Polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Mom...
• July 21, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "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 expected 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."

• 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."

• Bob...
• February 20, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "My experience was a breeze. Took 1st dose the day before at 2:30 pm, had a significant 'diarrhea' bowel movement about 30 m later, not much. No sitting on the toilet for hours, no soiling my pants... Got up at 4:15 am 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 16 oz in 3 big gulps. No biggie. Drank an extra gallon over the prep time: tea, water, Gatorade, chicken stock... Stopped 2 h before the procedure. Everyone is different, but it was hassle-free for me"

• A...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Took my first dose of MoviPrep at 6 am in preparation for my colonoscopy. Difficult guzzling my liter of prep that early. Drank it down over the next hour while dozing. Awoke at 10 am to prepare for the second liter dose. Still nothing. All of a sudden, there came a gripping tummy pain. Dashed to the bathroom and had a brown jetwash. Done. Thirty minutes later, another gripping pain. Dashed to the bathroom and had a yellow jetwash. Done. Thirty minutes later, another gripping pain. Dashed to the bathroom and had a clear jetwash. Done. Ordeal over. No major issues. I'm more evacuated than a London kid during WW2."

• Rot...
• October 23, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Prep for my first colonoscopy. Mixed as directed with lukewarm water and started drinking. Taste got better after a while in the fridge. I was not looking forward to this based on everything I had heard. Started working about 1 1/2 hours after I started drinking. Honestly, not that bad. Tastes like a thick Gatorade (I added the lemon pack it came with). I mean, of course, having diarrhea overnight is not fun, but I was expecting a horrible experience. Just start off with a good mindset and get it done! Good luck to all!"

• Oka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Mixed up the Plenvu dose 1 the day before I was supposed to take it, and then noticed the instruction not to mix more than 6 hours before taking. Stuck it in the freezer and called the hotline. They said it would taste weird and not be effective, but agreed freezing it was a good idea and told me to call the doctor in the morning. The doctor’s office said, “no problem, just shake it up.” Thawed and took as directed that evening. It tasted horrible, but thanks to this forum I knew that was normal. Also learned from this forum that using a straw and drinking apple juice between bouts of the prep drink helps get it down. Within an hour or so, the prep took effect. Several episodes of watery diarrhea over the next 4 hours, with half-hour gaps. A few hours of sleep, then more diarrhea at 3 am and time for dose 2, mixed fresh. It was thicker and harder for me to get down. Eventually, I threw it all up, but the prep was successful anyway - phew. Will probably ask for different prep next time."

• Dev...
• July 17, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I did the GoLYTELY prep and not Miralax because it has the electrolytes, and there is evidence that it does a better job at bowel lavage. Take 4 tablespoons of olive oil orally hours prior to prep. There are studies out of Turkey and Mexico showing that olive oil produces a better prep, especially in the right colon. Eat a low-residue diet for days beforehand. Switch to smoothies 24 hours before the procedure. Have your colonoscopy in the afternoon, and start your prep in the early morning. I stopped having smoothies before bedtime and started prep at 4 am. Want to help your GoLYTELY go down easily? Mix 6 fluid ounces of prep with 2 fluid ounces of clear broth. The prep is salty, and you'll only taste broth. Warm it up! Make it cozy. Have coconut water in between glasses of prep. Between my diarrhea and these tips, I needed a liter of prep. And I got a 9 for my bowel cleanliness. Results may vary!"

• Div...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Diagnosed in 2001 with diverticulitis, and being past a certain age (now need to screen for colon cancer), I have much experience with these procedures. That being said, Plenvu is the worst GI prep ever! Go-Lytely is much better, it works more efficiently. Heck, anything else is better (Miralax or even magnesium citrate). This stuff could make a maggot gag. Diarrhea achieved, but vomiting is not necessary for a colonoscopy. Caused needless suffering... Never again!"

• CRa...
• November 9, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I survived colorectal cancer in 2007 and have a shortened colon as a result of the surgeries. I have had a number of colonoscopies since then, the preps have been uncomfortable but tolerable. Plenvu was the most horrible bowel preparation experience and most painful ever! I had shooting diarrhea all night long. My poor sister, my caregiver, spent from midnight until 5 a.m. changing my bed, cleaning me, and cleaning the bathroom, over and over again. Then the vomiting started! I was SOOO dehydrated, I was weak and could hardly walk. I never even took the second dose, and we almost called for an ambulance to get to the ER. We had to cancel the colonoscopy. When my sister explained what had happened, they said they would give her something else for prep, something 'not as harsh.' Harsh was a huge understatement!!!! NEVER again!!!"

• Suz...
• January 16, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "This was my first time using this prep for a colonoscopy. One hour after the first dose, I started having explosive diarrhea. This continued through the second dose and throughout the night. I got no sleep. I started becoming nauseous, weak, and began having burning pain on my skin wherever the diarrhea fluid touched the skin on my bottom. By morning, I could not touch the skin without excruciating pain. I was so weak by the time I got to the surgery center for the procedure, I requested a wheelchair. Having done previous preps for colonoscopies, I cannot recommend Plenvu. It was much too harsh on my body. It is now 2 days since my procedure, and I am still recovering from the pain and exhaustion from using Plenvu."

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

For Bowel Preparation "The doctor said this was a new medication and it would be easier than last time. Last time, it was simple. No side effects. I don’t know which meds he gave. Right now, I am soooo ill. It felt like a 9 out of 10. Like the stomach flu. Diarrhea and vomiting. This was after the second dose. I NEVER felt this with the other meds. Today, after the colonoscopy, if I can even make it there, I will find out the other meds."

• Ali...
• November 22, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Though effective, the side effects of Plenvu were too unpleasant. Although I started my liquid diet 48 hours prior to the procedure, I had a total of 16 explosive bowel movements, 8 the day before the procedure after dose one and 8 the second day till the time of the procedure. Also, in the morning, I was throwing up and having diarrhea at the same time. Compared to other preps I have taken in the past, Plenvu was much harder on my body. I will avoid taking it next time I have to do a colonoscopy."

• 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!!"

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "The worst bowel prep I have ever tried. I’ve had two colonoscopies before with no problems. Back on my feet the next day. Not this time!! Managed dose 1 but could not keep down dose 2. Violent vomiting. Had to cancel the colonoscopy. Two days later, I can’t eat; still have horrible cramping and watery stools. I’m pretty tough, but this has tipped me over the edge. And without having the actual procedure!! Hate to think what state I’d be in if I had dose 2!!! Do not take this!!"

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

For Bowel Preparation "This was to be my 3rd colonoscopy, but I ended up in the hospital 12 hours after starting Dose 1 at 5 pm. It worked quickly and thoroughly, but by 10 pm I experienced unrelenting abdominal cramping, which worsened throughout the night. I called my internist, who said this wasn’t normal. I couldn’t hold down any fluids, and the cramps were excruciating. By 5 am I went to the ER. Morphine finally helped. But when they gave me a big potassium pill and a glass of water, the excruciating cramping returned. More morphine helped. They then admitted me to the hospital until I could eat a clear diet without suffering. By 6 pm I was able to do so. It’s 3 days later. I’m slowly beginning to eat solids. Still runny stools and intestinal gurgling. I do not recommend Plenvu. The doctor gave me a sample Plenvu because I’m a kidney donor, but he later said because it’s low volume, it’s more concentrated/harsh."

• cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I started taking GaviLyte-G in prep for my colonoscopy. I had to drink 2 liters the night before and 2 liters the morning of. I drank the 2 liters in 2 hours as directed and then began to vomit. After vomiting, I did have diarrhea for several hours. The taste was pretty nasty. It tasted like baking soda, salt, and metal. It was difficult to drink, but I continued to meet the guidelines of 8 oz every 15 minutes in order to consume the 2 liters in the prescribed 2 hours. Having this much liquid in such a short time caused bloating and nausea."

• 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."

• mot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I have no idea where some folk get their MoviPrep from, but I'm in the UK and got it free through the NHS to use in preparation for an endoscopy to check my bowels. First off, the taste was fine - just like a powdered lemon juice - absolutely no problems drinking it - in fact, I enjoyed watching TV whilst sipping it! It took about 1.5 hours before I had my first toilet visit, but at no time was I concerned that I might lose control. My stools became watery after the second visit and continued that way for about 10 or more visits. To my surprise, I went to bed about 2 hours after my last drink, I didn't have to get up in the night. In the morning, slight watery movement and then went to the hospital. The surgeon said that my bowel was clear."

• Jel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I had a colonoscopy yesterday and was so afraid. I was very anxious over taking MoviPrep as I had read all the horror stories. It was nowhere near as bad as expected. Sure, the taste is vile, but I used a straw, drank it chilled, and paced myself and followed each mouthful with apple juice. The bowel prep was effective, and despite horror stories, I found that the loose stools were urgent and frequent but not uncontrollable. I stayed near the bathroom and read a lot or watched TV. Colonoscopy and prep, although not pleasant, not quite the ordeal I expected."

• Ugl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2014

For Bowel Preparation "I'm having to use MoviPrep for the 1st time today, in readiness for the endoscopic examination of my complete digestive system, in the hope of getting a diagnosis of why I became badly iron deficient. I followed the instructions as were given to me by the hospital. 1st dose at 17:00 hrs, and the 2nd at 20:00. Things have started to work, going straight to the watery stool stage as warned. The taste isn't too unpleasant, just a bit salty, I didn't find the need to chill it as some suggest."

• Anonymous
• December 26, 2010

For Constipation, Chronic "I have my colonoscopy tomorrow - started my prep at 7, got all the medicine down like instructed. Literally, 10 minutes after the first liter, I was on the toilet. To be honest, haven't really left yet. Just about to start the 2nd liter and wondering how I will do it. I don't see myself honestly getting it all down - but I do know once I start to run 'clear' I am quitting. I'm going from diarrhea to severe constipation. I can't seem to get my bowels on track and haven't for 2 months now. Only 35, so hoping it's just diet-related. Good luck to anyone in my shoes."

• wha...
• February 7, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I downed my first liter of MoviPrep nearly two hours ago. As most folk on here say, it tastes vile and has left me feeling nauseous. Within 10 mins of finishing the first liter, I experienced explosive diarrhea, which carried on for another hour, by which time I was just pooing water. So I suppose it has worked, but I'm now dreading the next liter, as the bloating is very painful. I hope the prep works okay for my colonoscopy, which I'm having late tomorrow morning."

• Anonymous
• June 21, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Okay. I’m giving it a 10 because it was immensely effective in my experience. I was fasting 5 days prior (eating twice daily barely), and I am underweight. I couldn’t fathom having an endoscopy with a colonoscopy the same day, so it ruined my appetite anyway. This drink is horrible by itself. I need a catcher with it; clear Gatorade worked for me. The drink started to work after one glass. I have little to no side effects. The obvious one is diarrhea. Surprisingly, I have no abdominal pain. I feel like vomiting, but it ends up being only gas. My advice is to eat light and get Zofran. I think without Zofran I couldn’t drink this without vomiting."

• 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."