Plenvu and Vomiting: 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."

• 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."

• Suz...
• June 5, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Never again! This was my second colonoscopy, and the first was not this bad. My insurance copay was $60, so I expected it to be 'new and improved.' The first dose was tolerable but nasty. It started working before I finished drinking it (about 15 minutes). The second dose at 3 am was horrible. I had about 2 oz left, but stubborn me determined to finish even though I was nauseous. Suddenly, I started throwing up violently. I went to the bathroom just as violently and so irritated I couldn’t sit. Awful!! My question is, why is the same dose required for a 300-pound male as a 125-pound female? Definitely felt like overkill, like killing a fly with a hand grenade! No more Plenvu for me!"

• lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "This is the worst experience I have ever had with any kind of medication in my life. Started yesterday at 5 p.m. Mixed with cold water and used a straw to drink. This stuff is extremely salty and overly flavored with artificial fruit flavoring. It is very intense, and there will be an awful salty aftertaste. I instantly felt sick to my stomach. I tried to remain calm and relaxed and sat still. Drank plenty of clear liquid behind it. About 45 minutes after I completed the first dose, I went to the bathroom for the first bowel movement. During that time of having my bowel movement, I became very hot and sweaty. I started feeling awful. I knew I was about to get sick. I wound up throwing up at least half of what I had drunk. Got up at 1:00am to start the second dose. Decided to drink this one even slower to see if that would help me from getting sick again. Took about 45 minutes to drink it all this time. Taste is so horrible. Just awful. I made it through and instantly started feeling very full and very sick."

• Tra...
• January 16, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "As someone who gags easily, I researched about this product. I was so happy to read that the amount I had to drink was very small, but... The first dose of 16 ounces was tolerable with a little bit of gagging. Just took a sip of ginger ale in between doses. The second mixture (dose) combining the two packets of powder taken at midnight was the most difficult thing I have ever had to swallow. I was not able to drink it without gagging and only able to drink about 8 ounces, at the most, and at that time my fecal was clear liquid so I threw the rest down the drain. I did not ask the doctor how clean my colon was, but the procedure went well. If we can send a man to the moon, we should be able to get a better tasting prep, especially the second dose, for colonoscopies. There is no reason to have to drink this horrible combination of powder with fluid. I hope in five years, when I have my next one, there is something better on the market!"

• MJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "I was directed to use Plenvu for my last colonoscopy in Feb 2019. My insurance company wouldn't cover the $150 cost. My GI's office then gave me a sample. It was the fourth colonoscopy that I have had. I have a strong family history of colon cancer and have had polyps in the other 3 procedures. I followed the Plenvu directions. It was the most difficult prep I have ever used. I had vomiting and bowel evacuations for the last 6 hours before the procedure. I had leakage that lasted for about a week after the procedure. I could not leave my home. I then lost 10 pounds over the next 3 months. I had no appetite and I had no energy. I lost about 35% of my hair. It took 1 year before I felt better."

• 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!"

• mar...
• March 20, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I'm a fit, healthy 81-year-old who has had four colonoscopies with no problems on Glycoprep. At the pre-procedure appointment, told Plenvu was better. I religiously followed the prep instructions. Commenced Dose 1 at 6 PM, by 8/8:30 PM my bowels worked. Started to vomit and shake, drank more liquids. Rang the after-hours doctor. Later called an ambulance, vomiting and shaking continued. About 1 AM rang after-hours doctor again. By 2:30 AM, still vomiting, hot and shaking. Was driven to the hospital, then a 2-hour wait. Then had a seizure in the waiting room. The next 28 hours are a blank. My family reported a distressing day in emergency with me in an agitated state, sometimes needing two to hold me down. I remained there for four days in the hospital. It was clear that the Plenvu prep had brought on excessive vomiting (5 hours), leading to serious depletion of sodium and electrolytes, etc. In summary, I'm lucky to be alive, my car license gone (due to the seizure), and I still need a colonoscopy. I won't be using Plenvu. Any readers of this review, be warned."

• Mil...
• May 1, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Bowel prep: first attempted Pico Prep; vomited 6 hours. Then... Plenvu. Taken at 7 PM. By 7:15, I was off to the toilet. Very quick and very frequent bowel evacuation. But by 10:30, I was in bed. Second dose (2nd dose tastes better) at 4 AM. Slight nausea. Bowel evacuations till 7. Slept lightly between, ready to pounce for the toilet (lol). So although very dehydrating, it did the job quickly, which I found better. Doc said my bowel was VERY clean. He removed a flat polyp; for me, a huge relief- increased risk of bowel cancer as Nan, uncle (died), and Mom had bowel cancer (died) at 43. So although my and my siblings' risk is now increased again, Plenvu’s great bowel cleaning and a great doc have saved me from this flat polyp turning. Highly recommend. Remember all bowel prep is ‘shitty;’ it’s not about the prep... it’s about the saving of your life."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!!!"

• Awf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "Plenvu is the worst taking substance I have ever tasted. No matter what you do, you taste the thick, salty, mango, and tropical flavors. I managed to get the first dose down at 6 PM by the hardest and keep it down. It cleared me without being too violent. However, the second dose at 2 AM was horrible. I fought keeping it down, but at 2:45, I vomited severely! It was awful!! I was still going until the time I left for the procedure. Please do something to improve the taste and consistency of the product. I will never allow a doctor to prescribe this prep to me again."

• Msp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "Never again! This was noxious. It took all my effort to not vomit up the first dose. Sadly, after needing to take even more care with the second dose, I was not successful in keeping it down. I wish I’d read the helpful hints others have posted on how to manage this prep. I will never use this again. Colonoscopy prep is never fun, but this pushed things to a new level of horror."

• mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "Many preps in the past. Plenvu is the least amount of fluid intake required that I have tried (why it was appealing). However, Plenvu is the only prep that has made me strongly vomit after the second dose. Probably won't take again for future colonoscopy because can't imagine doing all this torture or preparing to throw up at the end and not have an acceptable result and having to do the prep all over again! No thank you!"

• 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."

• nfa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2020

For Bowel Preparation "First, I'll say that my Boston Prep Scale score was a 9, which is the perfect score and means that your prep worked and your colon was optimal for visualization. As far as effectiveness, Plenvu did the job. That said, if I ever have to have a colonoscopy again, I will ask to try a prep other than Plenvu. The taste of dose 1 was so vile, but I kept it down and it did its job. Dose 2 was less vile tasting, but my stomach expelled it in 20 minutes in the biggest projectile vomiting I've ever experienced. I hope to never have to have another colonoscopy."

• Her...
• July 20, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "First time for a colonoscopy, had PLENVU prescribed and took it, but nothing to compare it to. Dose 1 the night before was like drinking fruity seawater, but I got it all down. In less than half an hour, the floodgates opened—success! It works!! (No “false alarms” with this stuff, so be near the potty ;-)). Felt nauseous with it but figured it’s all part of the process. Slept fine that night, next morning on to dose 2. Flashback to last dose. After finishing dose 2 (and during), nausea started again but knew that was normal. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as the case may be), projectile vomiting of dose 2 commenced, luckily into the toilet. A LOT. But some must have made its way through my system as the projectile “squirts” commenced as well. Sure felt better after the vomiting, though!! Called my doc’s office after this vomiting of dose 2 episode and was told don’t worry, just keep pushing fluids. So I did. No problem with colonoscopy being done. And that was it!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I will not use this product again. First dose of Plenvu was unbearable, took me an hour to finish and thought I would vomit afterwards. Second dose just as bad, but so much nausea I’m unable to finish the entire jar. I get the reason we all elect to have the colonoscopy, but there had to be a better way! They can send a man to the moon, can’t they make this process better? Just hope I get through the night without throwing up."

• Gro...
• February 21, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "This was the most disgusting thing I have ever drank in my life. I've had 3 colonoscopies with no problem before, but I could barely drink the first dose, and although the second one tasted a teeny bit better, I threw everything up and had to have an enema instead. If I had known this beforehand, I never would have used it. It was really gross."

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

For Bowel Preparation "First bowel prep for colonoscopy. Dr. recommended a two-day approach. The first dose taken the day prior to the procedure is pretty bad. Envision a child making you a mango drink only to realize they just put a cup of salt followed by a cup of sugar. Had a glass of ice water as a chaser. Tried gulping down as much as I could. I do not suggest this method as I came close to vomiting! Had to use some serious mental fortitude to finish. Finished in 20 minutes. Took about an hour to start working. Ten total visits to the toilet by 5 a.m. the next day. Started dose 2 at 7:30 a.m. Dose 2 was better tasting if we are allowing for degrees of hell. Worked in 30 minutes. Visited the restroom at least 7 times but seemed milder than dose 1. All in all, it worked as expected, but the delivery method could be improved. I would swallow 30 fast-dissolving pills if it meant I didn't have to drink that mango drink."

• 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."

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

For Bowel Preparation "I'm 26, this is my 1st colonoscopy. I have nothing to compare the prep to. Dose 1 is FOUL. Gag with every sip, even when chased with ice water. Projectile vomit twice, one halfway and one when done. I had to lay down and shut my eyes because of the nausea. I had a migraine all day, so that probably contributed. I was bloated, but did not have a BM until I started dose 2. Whoever suggested a hot bath is a SAINT because I felt so awful after dose 1. I didn't know how to cope, the bath helps. Dose 2 is much more tolerable. Less powder, less thick. Flavor is better. Still very salty and needs an ice water chaser. The liquid BMs have been really frequent since starting dose 2. It's been hard to drink in between. However, there is no abdominal pain involved. It is amazing compared to the awful pain I have had that has driven me to get this done. All in all, I was scared to death about dose 2 because of how awful dose 1 was. But that made dose 2 seem kinder."

• Rma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2021

For Bowel Preparation "I need a yearly colonoscopy because of a high-risk malignant polyp found in 2015. So I have had several different preps. Plenvu is the worst. The first packet was sickeningly sweet and very salty. I followed all directions. The second packet was just as bad. About 30 minutes into drinking the second packet, I vomited, while bowel was evacuating. Unbelievably terrible experience. Nothing good to say about this prep."