Plenvu and Chills: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• CAT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I did the split dose and was able to get it down with no issues. I mixed the solution a few hours in advance and let it chill in the fridge. I drank half at 5 pm instead of 6 (with no straw so I could get it down faster), had water, then finished the rest about 10 minutes later, followed by more water. It tasted like a fruit drink to me. The first dose took about an hour to kick in, but once it did, I had no cramping, discomfort, etc. Just a lot of watery movements. It did, however, make me extremely cold. After a couple of hours, I was done for the night and able to get a good night's sleep. Took the second dose this morning at 6 am, and within 20 minutes it started working. Same experience as last night, and an hour later, I'm in great shape for my colonoscopy! I'm thrilled that this was the complete opposite of what I expected and feel a huge sense of relief that the process worked as needed."

• lrw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "This was my second colonoscopy, and my first prep, while unpleasant, was not nearly as awful as Plenvu. I don't remember what my previous doctor had me take, but it was nothing like this one!! As others have said, the taste (disgusting combo of salty and sickly sweet), viscosity, and the feeling of bloated fullness and nausea after was bad enough on the first dose. It took me 45 min to force myself to drink the second dose at midnight. No sleep that night!! I was desperately thirsty by the morning, in spite of drinking multiple glasses of water up until 3:30 am, which was when I had to stop before the procedure. After the procedure, I felt sick all day, and by evening felt like I had the flu with chills and body aches and no appetite. My guts were churning for 3 days after the procedure as well. I will never take Plenv again. There are so many better options, including a pill form. It's unbelievable that this 'stuff' is still prescribed by physicians!! Insist on an alternative."

• JHa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I’ll be brief. Plenvu will cause severe burning abdominal pain, vomiting, and chills. This lasted up to 2 1/2 hours with me last night. Also, this prep never fully cleaned me out for my colonoscopy today. The worst prep ever. There are other good preps out there. Plenvu needs to address this finally. Too many complaints!"

• KBa...
• November 6, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I read the previous reviews to help know what to expect. The first dose was unpleasant, I did manage to drink it. Within minutes of drinking half, I was in the bathroom. I was so cold and shivering, but this is normal. To get the first dose down, I used a straw and a lemon slice on my tongue, followed by brushing my teeth and mouthwash. Time for the second half of the first dose, still freezing in the bathroom most of the time. Second half down. The suggestion is, don't use toilet paper to wipe, use wipes, it is soothing and there is no irritation. Four hours on the toilet constantly. Another hour and time for the second round. While my first dose was not great, the second was horrible. Barely got it down. Used previous methods started my many trips to the bathroom. It is now 11 PM, no sleep is what I'm looking at. I drank most of the mixture but couldn't finish the last quarter. For me, I knew if I tried, it would not stay down. The end result was a clean colon and a good colonoscopy. While this was an unpleasant task, I am still glad I persevered. You can do it."

• KBa...
• November 6, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I read the previous reviews to help know what to expect. The first dose was unpleasant, I did manage to drink it. Within minutes of drinking half, I was in the bathroom. I was so cold and shivering, but this is normal. To get the first dose down, I used a straw and a lemon slice on my tongue, followed by brushing my teeth and mouthwash. Time for the second half of the first dose, still freezing in the bathroom most of the time. Second half down. The suggestion is, don't use toilet paper to wipe, use wipes, it is soothing and there is no irritation. Four hours on the toilet constantly. Another hour and time for the second round. While my first dose was not great, the second was horrible. Barely got it down. Used previous methods started my many trips to the bathroom. It is now 11 PM, no sleep is what I'm looking at. I drank most of the mixture but couldn't finish the last quarter. For me, I knew if I tried, it would not stay down. The end result was a clean colon and a good colonoscopy. While this was an unpleasant task, I am still glad I persevered. You can do it."

• Cra...
• January 16, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "This was my 5th colonoscopy, and Plenvu was the worst bowel prep I've ever had to take. The taste was awful, salty sweet. The first dose didn't make me nauseous, but the second did. I was vomiting all night besides the bowel movements and didn't get any sleep. I also had chills. I followed the directions exactly. I will never take this stuff again."

• 55M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I have had three colonoscopies, and this prep was by far the worst, BUT very effective. I started the first dose at 6 PM and had a hard time drinking it all. Within 20 minutes, every negative side effect started ... bloating, nausea, runny nose, chills, feelings of nervousness, and need to vomit, which I did. It kicked in relatively quickly. I drank most of the first dose but not all and went to the bathroom until about 10 PM. I called the doctor, and he gave me tips, including drinking ginger tea. I tried to sleep before the 1:15 AM dose #2 but could not fall asleep. I tried to finish before the side effects started again but could not. I left about 1/4 that I just could not choke down. All the same side effects. I went to the bathroom until about 4 AM and tried to sleep but could not. I went to the bathroom another 5-6 times before the 8 AM procedure. Even though I did not finish and vomited the first dose, I still had clear discharge before the procedure."

• 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."

• MSK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I was glad I only had to drink half as much prep as I did ten years ago, but the nausea, vomiting, and chills were unexpected side effects. I know there is some really bright person who can develop a better prep that doesn’t include drinking horrible liquids that cause such nausea and vomiting and a general feeling of being ill. I am not exaggerating when I say this prep tastes horrible, and the thick salty sweet is almost impossible to drink. I hope it works, and I can have the procedure tomorrow morning. If not, I won’t repeat this prep again and will ask for the older stuff that was bad but didn’t make me sick."

• 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."

• Til...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2025

For Bowel Preparation "Took Plenvu today, split the doses two hours apart. Although the taste is awful, I sipped it through a straw and had sips of pure apple juice, this helps. And stayed hydrated with water. But the second dose, halfway through, I found hard to get down and gagged and spit some out near the last bit. Had an episode of shivering and felt unwell, had to lie down and get warm with protection under me. Now I need the loo again. Had Moviprep previously, didn’t feel unwell, but the taste was vile."

• Fan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I started my first dose of this at 6 PM. It took me an hour to drink it all because the taste was so horrible. Didn't feel bloated or anything, just became very cold and couldn't warm up until I took a very hot bath. I feel this product works well, you just can't tell me they can't put some sort of flavoring in this. It tasted of onions and fish and rotten socks to me. Will try to drink the second dose with a straw."

• 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?"

• Raw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "Worst prep experience ever. It was the foulest tasting concoction this side of Venus. Honestly… who taste tests this stuff, the Marquis de Sade? Effective? If you enjoy incontinence and blowing up your local sewer system, then Plenvu is for you. Want cold chills and nausea? Then run, don’t walk, to your nearest pharmacy and pay way too much money for this prep."

• 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."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "So I was absolutely terrified to use this medication due to the reviews and the fact that every time I have done a colonoscopy prep, I get violently ill, like both ends going at the same time. It is just horrible. But this one surprisingly did not make me vomit. I will say this time around I made sure throughout the day I stayed very hydrated, and I took Zofran prior to starting, which I think helped a lot. I did notice chills at the beginning, and then I did have some body aches, but this went away. I kept the prep super cold and drank it slowly. I also put mine over ice and chased it with water or apple juice. For reference, also I am 23 and 112 pounds. It is a tough prep but just breathe and take your time. :) It is all for a good cause."

• HMR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Firstly, these reviews gave me hysterics at a time when I’m 4 hours away from my 2nd prep and just off the phone to the medical hotline after thinking I was going to have a heart attack! Strangely, this has calmed me. Four colonoscopies now, and this is the WORST PREP I’ve ever had. I can look past the taste, but the nausea when trying to drink it, the nausea after, the heart palpitations, chills - I am so rugged up and still shivering. Thankful to have found this thread and discovered this is all normal. Looking forward to getting myself to the hospital in the morning so they can deal with the aftermath of this absolute ‘crap’ prep!"

• Lak...
• March 7, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Started the prep at 12 PM. I was first given a laxative to take, within a couple of hours, had the runs. Within a couple of hours, I was already yellow to clear. At 5 PM, I started drinking the first dose of Plenvu, within a half hour, I was on the toilet. Five hours of nonstop going! Felt cold during the night, didn't get any sleep. Started drinking the second dose at 5 AM for an 8 AM procedure. I couldn't get off the toilet. I started shaking, so weak I could hardly stand, lightheaded, and my mouth so dry. Needless to say, I had to cancel the procedure. I will never take Plenvu again! Still feeling the aftermath, stomach is so messed up."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2023

For Bowel Preparation "The most difficult experience to take this I have ever had with drinking medicine. Struggled not to vomit and had to block my nose to reduce the taste. I could not finish drinking either of my doses within the advised 30-minute drinking time for each and had to drink each over an hour. I tried using chewing gum mint and polo mints to help with the taste, but it didn't really work. I suggest using a straw and avoiding your taste buds completely. I had chills and became incredibly anxious as I felt drinking it would never end. Traumatizing has been used to describe this by others, and I agree. It worked with its bowel clearing, but it took me so long to drink the second dose I had to finish it on the toilet because things started moving before I could finish. After the second dose is taken three hours after the first, as prescribed by my particular doctor, it was five hours until I could sleep in the middle of the night, as I kept needing the toilet from my bowels."

• Nop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "This medication worked, but the side effects are significant. I vomited on dose 2 and experienced chills and nausea with both doses. Whoever thought 'mango' and 'fruit punch' were a good idea should take a long, hard look at themselves. Nope!"

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Was prescribed this for colonoscopy prep. Followed my physician’s office instructions to a T. No nuts, etc., for three days before. Day before the procedure, clear liquids only. Took the first dose at 6:30 pm. It didn’t seem thick at all to me. Taste was no good, but none of this is fun. Within an hour of taking it, I had bad chills, couldn’t seem to get warm. It took three hours to take effect. It was not urgent for me. When I went to sleep at 11 pm, my last bowel movement was nowhere near clear. I put three blankets on me and socks to try to keep warm. The next morning, I drank coffee and some broth, as my physician’s nurse said some broth before the second dose is a good idea. The second dose was so sweet, it was harder to get down. It worked faster, as it seems to be a double dose. It took me many bowel movements to finally get clear yellow results. My behind got so sore! I also got the chills shortly after taking this dose. No way I am taking this medicine again, took too long."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2022

For Bowel Preparation "Was prescribed this for colonoscopy prep. Followed my physician’s office instructions to a T. No nuts, etc., for three days before. Day before the procedure, clear liquids only. Took the first dose at 6:30 pm. It didn’t seem thick at all to me. Taste was no good, but none of this is fun. Within an hour of taking it, I had bad chills, couldn’t seem to get warm. It took three hours to take effect. It was not urgent for me. When I went to sleep at 11 pm, my last bowel movement was nowhere near clear. I put three blankets on me and socks to try to keep warm. The next morning, I drank coffee and some broth, as my physician’s nurse said some broth before the second dose is a good idea. The second dose was so sweet, it was harder to get down. It worked faster, as it seems to be a double dose. It took me many bowel movements to finally get clear yellow results. My behind got so sore! I also got the chills shortly after taking this dose. No way I am taking this medicine again, took too long."