pure liquid that ran through me. I took the second dose 6 hours later, and it was even worse than the first dose. I could only finish 14 of the 16 ounces. Again, it just ran right through me. I'd eaten extremely light Monday through Wednesday, and I think that helped tremendously. Shortly after the second dose, my head began to throb. I'd been hydrating before and during the first dose and struggled mightily with the second. All I could smell and taste was the disgusting fruit punch flavor. I finally dozed off around 1 a.m. Woke up at 5 a.m. and had passed more liquid in my sleep."

• Woo...
• March 18, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This was my 3rd colonoscopy, so I knew what to expect up until I started the Plenvu bowel cleanse regimen. In simplest terms, “This stuff is poison.” I can’t believe the Food and Drug Administration approved this. The taste was absolutely horrible, and it made my stomach upset and burn a bit. I followed the directions and had a bowel movement within the hour, which turned into urinating out of my butt. Having stomach cramps, butt leakage, and extreme thirst hampered my night's sleep. The next morning, I took the second dose, which was just as bad as the first. I could feel my body starving for water, as this stuff sucked all my body fluids into my colon. I didn’t stop urinating out of my butt until 10 minutes before my procedure. It did clean me out, but with a huge price to pay. Five days later, I’m still feeling the effects of dehydration, loss of electrolytes, along with a dull headache and fatigue. Never will I use this med again."

• kmr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2024

For Bowel Preparation "I have to admit I was terrified to take this after reading the reviews. But, it actually was not as bad as I was thinking. The first dose was much more tolerable than the 2nd dose. Took 1st dose at 6 pm the day before my colonoscopy and the 2nd dose at midnight. I was able to get the first dose down in about 15 minutes and took an hour to have my first movement. Caused a lot of rumbling in my stomach but wasn't too bad. However, the 2nd dose took me about 40 minutes to get down and I wasn't quite sure I'd get it all down. But, I was determined so I made it happen. Sipped ginger ale in between sips of Plenvu for both doses. After the 2nd dose I felt very nauseous with a headache. Stomach rumbled a lot and used the bathroom several times during the night. Woke up at 6:30 for my procedure and felt pretty awful due to the severe dehydration and was extremely thirsty. My recommendations are to stay hydrated the day before and drink ginger ale with med. Other drinks did not help."

• Anonymous
• May 26, 2024

For Bowel Preparation "Had taken bowel prep before and although taste was vile, did not have side effects as bad as with this. First dose was much too sweet but the second caused headache and nausea, which I hadn't had on moviprep, so I would not want to use this again if I was unfortunate enough to need to."

• Sha...
• May 15, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This is horrible! I started the prep around 5:30 pm and honestly thought I would vomit before I was able to get it all down! The taste is vile, and then I only went to the bathroom 4-5 times overnight. However, my stomach was full feeling, and I felt achy all night, very little sleep. I took the second dose early morning, and this time the taste/texture was even worse. I immediately felt nauseous. My mouth was so dry, I was dying for something to drink. This round helped me go to the bathroom more, but still not as much as I knew I should. I felt like it was all in my stomach! I was barely able to get dressed to get there from the weakness and nausea, but the test was complete! However, here I am the next day, terrible headache, stomach cramps, fatigue, still going to the bathroom! This medicine literally sucks the life out of you for days. I came home from work early today, and I’m back in bed. This medicine should be dosed out based on the size of the patient and in extreme cases only."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2024

For Bowel Preparation "Currently taking Plenvu for a procedure tomorrow and bar for it being an expected awful experience, my stomach has swollen up to 9-month pregnancy size, is bright red, and absolutely agony, particularly horrible pain in my left side at the end of my ribcage. Also have a fierce headache..."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Awful, awful!! Absolutely disgusting taste. Very hard to get down! I threw up the second dose about an hour after finishing it. Gave me a horrible headache. I was extremely dehydrated, and my procedure ended up being canceled. Would not recommend this prep!!!"

• PRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I have had a colonoscopy before, and the prep medication was so much easier than Plenvu. I did okay with the 6 pm dose, however, the 5 am dose was very hard to keep down. I had severe headaches and struggled to walk. I won't take Plenvu again. Although I note that my doctor said that Plenvu is better prep than others as far as cleaning the bowel. I won't take it next time."

• Pep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2024

For Bowel Preparation "Unpleasant taste, but expected that, salty and fake fruity taste at the same time, it helped to take large sips of water after each sip. Effect happened in about an hour, and continued for about 3 hours. I think it helped that I only had 2 slices of white toast and butter 7 hours before the first dose, and followed a strict low-fiber diet the day before the 1st dose. The worst side effect for me was having a severe headache throughout, and feeling very cold, despite it being summertime warm weather I needed lots of extra warm clothing during and after the dose. Totally exhausted on completion so ready to sleep."

• Mol...
• April 19, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This was my first colonoscopy, so I have no other prep to compare it to. Yes, it was effective, though I had started eating soft foods and drinking extra fluids a couple of days before the prep, as well as avoiding the stuff the doctor had told me to (harder-to-digest stuff like nuts, seeds, and skins, etc.). It was easy to mix. It tasted weird, like a fruit punch with a salty aftertaste. But it wasn’t nauseating. I used a drinking straw at the back of my tongue to avoid contact with my taste buds and sucked on a lemon Italian ice between sips, which really helped. It took effect almost immediately. The second dose (at 2 a.m.!) was more troublesome. I felt a bit queasy, just because of the volume of water; I felt full of water to the back teeth. And when it came time to leave for my colonoscopy at 6:15, I hadn’t finished emptying my bowel. Had a headache too. But it worked."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Right out the door, the taste of Plenvu was so abhorrent that my throat was closing against ingesting it. My nose ran, and I had sneezing attacks. After taking tiny sips, I got through it. Five hours after that dose, I awakened to a watery, soiled bed. This had not happened with other preps. Now, having finished, I am two hours from leaving for the procedure and have a pounding headache. I have had numerous colonoscopies before, and never again will I take this product."

• Ted...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I took this last Thursday PM for a colonoscopy on Friday 19th AM. The results were excellent (as reported by technician). But it was the most disgusting thing I have ever taken. I have long COVID (20 months) & zero sense of taste in all that time. But I could taste that! The 1st dose was supposed to be mango flavored but tasted more like tutti frutti. That was bad enough but the 2nd dose was worse. It was very strong marzipan! I have a zero sugar diet, so this was awful for me. After the 1st sip, I got the most almighty headache, which lasted for days! With my long COVID, I also have breathing difficulties, and Plenvu affected this badly. Also, it made my nose run. I wondered if I would manage to drink it all. I am very determined, so I persevered and followed the instructions perfectly. It is a good product and worked well, but my suggestion is to make it in nicer flavors like chocolate. People undergoing this are already in a bad place, the least you can do is make your product nicer to take."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Thought I was dying. First dose, I got terrible chills and teeth chattering uncontrollably. Second dose felt like I had the flu. Weak, headache, freezing, tried to throw up. I just wanted to lie down, but couldn’t. After all that, it failed to do its job!"

• 1st...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2025

For Bowel Preparation "I took my first Plenvu at 5 pm - mango and salt! Pretty awful, I managed to keep it down and began evacuation of bowel about an hour later. Went many times, about 10 times. Then dose 2, fruit punch, this was a real struggle and still is. I managed not to vomit, although I still feel nauseous. Bowels must be empty as fluid is pale like a well-hydrated bladder. But the evacuation is more ruthless. Even though nothing is left and losing water. There is no warning, caught short twice, and the toilet was literally 4 ft away. The emptying continues and has been ongoing since 5:45 pm, now 10:30 pm. Massive headache, can't get rid of, and unrelenting nausea. I never want to go through this again."

• 1st...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2025

For Bowel Preparation "I took my first Plenvu at 5 pm - Mango and salt! Pretty awful. I managed to keep it down and began evacuation of bowel about an hour later. Went many times, about 10 times. Then dose 2, fruit punch, this was a real struggle and still is. I managed not to vomit, although I still feel nauseous. Bowels must be empty as fluid is pale like a well-hydrated bladder. But the evacuation is more ruthless. Even though nothing is left and losing water. There is no warning, caught short twice, and the toilet was literally 4 feet away. The emptying continues and has been ongoing since 5:45 pm, now 10:30 pm. Massive headache, can't get rid of, and unrelenting nausea. I never want to go through this again."

• J A...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I would not recommend Plenvu. First dose went down OK (and stayed down), but spent the next 5-6 hours running into the bathroom. The product works but in a violent manner. I had a mild headache also. Had the second dose 8 hours later. Stomach was very upset after drinking the second dose, and after 45 minutes, I started throwing up - how lucky I was already in the bathroom due to the violent and ongoing output. In an 11-hour time period, I had 2 hours between the first and second dose that I could rest. The rest of the time was spent staying close to the bathroom and cleaning up my vomit. Not sure why the second dose was so hard on my system. When it was time to drive to my procedure (14 hours after the first dose), my system was still running, and I had a full-on headache and dry mouth. While it was effective, it's too violent and comes with too many side effects. I would not recommend this product and will not use it again - ever."

• MsE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "This is supposed to be a “salty/artificial sweetener fruit punch”? Are you kidding me? It’s far from it! Smells and tastes like what a dirty old armpit would taste like. Instant headache from all the salt. Definitely will not do this again…ever!"

• WMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I am currently dealing with this. I'm on the second dose and can't finish it, I just can't drink anymore fruity saltwater, I really want to be put out of my misery. I have dizziness, chills, nausea, and headaches. It is 4 AM, and every part of my body hurts. I'd rather stick my hand in and swish it around the toilet bowl that I'm sitting over without flushing first than drink another drop of that stuff."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Plenvu was relatively easy to take. Low volume, not like the previous gallon you had to drink. I followed directions as provided by my doctor. I had chills after taking it and a headache off and on. It started working about 20 minutes after drinking the first packet and water chaser. Seemed to be working well. My last dose was at 9 pm. My appointment was 11:30 am next morning. I was in bed by 11:15, slept well, up to go again once. Next morning I went 3 more times before 8:30 am. My last movement was at 10:30 am. I still had particles in my stool. The doctor called my prep suboptimal in his report. Easier to take, but didn’t work as well. I wasn’t allowed to drink after midnight and oddly enough, I kept having to urinate a lot in the hour prior to the colonoscopy, which was uncomfortable and embarrassing. I will not use this prep again."