Plenvu and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Jay...
• November 20, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "The reviews I read about the Plenvu prep left me anxious. I started the process yesterday at 5 p.m. and had the 2nd dose at 10 p.m. 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."

• kda...
• May 20, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "3rd time colonoscopy for me, and I can't understand 'why' this awful new product is being used! I'm lying in bed now after literally lying in the bathtub after all-day diarrhea with a raw rectal area, pouring water to rinse the area versus wiping! Plus an ongoing and still unsettled stomach. Bowel prep does not need to be this horrific. I will never use this product again! It's 1 am, and I should be sleeping, but any moment I feel I must get up and squirt some more out, and at this point, it is clear! Uhh this is terrible!!"

• Scr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I found this the best bowel prep I have tried before a colonoscopy. With bowel cancer in the family, I have to have regular checkups. Did not mind the taste, best also that it has less volume to drink than others. Effective within the hour. Second prep says start at 4:30 am, I started at 5 am. Has to be drank within the half hour and nothing to drink after 6 am. Cleared me out completely. Plus, was for me no stomach cramps, unlike the Picoprep."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I would highly recommend this prep, which I chose for my first colonoscopy. It's the lowest volume option (less to drink), and while I suspect they all taste horrible, I was able to drink this without issue (kept it cold, used a straw to minimize contact with taste buds, and sipped water to clear the aftertaste immediately). I get an upset stomach easily but didn't experience that with this prep. It was effective but with no cramping or nausea, and I didn't have to get up in the middle of the night. I did scale back on certain foods a few days prior, however, (red meat, anything with skin (onions, grapes, etc.). Doc said prep was excellent."

• 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."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "I used Plenvu to prep for a colonoscopy I had yesterday. I was extremely worried after reading the reviews that it was going to be a terrible experience (this is my second colonoscopy and used Suprep the first time). I did the 2-day split dosage. I started with the first drink around 6 pm, and by the time I finished (about 30 minutes), it was already affecting me. That lasted for about 2 hours, and then I was done…no cramping, and I slept really well through the night. I took my second drink at 4:30 am, and I had more stomach discomfort than the night before, but my doctor had also prescribed gas pills that I took after the drink, which helped. By the time we left for the hospital (around 8 am), everything was done. I was extremely cold after drinking the second drink in the morning, and that lasted for about an hour and a half, and then passed. I have a very sensitive stomach and am also prone to nausea, and I didn’t have any of those kinds of feelings/side effects."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "This is about my sixth colonoscopy but first time with Plenvu, and I will NEVER use it again! I took it at 6 pm for over an hour, as recommended (initially made me feel nauseous). Just after 7 pm, the bloating and stomach cramps started... and not just any stomach cramps. I have Crohn's disease, so I know bad stomach pain... these were akin to labor, and I'm not kidding, thought something serious was going on. After 2 hours of agony, the movements started. They were mostly over by 10:30 pm, with only 2 visits during the night. The next dose at 6 am made me want to heave again. No pain this time, was just back and forth to the loo for the next 4 to 5 hours. They say they get better results with Plenvu, but something that makes you feel that bad can't be good for you, so sticking to Moviprep!"

• Wel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "The first sachet of mango-flavored liquid was almost undrinkable and had to be consumed within 30 mins, followed by another 500 ml of plain water. The water was great compared to the first sachet. The second dose at 9:00 pm was made up of two sachets, allegedly of another 500 ml with punch fruit flavor, and was totally undrinkable. I forced myself to, but felt quite sick as it tasted not of punch fruit but some sickly chemically based sweetener. Aspartame, no doubt. The preparation has a more vigorous and longer-lasting laxative effect than other preps I have taken and gave me quite strong stomach cramps. I felt really dehydrated, exhausted, and cold even through the procedure despite drinking plenty. I started my preparation at 6 pm yesterday and was still needing the toilet at 4:00 am and then again at 9:30 this morning. This is not an improvement on previous preparations - how can this have been trialed by Norgine and considered to be an improvement?"

• ImJ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "My first colonoscopy, so this was new to me. Was supposed to start the first dose at 5 pm. I started it at 4:30. This is for the first dose. The powder smells okay, so I was thinking the taste wouldn’t be bad. But yeah, the taste is terrible. It’s like a really bad orange Gatorade. Tried to chug it. Got halfway and I needed a straw. I just took sips of water in between. Stomach started rumbling about 15 minutes after finishing it. I went about 45 minutes afterward. I sat on the toilet just in case, and I’m glad I did. So I can understand how some other situations happen."

• Sti...
• July 13, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I took the first dose at 8 pm the night before the procedure. Fruity, salty, nasty-tasting drink. I added cold water as directed. Shook it up until well mixed and started to drink it. The taste was terrible, but I got it down. I drank the 16 oz of clear liquid afterward. Nothing happened. Before I went to bed at midnight, I did have a bowel movement, just one. I got up at 2 am and mixed the 2-pack as required. It took 1/2 hour to get it down. Worst tasting than the first. I not only had a terrible time getting it down, but I had a hard time drinking the water afterward. Nausea, stomach cramps, and lightheaded, but about an hour later, I was back up in the bathroom. Thank goodness I had made it, or I would have been clearing a bed. My report time was 7 am, and I was not clear. It never cleared me. It was a bust."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I'll be looking for a way to report Plenvu in a more official way because 4 hours after my colonoscopy, I am still sprinting to the bathroom. I was sprinting to the bathroom in the colonoscopy facility, twice before and twice after the procedure, which I think is very unusual. I still have stomach cramps also. When will this end? They asked me why my blood pressure was elevated, which has not happened in the past, and I could only assume it was because I was trying to avoid a major incident with not making it to the bathroom. Absolutely horrible. I have had one other colonoscopy (in 2011), and the prep was nowhere near this bad. The taste was so bad, I was looking for ways to not throw up when taking it, like keeping ice on my forehead, using perfumes to cover up the smell, etc. I stayed 100% on an all-clear liquid diet (only Jell-O, broth, and water) for two days prior to taking Plenvu. I also got ZERO sleep after starting this with the first dose at 5 pm and second dose at 9 pm."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Horrible. The taste isn’t my issue. It wasn’t good, but I’m not complaining about that. The first dose took effect in about 1.5 hours. It definitely did its job. Nothing but water coming out. Went to bed and had to get up to drink dose 2 about 4 hours before the procedure. I decided on 5 hours before to be safe. Yeah, right! Couldn’t get off the commode at all. Made it to the doctor’s office, went twice there, and again after the IV got hooked up. Came home after the procedure and ate something. Immediately started going again. Now 10:00 pm and still can’t get off the commode. This stuff works for too long, and it is ridiculous. Never again!! Stomach cramps and feel like I’m going to throw up also."

• Lac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I was very apprehensive after reading many reviews. I talked to the doctor's staff, and she said not to drink it too fast. I followed directions carefully about eating light three days before, and although not pleasant, it hasn't been hideous either. No vomiting and little stomach gurgling. The taste was salty juice but tolerable. I drank a lot of Propel to help avoid loss of electrolytes."

• 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."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Easy to mix, easy to take, no issues with taste. Works quickly. Felt a little sick on the second dose, but only because of aspartame. Not fond of aspartame; I typically never drink 'anything' with this awful chemical, and the reason people get stomach upsets, nausea, besides the fact it's a carcinogen and should not be on the market. But sorry, I digressed; otherwise, the solution was well received. The procedure went without a hitch, and I was back to eating normally again. Of course, I will never drink anything with aspartame again unless it's this mix, since there wasn't a choice, and it worked well."

• AJo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I drank it pretty quickly, it made me nauseous. I felt like throwing up, and I felt extremely cold, but it worked very quickly. I didn't eat the day before or day of based on the instructions from the doctor's office. I started the first dose at 7:30 PM and the second dose at 7:30 AM, meanwhile, the first dose was still working when I woke up, causing stomach cramps, gurgling, nausea, and feeling extremely cold. What ingredient causes being very cold, I do not know."

• AJo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "I drank it pretty quickly, it made me nauseous. I felt like throwing up, and I felt extremely cold, but it worked very quickly. I didn't eat the day before or day of based on the instructions from the doctor's office. I started the first dose at 7:30 PM and the second dose at 7:30 AM, meanwhile, the first dose was still working when I woke up, causing stomach cramps, gurgling, nausea, and feeling extremely cold. What ingredient causes being very cold, I do not know."

• flo...
• April 21, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "HORRIBLE. I won't have another colonoscopy if I have to drink this nasty, horrible solution. I got the first dose down. The second one made me sick. I could only get about 3/4 of it down and started throwing up. I had a terrible headache and stomach cramps."

• jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "By far the worst experience I've had with my many colonoscopy preps. Tasted horrible, way too salty, could barely keep it down, stomach cramps, nausea. I was literally sick until I went for the procedure. I normally tolerate meds fine. That is my last colonoscopy unless I get a better prep!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "The thing is, it doesn’t even really taste horrible, it’s just EXTREMELY salty and your body will start to reject it if you take too long or psyche yourself out… however, I made the mistake of not just chugging the first dose, and it took me three hours to try to finish the whole thing. I threw maybe an eighth of it out because I just couldn’t do it, I gagged and my throat closed up every time I tried. The mango one, first dose, is worse than the first, but I don’t know if that’s because the flavor is slightly better or because I chugged the second dose. It will probably make your stomach hurt to do that, but I think it’s honestly better than spending 3 hours agonizing over drinking a cup of medicine. I kept a small cup of apple juice and my cold water bottle nearby to chase it down, and I drank it with an ice cube and a straw. Anybody struggling, don’t think about it, just get into the rhythm of swallowing (lol)"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Dose #1. I started it about 2 pm, on the advice of my nurse neighbor to stave off any accidents as a result of my 2 am dose and 1.5-hour train commute to my appointment. Thick liquid, very sweet, but I rushed through it, 15-20 min. I had my first gut-wrenching stomach ache about 1 hour 20 minutes in. About 30 minutes for a first movement. Gut-wrenching continued off and on for about 1.5 hours. I had a few more BMs for 2 hours after taking it. (I did eat some crackers in between doses 1 & 2). Second dose, at about 2 am was as sweet and gag provoking, but I didn’t. I did get a gut-wrenching stomach ache, but not as severe as the first time. This time it was steady for about 3 hours, every 20 minutes, but has watery yellow results in the end. I was able to sleep for about 2 more hours before departing. My doctor was pleased. This preparation isn't pleasant, but it beats finding out you have something preventable 2 years late."