Polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes and Pain: What Users Say

• Sue...
• July 22, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "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 flavored, 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!"

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Advice, advice, advice!!!! Completed first ever MoviPrep for colonoscopy. Things you will find out: it doesn’t taste great. It works, and you can’t wait until it’s over. Things you should know: get soft toilet paper, have disposable wipes, and use Vaseline. Your bum is going to get irritated because of the frequency of movements and wiping. Honestly, the worst part was the pain from my irritated bum (outside of the drinking of the prep). I started at 12 pm and did the second dose at 6 pm. It’s constant bathroom trips, so be ready. But I could honestly say that if I had known to have the things I listed when I started this, it would have been a lot more tolerable. I wish someone would have told me..."

• She...
• May 28, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "There is only one word for this bowel preparation: NASTY. Please listen to the reviews. I have had three colonoscopies and never have I been in so much pain. I actually felt like my stomach would explode, and the cramps were unbelievable. I contemplated going to the ED and called the hospital. After a few hours on the toilet, it has settled a little. I am probably NOT going to take the second dose and postpone. This stuff might be successful for some, but it shouldn't be this bad for others."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "This was much easier than expected. First, I went on a low fiber diet two days before taking it. One day (from midnight) before the procedure, I went on a clear liquid diet with no solid food. Then, I took GL at about 6 PM. No reaction until the seventh 8-ounce glass of GL. Then it did the job it's designed to do. No pains or cramps. The solution was cold, and I got each glass down as fast as comfortably possible. Taste? I didn't notice anything bad about it and did not add any flavoring. It's like drinking a lot of water. Maybe they should have a beer flavor to make it go down even easier."

• Mov...
• April 29, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "I have had to have several colonoscopies over the years and have always been given Picolax. I was slightly concerned with the MoviPrep as there was a lot to drink. However, if you pace yourself over, say, an hour, it's fine. Make sure it's cold and maybe suck a Halls menthol sweet with it. It works quickly and much less pain and discomfort than with the Picolax. I had it at 5 pm, went to the toilet a lot up until about 10 pm, then actually had a night's sleep. Next morning the same amount again, toilet for about another 4 hours, then off to the hospital. I seemed to be able to keep more hydrated with this preparation than with the Picolax as I did not feel so rotten and sick. Much more comfortable experience all around."

• ETa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "I just started bowel prep. I have been scared all day reading online comments about how bad it tastes and how it makes people throw up and gag. THIS STUFF DOESN'T EVEN TASTE BAD??!?!?! It's actually borderline sugary and good. Wow... I can't believe I got scared of reading online comments. I'll never do that again. This stuff is not so bad whatsoever! I'll post another update when I start going to see if it causes cramps/bloating/pain/nausea."

• npa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Did the two-day dose for a colonoscopy prep. This is my first one, so no basis of comparison (except my wife used something else and gave me a heads-up about the process). Dose one is done the day before the procedure. After looking online, I made sure that the water used was as cold as possible, and I had some plain water to wash down the taste. I also drank it through a straw, which helped. The taste was like concentrated Gatorade. Not something I would drink normally, but not bad. I drank another 16 oz of water to wash it down. After 1 hour, the 'waterworks' began. The second dose was about 4 hours before the procedure, so I had to wake up early in the morning. Similar process, similar taste. After another 30 minutes, more waterworks. No pain, no gassiness. The doctor was happy with the cleanliness of my bowels, so I guess it did what it was supposed to do. Not sure about all the bad reviews, since I had heard horror stories about other treatments which required much more effort."

• Ann...
• May 31, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Drinking my 2nd dose now of MoviPrep. First one was okay, started at 6 pm, from 7 pm - 8 pm bowel movements, mainly dirty water. At 9:30 pm again one visit in the toilet. Then I slept, with a lot of rumbling in my stomach. In the morning, one small watery-dirty movement. Now drinking it again. It's the second time I have a colonoscopy with MoviPrep. My experience says: 1) Don't drink it cold. It may taste better, but I get more cramps and pain when it's cold. I drink it lukewarm and chase every sip with lukewarm green tea. Before each sip, I put a slice of lemon on my tongue and a slice of ginger. 2) Use water to wash your butt, not toilet paper or wet wipes. Wiping makes my butt hurt very much. Wet wipes don't work for me, it still irritates, maybe even more, 'cause wipes give me an allergic reaction. So, I wash it with water each time, and when clean, I put a lot of Vaseline. My first colonoscopy went fine, I was well prepared. I hope today will be the same."

• Gio...
• March 19, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "Just wanted to let everyone know this stuff wasn't bad at all... it didn't even taste horrible. Just had a really strong lemonade taste. No aftertaste. Just make sure to add lemonade Crystal Light and chill before taking. Took first dose of 32 oz at 1 pm... downed it in 10 mins. After, started having bowel movements throughout the day. No pain or bloating, just lots of intestinal rumbling. My second dose, took at 5 am... this one took a little bit longer to drink, maybe about 40 mins since it was so early... taking the 16 oz of water was much harder. But did it! Had a few more movements for about 4 hrs, and was ready! I was so terrified the day I picked up the mix, literally cried thinking it was going to be bad. But it wasn't. Best prep."

• def...
• July 27, 2015

For Bowel Preparation "Preps are not hard to do or scary. Not my first prep. I find just drinking it quickly was the best way, followed by a swig of Gatorade or ginger ale to kill any salty aftertaste. To protect from getting sore from wiping so many times, I use a little hemorrhoid cream down there, and it works great protecting me from all that dry toilet paper. (Just make sure you use the cream BEFORE you get sore down there!) Patting with TP instead of wiping also helps if you would get sore. Good luck!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Ok, it does taste awful. This is what helped... First, hold your nose while you are drinking it. Also, breathe through your mouth. Second, have some Sprite or other drink ready to chase it. Third, have something in which to vomit, because you may vomit. Fourth, be near a toilet. Fifth, have some really soft toilet paper ready. A lot of toilet paper. Overall, it wasn’t the worst thing I have had to do, but it is definitely on the list. I did feel extremely nauseous after and weak. My entire digestive tract felt like it was on fire, and my anus was very sore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I'm doing MoviPrep for a colonoscopy and drank 80% between 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Really, really struggled to keep it down and keep drinking. At first, it seemed like a nicer Lemsip, but the more you drink, the worse it gets. It's very salty and artificially sweet (which I hate). It's 9 p.m. and just starting the second liter. So far, a lot of pain and rumbles but no bowel movements."

• Nut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I had to use this before my colonoscopy, and after hearing about it and reading, I had really worked myself up, but I didn’t need to, it was no problem at all. I took the first MoviPrep dose at 5 pm and started on the loo at 6. I just sat there for 90 mins, there isn’t much point in getting off the toilet! I was in bed by 8:45, all done. I woke up at 5:30 and started the 2nd dose, it began working at 7:15 am and was done by 9:15 am. I had no stomach cramps or pains, and I wasn’t sick. I made it up a few hours beforehand and chilled it. It does get harder to drink the longer you take, and it took me about 75 mins to drink the full litre. By the end of the first dose, it was just yellow clear water coming out, so I wasn’t even sure I needed the second dose, but I took it anyway. I do suffer from IBS-D, so I’m not sure if that’s why it was easier for me."

• Che...
• April 21, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "After 2 days on a low-fiber diet, on the 3rd day I mixed this with a small amount of orange squash in the afternoon and kept it in the fridge to chill. I began to drink it at 5 pm through a straw, the taste is okay. Around 7:20 pm, after drinking water, it began to work and boy, what a result. It felt like a flush of water coming out the other end. This lasted until 10:30 pm and I went to bed at 11 pm, no problems, slept all night. I had the colonoscopy with gas and air, at times it did hurt, but keep puffing the gas and air and in no time it was over. Bowel normal, thankfully. You will not be allowed to eat after 9 am the day before the morning procedure, but drink Lucozade, it fills you up so you don't feel hungry. MoviPrep fills you up too, it was quite a struggle to keep drinking it all."

• Mov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2013

For Bowel Preparation "Pros: Cleans out colon well without pain, cramping. Cons: Cost, taste. Best colonoscopy prep I've ever taken. The taste isn't great, but then what prep is? Follow the tips others have posted, and drinking the MoviPrep will be easier. I'd use this again."

• Klg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Used it for a bowel prep before a hysterectomy. You have to drink it fast. I got distracted with the first glass and drank it too slow. Got off to a bad start. I had horrible stomach bloating and pain while I was drinking. It took about 2 1/2 hours for me to start going. My bum is on fire, but I am mostly clear and just liquid coming out. Also, made me very nauseous. There has got to be a better way."

• Mon...
• May 20, 2016

For Bowel Preparation "Medicine is disgusting, though it definitely works. Be prepared to stay at home very close to the toilet. It worked for me within 40 minutes. Have sudocrem to hand, as your derrière will get sore and very red and tender. Good luck if you need to take this medication. My sympathy is with you. God bless."

• lep...
• February 20, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "1900 hrs. First dose. (Could taste better! But found it easier to get down the colder it was.) 40 mins later, blast off. Then every 30 mins or so, back on the loo. 12:45 am next morning, chanced going to bed for a few hrs. Big mistake! 02:30 am rush to loo and afterwards, hand wash bed linen - I recommend putting some towel in your bed!! ): Stayed up after that as had to take second dose at 4:00 am. All in all, I must have visited the loo about 10 or 12 times (stayed on it from 4:15 am to 6:00 am). At the hospital 08:00 am and had the procedure. Did not want any pain relief as did not want to have to wait until the next day to drive (although they did put a needle in the back of my hand just in case), but was pretty much pain free. Hope this helps those about to take the plunge (:"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "After reading some of these reviews, I was very worried about taking Plenvu, fully prepared to have the worst night of my life. Quite the opposite! The taste is really not bad at all. I took heed of the advice of others (use a straw and cold water), and it was totally fine. Bowel movements started within 30 minutes for me. Up and down to the bathroom, of course, but no pain, nausea, or other side effects. Super pain-free and straightforward. (Wet wipes helped!) I ate pretty lightly in the days leading up, which might've helped too. Good luck to everyone, you'll be fine :)"

• trn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2017

For Bowel Preparation "I had read a lot of negative reviews about MoviPrep and was terrified of the stuff. In reality, it was straightforward to use, fairly palatable (better than soluble aspirin), and the results were not as unpleasant as my chronic IBS symptoms. I recommend mixing the solution with a cordial (ginger worked well) and drinking through a straw. Do not take large mouthfuls of it. The first dose might take between 3-4 hours to take effect. Don't worry - it will! Just make sure you take the sedation for your procedure. I did not, and it was incredibly painful. Curiously, for a few weeks after the MoviPrep and colonoscopy, I experienced no IBS symptoms - it has been 6 weeks now, and they've returned, unfortunately."

• Gah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Okay... Taste: not great. A bit like a syrupy/metallic taste. Just drink it very quickly and you’ll be okay. I drank mine within about 10 minutes. Makes you feel slightly nauseous drinking it that quickly, but it’s much better than messing around and drinking it slowly. Bowel movements started about 20 minutes after drinking. You basically just pass liquids. I probably went to the toilet 5 or 6 times during 1 and a half hours after finishing the drink. Didn’t need to run to the toilet, or sit in the bathroom for the duration. You can feel that you need to go and you can go at your leisure. The second dose seemed to work quicker, within probably 5 minutes of finishing the drink. Again, over a 1.5 hour spell, I probably went around 6 times - passing liquids only. Use wet wipes, whack some cream on, and you’ll be okay. You get sore towards the end, but it has to be done."

• Caz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "By far the best bowel prep I've ever used. Almost went to emergency the last time using another product due to severe cramping and pain. This time I used Bi-Peglyte 2 liters. The day prior, I ate a soft diet only. Only took one of the pre-night pills due to the fact I always have a bowel movement in the mornings anyway. Tastes awful, but just quickly guzzled it every 20 minutes. Very gentle with zero pain discomfort. Was dreading it, but it turned out to be a breeze. A+."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "GoLYTELY is poison, it destroyed my colon and my life. I'm still suffering horribly three months after taking GoLYTELY before a colonoscopy. Had to go to the emergency room, painkillers prescribed. They still cannot diagnose what happened. Horrible cramping, still unable to exert myself without intense pain. Life has deteriorated to either lying in bed constantly or in bed. Can barely be mobile for more than 30 minutes. DO NOT TAKE, it is poison."

• Por...
• January 27, 2018

For Bowel Preparation "Went for a colonoscopy yesterday! After taking the MoviPrep the day before, I took it exactly as stated, and I thought it tasted okay, lemon. It cleared me out completely, I even took the dogs out later, but I drank it very quickly. I had sedation for my op, but the pain was bad due to air being blown up, had banding done, no cramps or stomach ache. I definitely recommend sedation, and the bonus is my flat tummy now. Gonna change my diet a bit now. I'm 71."

• Tda...
• August 20, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "7-07-15 nearly died from NuLYTELY. Burned entire GI system. 5 years ago and still ill. Dr. said, “chemical colitis with permanent nerve damage and no cure! I have spent $50,000 with naturopaths trying not to die. Near death for 6 months. On FODMAP diet and milk of magnesia daily. The MD offered antidepressants! Lots of pain! No help from MDs or the manufacturers."