Polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes and Bad Taste: What Users Say

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

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Despite the side effects of nausea, vomiting, and taste, I have to keep in mind that it was beneficial for my overall health. I am a 4-time survivor of colon cancer. I would rather spend a few days out of my life enduring this than going through chemotherapy and losing the battle to cancer as my father and grandmother did."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2024

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Having used plenty of other bowel preps for previous colonoscopies, I have to say this is by far the best. First of all, let’s get the negatives out of the way-the taste of the FIRST solution is bad-imagine bitter onion, but it’s completely manageable over the hour. Onto the positives, it works quick. You will start going very quickly, and as other reviews/sites mention, you will go for about 1-2 hours. The second drink is far easier to get down. I was dreading this after the first, but it was much, much easier. Again, started immediately, and again, 1-2 hours of movement before completely clear. Previous preps, I’ve been sitting for 8+ hours before running clear. The best plus of this medicine is the little amount, 2x500ml, to drink. The hospital staff said Plenvu is one of the best for clearing out, and I would completely agree with this. Honestly, you only see the bad reviews, but I thought I would take the time to reassure people this by far is better than the gallons and gallons."

• Tra...
• January 16, 2020

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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!"

• DW ...
• February 24, 2020

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Plenvu presented no problems, other than the taste. Bud Light would be better. I had a subsequent midday appointment, so took the first dose at 6 PM in the evening. Pretty well cleaned me out within 2 hours, so went to sleep for the night with no accidents. Took the final dose at 6 AM, and that completely cleared me out within 30 minutes. The consultant was impressed with the clarity of my entire colon. Good result. As I say, for me, the only thing was the mango extra sweet taste. I’ll try the straw next time."

• Zog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2017

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This is the second time I have had to take MoviPrep since October. After really struggling with the taste the first time around to the point it made me sick. The nurse recommended putting lime cordial in each glass. She also recommended making the prep with flavored water (not red berries). I made it up with lemon and lime flavored water, then chilled it for a few hours. In each glass, I have added the lime cordial and ice. I have used a jumbo straw and had water in a glass just in case. I can honestly say the lime is brilliant. Although there is still a slightly salty taste, it is nowhere near as bad as previously. I have managed the first liter and actually feel I can cope with the next one. I hope this helps."

• tmj...
• January 27, 2021

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Started my fast at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. Took the first sachet of MoviPrep at 5 p.m. as per the instructions. Tasted like bitter lemon, to be honest, or even like a sports drink, electrolytes with salt. You can flavor MoviPrep with a cordial if you don't initially like the taste, so maybe source a cordial beforehand, but not blackcurrant flavored. First bowel movement occurred at 7:10 p.m., a gentle feeling, small movement. 7:30 p.m., a large messy movement. This is where the flushable toilet wipes help immensely. This was then followed by a number of smaller bowel movements, but mostly watery. Next MoviPrep taken at 8 p.m. as per the instructions. No more messy movements, just loads of watery ones. This went on until 11:20 p.m. Went to bed when my stomach felt calmer, just before midnight. Woke again at 2:15 a.m. from a stomach cramp feeling, toilet, small bowel movement, again just watery. Back to bed and woke after 8 a.m., and again another very small watery movement. In all, not an unpleasant experience."

• Bro...
• November 16, 2015

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I don't know what the fuss is about with the taste or smell. I didn't even use the lemon flavor packet that it came with because it contains saccharin, and I hate the aftertaste. I didn't refrigerate it. I drank it room temperature with no flavoring, but I did use a straw. It was not bad at all. It tasted like funny-tasting water that was a little salty. I drank it through the straw really fast, and I had a butterscotch hard candy after each glassful. The reason I didn't drink it cold was that it goes down easier at room temperature."

• Ala...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2021

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Dose 1 - quite salty but not too bad. Drank slowly over 30 minutes, doing small sips, per instructions, followed by 500 ml water. Both with room temperature water. After drinking at 6:30, it took about an hour or so to start and lasted for 4 hours. Dose 2 - taken at 4 am, not as bad as the taste from the first one. Again, drank slowly over 30 minutes, followed by a further 500 ml water. Started working within 15 minutes, worked its magic for over 3 hours - after which you pass a yellow fluid. Still have some minor liquid bowel movements in the evening, but nothing too serious. Just stay somewhere comfortable and nearby a toilet for the rest of the day. Was expecting the sky to fall in from the reviews read on here, but it honestly isn’t that bad. Doctor rated cleanliness as excellent, so it certainly does what it says on the box."

• Kma...
• August 15, 2011

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Constipation, Chronic "I had been constipated for roughly 4 days after quitting drinking this. I foolishly upped my fiber intake by way more than I should have and got myself backed up. I went to the doctor, and he prescribed me GoLYTELY, which is a terribly ironic name for such a medicine. I already have passed stools and feel a lot better. The taste is awful, though, it's like lemonade made with one lemon, no sugar, and salty well water."

• Dev...
• July 24, 2017

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Was given MoviPrep prior to a colonoscopy procedure. I took Picolax solution 5 years ago for my last colonoscopy, and MoviPrep was much gentler. Horrible taste - you can't get away from that. I took sips and drank the first liter over an hour. If you drink it too quickly, I found it made you feel a bit sick. Also, sipping orange juice or some other drink to take the taste away helped. HUGE tip I got was to use Vaseline to stop your bottom from feeling raw. Worked a treat. Good luck to all who are having a colonoscopy."

• Dre...
• December 27, 2011

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I had stomach cramps within minutes of starting my first glass of GoLYTELY and started my first bowel movement before I could even finish my first glass! Aside from the nasty taste and the stomach cramps, I have to say this really works. I think my colon will be completely clear for the colonoscopy tomorrow morning at the rate I'm going, and that's saying a lot since I'm disabled and have zero control down there in that area."

• Sat...
• August 26, 2010

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I took MoviPrep to help prepare me for a colonoscopy. I was glad to see that it really works because my bowels don't move very often, even with a laxative. I started having bowel motions after taking about 3/4 of the 1st liter. I was a happy, happy camper because MoviPrep cleansed my colon out. My tummy feels so much better. I wasn't that happy about the taste, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't drink it. I just drank it very quickly. It did what it was supposed to do."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "First colonoscopy... all I had to go on was a one-page instruction/informational flyer with instructions for two-day split prep. No one called from the facility to give me instructions (after calling 3 times and being told that 'they would get to me'). So, I read some reviews and decided not to wait 12 hours as the instructions stated. Glad I did, as I was able to sleep for three hours before leaving for the procedure. The prep does taste vile. No argument there! But it was very effective, and considering the small amount, I would use it again."

• lyd...
• February 2, 2020

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "So I've taken MoviPrep Orange, and at first it's not too bad, sort of a salty orange flavor. But then you start to notice the thick, gloopy texture and honestly couldn't stop gagging, absolutely foul taste. Took my first liter at 4 PM, and at 5:30 PM, the movements started. Attempted to take the second liter at 8:30 PM but only managed to get half down. Currently 11:55 PM and still making trips to the bathroom every 15-20 minutes... I'm only a tiny 18-year-old girl. Feel so bad. Definitely don't need the full 2-liter dose, but we'll see tomorrow. This is my third bowel prep, and I will not be doing it again."

• Ear...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2019

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I drank 4 liters, and the cleansing stopped after about 3 hours. During my colonoscopy, the doctor told me I was not completely cleansed for the procedure, he made me feel as though I didn’t follow the directions for the medication, and I did. And after 3 days, I can still taste it in my mouth."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2012

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Followed the instructions to the letter, and it did not work. I did not have a bowel movement until 11 hours after the first dose. My doctor had to abort the colonoscopy. We are going to use a different prep next time. MoviPrep really tastes horrible, also. It took three days for MoviPrep to clear out of my system and for me to have a solid bowel movement."

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2019

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Nothing can prepare you for how bad MoviPrep tastes. It is close to undrinkable. I took the first dose at 2 PM and the next dose at 8 PM. I went to the bathroom a lot quicker on the second dose than on the first. I felt completely drained after the first session. This is a necessary evil, however, if there is a next time, it will have to be through a feeding tube."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2013

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This was my 2nd colonoscopy, and this time I prescribed MoviPrep. The taste was the worst part, even though I drank through a straw. I would brush my teeth after each drink due to the aftertaste. Aside from the taste, it worked well. It started working in about 35 minutes. I had to do a split dosage, 1/2 the night before and 1/2 the morning of the colonoscopy. I ate a low-residue diet the day before, and I believed that helped, so there was not so much output. I think some people think they should eat a lot the day before, but that just makes the prep last longer."

• Haw...
• February 19, 2016

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This is my second colonoscopy. The first was five years ago, and the prep was horrible. This time with MoviPrep is a little better: the taste, though, for me, is terrible. Too sweet and too salty. I've done the first batch. After 45 minutes, I ran to the bathroom, and I've been in there pretty much for two hours. During the few minutes I've been away from the toilet, I Googled MoviPrep and read the experiences. Since I love to eat lemons, I asked my husband to go out for some and some baby wipes. The toilet part hasn't been too bad (not as bad as the first time). Now I'm back doing the second batch. I tried the straw and the lemons, and hooray, they work so much better. I might even be able to get the whole second batch down."

• JCG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2021

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Constipation, Chronic "It tastes terrible, but here's how I do it, and it works super well. Have an 8 oz cup of GoLYTELY, an 8 oz glass of water, and a cup of mouthwash ready to go next to each other. Hold your nose and drink the GoLYTELY as fast as possible, then IMMEDIATELY rinse your mouth with mouthwash after you swallow the GoLYTELY. Spit out the mouthwash and drink the glass of water. Repeat every 10-15 minutes until you have completed your GoLYTELY consumption. I had absolutely no problem at all with the taste doing this. I was peeing out of my butt in no time, and that part is not fun, but the prep itself was a breeze using this method. Good luck!"

• Dog...
• July 18, 2024

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This is my first colonoscopy and hopefully my last. Plenvu is vile, had real bad problems getting it down, and keeping it down never tasted anything like this. I took dose 1 at 18:00 as instructed, within an hour I was on the toilet, had to drink dose 2 sitting on the toilet, and didn't come out until midnight. I will never take this again, and if I ever need another colonoscopy and Plenvu is all they will give me, then I'm afraid I will take my chances and go without the colonoscopy! NEVER AGAIN!"

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2015

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Having a colonoscopy tomorrow. So, started MoviPrep at 3 PM. I mixed it in advance early this morning, so it's really cold, also drinking through a straw. If you're not good with Daryl light kind of meds, then this is the best bet. I'm not good with the salty taste! So, I cut a lemon into wedges, bite a wedge, keep the juice in my mouth, and drink as much as I can from the glass, then have another bite of lemon and repeat till the glass is gone. Followed by something nice like lemonade."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2019

NuLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I have just completed the recommended two sessions of drinking NuLYTELY, heading toward an early morning colonoscopy. It is a lot of stuff to drink, no doubt! But the two sessions are better than the old regimen of drinking it in one session. I had the lemon-lime mixture, which comes from the drugstore ready to add water. The total prep drink required is 4 liters. It's not too bad. It tastes like lemon-lime drink with salt added. Chewing spearmint sugarless gum between the 8 oz glasses of solution was helpful to me. I also drank through a thick straw to the back of my mouth to reduce the salty taste. This wasn't pleasant like drinking a milkshake or a Sprite, but it was not a seriously difficult preparation."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2023

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Absolutely horrible taste, effective drug. Only positive is that it tastes so badly, you almost have to have a second beverage to sip between gulps just to clear your mouth. Bonus that you’re getting more than enough fluids to prevent dehydration!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2017

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "There is a worse-tasting medication than this one called Fleet. There is no way around the foul taste of MoviPrep, don't sip it, try not to taste between gulps. Wash your mouth out with clean water after each 250 mL glass and chew peppermint gum to take away the taste."