Plenvu and Vomiting: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I followed the instructions exactly as prescribed, as well as switched to a low-fiber diet, avoided foods on the do not eat list (nuts, fruits with seeds/skins, legumes, etc.). The day before I had a breakfast of 2 boiled eggs and a potato roll with a little soy butter. After that, it was nothing but clear liquids. I took my first prep dose and within an hour, it seemed to be working. I took the 2nd dose, and this one almost made me vomit as I felt faint. I had nothing to drink after my 2nd dose and still did not have a successful colonoscopy. I now have to go back for a second one in a few weeks... aaaggghhhhh!!!"

• ARa...
• January 7, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Took my first dose, it was horrible tasting. I could barely take a sip without gagging in disgust. I got a method of a sip of the medicine, then a sip of apple juice going, and that worked. About 8 hours later, I started my second dose, which surprisingly tasted even worse than the first dose. I drank half, and after 5 minutes, projectile vomited everything. I waited about 10 minutes and finished the rest and laid down, thinking I would be fine. Nope, as soon as I got back up, I projectile vomited the rest again. Hopefully, I will still be able to have my procedure, but seeing as I threw up all of dose 2, I’m not sure how that will go. 0/10 would not recommend, if you have any other options, please go with those."

• Els...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "This was the worst thing I have ever experienced. I took the first dose at 6 pm, nothing started happening until 10 pm, and I then spent the whole night on the toilet. No sleep whatsoever. I was shivery and dizzy and felt quite unwell. The second dose was taken at 6 am, I promptly threw up most of this, which the nurse told me was quite common. The Plenvu is by far the nastiest thing I have ever tasted. I did not feel as if I was completely empty, and this was confirmed at the hospital."

• Ano...
• April 11, 2025

For Bowel Preparation "Had Plenvu for colonoscopy, the last 2 times was given MoviPrep. Firstly, it tastes vile, especially the 2nd dose, but I was pleased that the amount you have to drink is only 500 ml (twice), which is a lot less than other brands. My opinion is make it up first, leave it to chill in the fridge, then sip it slowly over 60 mins, it started to work really quickly once I'd finished it. The 2nd dose is a different story (well, it was for me!) I tried to drink it as I'd done with the first dose but felt sick pretty quickly, kept going but vomited most of it back, I was panicking because I didn't want the procedure to fail, so I left it at least an hour and started again with what I'd got left, approximately half, sipped it extremely slow and with each sip drank a lot of water immediately after. This took ages to get down but it stayed down, it did prolong the loo trips well into the night though (morning appointment). My procedure went well and my bowel was the clearest it's ever been, so it was worth it, just about!"

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "So far, (after first dose, before second) satisfactory. Finished first dose, followed with equal volume of water. Not a great taste, but no gagging or nausea. No other side effects. Liquid bowel movements at 1 and 2 hours after. No anal area problems. May have helped that my instructions included a three-day low fiber diet, then only clear liquids 36 hours before the first dose, and Dulcolax laxative 24 hours before the first dose, so my system was already empty. Also, I weigh 265 lb, so effects possibly different than for smaller people."

• eld...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "I thought the second dose was going to kill me before I had even drunk 2/3 of it. I was nauseated and lightheaded. I took a sip of decaffeinated tea, which was quickly followed by simultaneous projectile vomiting and diarrhea. I am so angry that I don't intend to ever have another colonoscopy, let alone attempt to ingest this product EVER again."

• Not...
• September 24, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Getting ready for colonoscopy and unsuccessfully tried Go-Lightly before. My doctor said to mix with Sprite or Gatorade. I did and used the container provided, put the Sprite in, then Plenvu, and it erupted all over the countertop without stirring or shaking. I was excited to try this new prep, since my family has a history of colon cancer, this is a necessary evil. First gulp, I was horrified! It was so nasty tasting! I tried a few sips and got very nauseous. I wanted this to work, so I added apple juice too. Much easier, but still gagging. I finished it, added more apple juice, and just couldn’t finish the last inch of liquid in the bottom of the container. Very, very slow acting! It has been 4 1/2 hours, and my insides are rumbling, but not much else. I am very disappointed."

• DLT...
• November 8, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I get nausea and motion sickness very easily. For me, any bowel prep is going to be a challenge. With this in mind, I took some anti-nausea medicine before the first dose (4 mg Ondansetron). That worked well. The second dose was 14 hours after the first. It didn't taste or smell too bad. The ascorbic acid taste (vitamin C) helped a lot. I didn't take any anti-nausea meds for Dose 2. Ninety minutes later, I had forceful vomiting. Cleaning it up at 3:30 a.m. helped to take my mind off the bloating! :-) I had to run several more times up to 4 1/2 hours after starting the second dose. The procedure went smoothly and the endoscopist said that the prep was great, despite the fact that I probably threw up half of the second dose. Next time, I will ask for enough anti-nausea meds to cover both doses of bowel prep. I suggest that others consider this if they are prone to nausea and vomiting. Even good doctors don't think of meds, as less than 10% of people throw up with bowel prep."

• fla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Never had problems with GoLightly. Dr. insisted on Plenvu even though I said I did not want it or the out-of-pocket cost of $50. Packet #1 tastes worse than GoLightly. Plus, I projectile vomited after the bottle of water. Also, my nose started running immediately with the first taste. I used an entire box of Kleenex. Did not want to miss my colonoscopy. Had already had to reschedule. So I used Magnesium Citrate to replace the first packet, which was vomited. I have no reaction to this $2 per bottle drug either. Waited required time and took the 2nd packet. Tasted better, but I never made it through the whole bottle without having to throw up again. Even though I had watery diarrhea all night, I got sent home the next morning for 'poor bowel prep.' I did get a FREE bottle of GoLightly this time. This will be my last attempt at a colonoscopy, which has never bothered me before Plenvu."

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "By far the most disgusting bowel prep I have taken (5 in all). The taste was horrible, even while plugging my nose. Try as I might, I could not choke down all of the second glass and wound up throwing up most of what I did drink. I will never take it again."

• Tex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2024

For Bowel Preparation "This is my first colonoscopy prep at 52 years old. Felt it was time with a few people around me with cancer. I better get in and get checked. After reading all the reviews, I wanted to add mine to the list for people like me who are anxious and scared. My heart rate was 130 when I started drinking the stuff. Listen, I have had a good experience thus far. Your diet and fluid intake make a HUGE difference. I made homemade soup: chicken bone broth, roast chicken, carrots, celery, onion, and squash. I ate that 3 days before my procedure. The day before, I ate NOTHING. Just had water. I drank 6 bottles of water, 16.9 oz. I fixed the drink 4 hours ahead of time and put it in the refrigerator. I used a straw and drank the liquid over 45 mins. I did not refill the same container. I drank another 16 oz of water in between sips. Started at 4:30 pm. By 5:15 pm, I had my first movement. No cramping. No nausea, no vomiting. You can do it! It’s not as bad as most make it out! Prep well."

• CCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "First time using this product, Plenvu. Got the first dose down, but the mango flavor is awful. Started working within the hour. After many trips to the bathroom (over about a 7-hour period), I was finally able to rest. The second dose was worse. Could not keep it down and ended up vomiting most of it up an hour later. Feel dizzy and clammy. I hope the first dose and part of the second does the trick!!"

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I'm a 29-year-old getting a colonoscopy done. I have had plenty of other preps to take, which was a lot to drink, never a pleasant taste. The Plenvu one is much less to drink, it tastes horrible. All I taste when I drink this is salt! Makes me gag and threw up after the first dose was done. The first one tastes like mango, the second dose tastes like fruit punch. I’m actually drinking the second dose now as I write this. It doesn’t get any better, the taste doesn’t linger around in your mouth. After taking the first dose, it started to work about an hour or two after. It took me about an hour to drink this! They need to come up with a pill that does the same job."

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I am a fit 79-year-old. Walk 10 kilometers a day minimum. I weigh 51 kilograms. From the moment I started taking this obnoxious, aggressive Plenvu, I had diarrhea within the hour. Persevered with it. Vomited and diarrhea constantly until I was helped onto the theater table the next day. Had my colonoscopy (my 5th). I was and am still severely dehydrated. Rehydrated at A & E. I think this horrific drug dosage should be administered according to the weight of the patient. There is no doubt it was too much for my weight of 51 kilograms. I will NEVER take it again. Home ill in bed can only take liquids like Aquarius, electrolyte mixes, and tea."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This is my 2nd colonoscopy, and I found Plenvu horrendous. It tasted so much like toxic chemicals I threw up several times trying to drink it. I have a strong stomach and can eat or drink anything. This was terrible. It also made me sicker than my first prep for colonoscopy. Also, you have to get up in the middle of the night for the second dose, so you get no sleep. I would never take this again. Don’t let your doctor give this to you. Trust me. You will regret it."

• Son...
• September 7, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "With this prep, I found the taste not as bad as others. The prep worked as soon as I finished with the follow-up of 16 oz water, kept up for an hour and a few times after. Stool very dark brown and smelly. After the second dose same, sat for an hour until I thought I could try to sleep some, but during my sleep, I passed more fluid! The color of stool remained dark until just before I left for the exam and then yellow. Even after I got to the examination, I was still passing stool, and some was still in my colon during the exam. Had nausea and dry heaves after the second dose, which continued after I was at the doctor's office, very dry mouth, blood pressure up and blood sugar up very high, I am diabetic. Overall, it did work, but never before with different preps did the passing of stool continue as long as this did. So side effects and length of time my bowels were active plus not a complete cleaning are my concerns."

• Tan...
• October 5, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I wrote before, and yes, in the night, I frequently went and so had very little sleep. I completely drank all the Plenvu but vomited the second batch and did keep drinking squash throughout. The next morning felt windy and still slightly nauseous. Examination was okay. Had a nap later and felt better then. Next day feel fine."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Both doses of Plenvu were disgusting. They tasted like saltwater. I thought I was going to throw up the first dose, but I did not. The second dose, however, I threw up 10 minutes after finishing. I will never drink this again. Horrible experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I took the first Plenvu dose at 5 pm, and about 15 minutes later, I was already flushing my system. The first dose experience was not bad at all. No stomach pain or anything (I did have anti-nausea meds), the only problem was there really was no warning when I would have to go. The second dose I took at 5 am, I got about 1/4 of it down and then puked 5 times. I wasn’t able to finish it."

• Bud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "It was very effective cleaning out bowels; however, Plenvu's taste was awful. Second dose tasted a tiny bit better than the first dose. I threw up all of the second dose after 25 minutes of finishing it. I would never use this prep again because of the horrible taste."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "The taste of the first dose was unpleasant but tolerable, and it started working within an hour. I had to use the restroom twice, but it wasn't uncomfortable as a significant amount of liquid was eliminated. The second dose was one of the most repulsive drinks I've ever tasted; it felt like they mixed a pile of sugar and salt and barely added enough water to dissolve it. The taste was so overpowering that it was a mental struggle to finish it, and I feared that I might vomit, which would negate my efforts of following a miserable diet for the past few days. To get through it, take your time, hold your nose, and rinse your mouth with water or juice after each sip. The second dose started working about 90 minutes after consumption, at around 10 pm and continued throughout the night and into the morning."

• Nau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "I drank the first dose and 30 minutes later began vomiting. I’m not able to have the colonoscopy because it did not stay in my system. Be forewarned: it is awful. Extremely salty but also sour with a viscous texture. I managed to get it down, only to get nauseated."

• Ple...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "I've attempted a few colonoscopies before - all with poor results because of my intolerance to the bowel prep. I was determined to get a good result this time and to give the doctor the best view she could get. I read countless reviews and gleaned the following tips: 1. Chill the Plenvu, 2. Add crushed ice blocks before drinking. Have iced Sprite and/or soda water, tap water, and Woolworths lemonade icy poles on hand. (Some people like black tea or coffee as well.) 6. Take a sip of Plenvu and while you still have Plenvu in the straw, sip some Sprite. Place the straw as far back on your tongue as possible. Swallow and chug down some normal water. Munch on the icy pole every few sips. I found the second dose harder - eventually did half and half Plenvu/Sprite (in small quantities), chasing it with water. I still threw up some of the second dose, but the first dose did most of the work. Good result and don't have to face the ordeal for five years. Good luck!"

• Tan...
• October 3, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Started at 6 pm for early morning colonoscopy. I thought the mango flavor was okay and managed to drink extra easily. Then I struggled with the horrid fruit punch flavor that made me nauseous. I finished it, and then 5 minutes later, I vomited. Finally, I passed the first watery stools an hour later. I'm gurgling now, another hour later, after a few more motions, so I expect I will go again during the night."

• Oh ...
• August 17, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Everyone's experience will be different, and I was determined to be positive, but they couldn't have made a worse-tasting prep if they tried! Ghastly. Stage one tasted nasty but worked. Stage two (commenced 5 a.m.) had a truly dreadful taste and mixture so concentrated it makes you vomit. Instructions say to take over half an hour, but the nurse said later it's better to take Stage 2 over one hour or you do get nausea. Sipped both stages through a straw to get it down and chewed gum after every sip to take the taste away. 3rd time endoscopy, would go back to Moviprep next time. It's awful too, but not as bad as Plenvu. Rating based on effectiveness, doctors prefer it apparently."