Polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes and Bloating: What Users Say

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2019

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Literally makes me shake with fear drinking this. You think you can just down it in the style of 'I'm a celebrity' and hold your nose. For some reason you can't. The taste means after a couple of swallows you are gagging and have to stop. It's 2019 and how come there is not an alternative to this is literally mind-boggling. Does what it's supposed to, but bloats you up terribly and makes me cry."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2018

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "In the midst of prep now. Finished the first half and have to get up at 4 AM for the second. It works really well, and I have to say I was very worried, but it had been a pleasant surprise. The taste is not horrible, very tolerable, and yes, I am definitely getting cleaned out. No cramps or nausea. A little bloating, but I would expect that from drinking this much of any liquid in such a short time. I have IBS and was worried I would have a lot of pain, but it’s been the opposite. I know others can have a different experience, but I just wanted to share a positive one."

• Tiz...
• June 19, 2021

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "No one reading this review will be more frightened than I was at having to take MoviPrep - I had to take it yesterday in a state of blind panic, but I survived. I kept to a virtual liquid diet for 36 hours before prep. Poured the prep into 250 ml bottles and chilled. Used a metal straw, alternating 3 gulps of prep and gulps of ginger ale, cutting through the cloying sweetness of the prep, which was like seltzer with a heavy lemon taste. Not nice, but can be swallowed easily if you distract yourself like I did watching TV. It really was drinkable. Only a little bloating, no cramps, a little nausea maybe gulping too quickly. Just felt very cold after sitting on the loo for hours. When the prep started to work, it was gentle, no 'power wash,' just a trickle and the odd whoosh. Managed to get to bed, got up a few times through the night. Morning doses dreaded, but had very little problem. Crucially, it did the job. The worst part, without a doubt, was the worry and fear before the prep."

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2024

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Easier prep than last time. Started both doses 1.5-2 hrs early, which gave me some “rest” time between long bouts of pooping. Chilled the prep about an hour. Took Zofran (Rx anti-nausea) one hour before drinking each dose, and chewed Simethicone tablets (OTC anti-gas) following. Drank with nose pinched to suppress taste (sweet, salty flavor). Dose 1: three parts over ten minutes, alternating with ginger ale. Went down just fine. No side effects. Dose 2: slightly more difficult due to large amount of liquid I had consumed between doses. Slight bloating but no cramping or nausea. Both doses began diarrhea within ten minutes - not separate BMs, but one long continuous dribble (Dose 1, 1.5 hrs; Dose 2, 2.5 hrs). Stopped pooping about 30 min. before leaving for clinic. I was cold the entire prep time, which RN said is common. Have entertainment, water, and soft TP. Blot, don’t wipe, use occasional baby wipe to soothe. Hope this helps. Not as bad as some commenters say."

• Rib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2014

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I was very skeptical of taking MoviPrep after reading the online reviews, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I did take an anti-emetic beforehand, as prescribed by my doctor, and I had no nausea at all. Yes, the prep does taste awful, and whatever you use to help flavor it, you will never want to drink again. But I had no side effects: no cramping, bloating, or nausea. The motions I was able to easily get to the toilet and didn't need to get up in the night. The only side effect I did get was burning towards the end, but I did use lots of Sudocrem. My advice would be to start early and take your time. I started at 2 PM and finished at 8 PM for the two doses."

• Joo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I've suffered with stomach problems for years. Colonoscopy booked, I started MoviPrep and finished the first liter. I waited...and waited...nothing happened except terrible bloating and stomach pain. This was Monday evening...by Friday still nothing but a very sore stomach, lots of painful wind...and I went to my GP. Never will I take this preparation again, it's now Saturday evening and my stomach still feels very sore and bloated. I must be in a tiny minority that it didn't work and has obviously severely irritated my stomach and bowel."

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

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I too had a negative experience with Plenvu. The taste was horrendous. It started working within 15 minutes of finishing dose 1. I was so nauseous and clammy I thought for sure I was going to pass out. I couldn’t finish the second dose as the same thing happened. My blood pressure was also very high for me after the second dose. I was crampy and bloated for weeks after and still don’t feel as good as I had before this prep 6 months ago. I wouldn’t recommend this prep to my worst enemy."

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

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."

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

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."

• Gio...
• March 19, 2015

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."

• Blo...
• November 15, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This tastes like thick, foul ocean water. It has been 8 hours and I have gone some, but I feel bloated and cramping. The doctor has canceled my colonoscopy due to it not working as it should. I even drank more water than required. Once I finally do go, that will literally be $50 down the toilet."

• Thr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 7, 2018

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This was my third time prepping for a colonoscopy, second time with GoLYTELY. I usually don’t mind the taste, but this time they didn’t offer a flavor, so I got the unflavored. Yuck! Started at 6 PM, immediately felt bloated, drank till 8 PM, expecting to explode before my next dosing at 3 AM. 2:30, I feel like it’s finally going to work, it did. So I’m sitting in the bathroom with a 1/2 gallon of Satan’s nectar, drinking it plain and chasing with Gatorade, no straw. I got the best cleanout I’ve ever had this time. Next time (I grow polyps, so I’m an every 3-year preparer), I’ll ask for the flavored kind or add some Crystal Light. All in all, not a bad experience now that it’s over."

• Jen...
• June 28, 2016

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Oh my God! I am really glad that I have eaten really lightly for the last few days and nothing at all today. It works alright! Felt full and kind of bloated after the first glass, and by the third, I was running for the bathroom. Still have half to go, but am afraid to leave the bathroom to drink it! They better get a good look tomorrow because I am not doing this again! Lol."

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

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."

• cyb...
• June 24, 2014

PEG-3350 with Electolytes (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Drinking with a straw helps, as well as chilling the liquid. Started feeling full/bloated until it started working, about 60 minutes after first 8 oz. Also would recommend wearing a panty liner (yes, men too!) because you don't always have the control you need getting to the toilet on time."

• Tir...
• May 5, 2017

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I have to drink two bottles of this stuff, 2-day cleanse, and this is my second night. I started drinking it with a lemonade powder, I LOVE lemon anything, lol. Anyway, to me, it tasted horrible with the lemon, so I tried it by itself, and it tastes like baking soda and water. Last night at the beginning, I felt a little bloated and a very little nausea. After things started moving, my stomach settled down. I am drinking two jugs because my first test I used something else and it did not work as well as it should have. I pray this will be the last time for a long, long while! It does do the job!"

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2018

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Let me start off with the taste. It wasn't good, but it wasn't bad either. The first half went down fine. It worked almost immediately for me, about a half hour, then the faucet was opened full flow. No bad cramping, no bloating. My doctor wanted me to split the dose, and that is when the problem of drinking it down got to my head. I guess the taste wasn't what my body was craving for at 3 a.m. I was about to give up drinking it all, but found my way. I remembered my daughter's Capri Sun drinks were clear and sugary. I'd take a sip of that before I guzzled the GaviLyte, then a large sip afterward worked. Now off to get scoped, yay!"

• Poc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I took my first dose of Plenvu for a bowel prep at 6 PM this evening, drank 500 ml of water after, and within 5 mins, I felt bloated and uncomfortable, and then 10 mins later I was on the toilet. Feel quite nauseous but haven’t been sick. I don’t feel poorly at all so far, but after reading the other comments on here, I’ve already prepped Dose 2 and put it in the fridge. I think I’m averaging 3-5 minutes in between bathroom visits, but as long as it works for my procedure tomorrow, I don’t mind. Not looking forward to Dose 2, but it’s got to be done. Yes, flavors are difficult as they’re sweet and salty, but I had it alongside a glass of tonic water to help. I think 30 mins isn’t much time for 500 ml, but at least it gets it over and done with."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2021

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "It doesn’t have a nice taste - the first couple of glasses, it’s okay, then it becomes disgusting. I’m not sure exactly what it is that makes it so, but I found it tolerable if I quickly sipped some Lucozade after chugging a couple of mouthfuls. After the first dose, I felt bloated with water, some mild cramping, and a tummy ache. Started the first dose at 5 PM and finished by 7 PM. So I had an hour's rest in between and drank some apple juice. Lots of bubbles in my tummy. Started the second dose at 8 PM, started pooping at 08:41 PM. It’s so gross, water coming out your butthole is just not right, but needs must. It’s now 23:35, and a bowel movement still occurs now and then. I was really worried about this prep, but all in all, it’s not too bad at all. Is it pleasant? No. But I don’t feel sick, cramps were mild and short, and the bowel movements are not explosive. It’s been gentle on my system. I put Vaseline outside and inside my posterior, and I’m not sore. Good luck!"

• Not...
• April 6, 2011

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "It was just barely drinkable, and you have to drink a huge amount of it. In my case, there was no effect for hours and hours, and I felt totally bloated. It finally started working, but I didn't feel as fully emptied out as I would have liked by the time of my procedure in the morning. I had followed instructions to the letter, including the dietary instructions the day before."

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

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."

• epi...
• February 28, 2017

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I took this medication, MoviPrep, the day before my colonoscopy. I dreaded taking the solution, but it is really not that bad, or it was not for me. The prepared liquid tasted a lot like Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus lemon to me. I did not have a hard time with the taste of MoviPrep at all. I felt really bloated after that first bottle, but that subsided quick. I went to the bathroom fast, and I went a lot. In fact, I am still going, but the bloat seems to have gone away. This is my first colonoscopy, and of course I am nervous about it. I think it is good I am going, 'cause it is very important to be screened."

• j v...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2014

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I began the first prep at 6 PM. I mixed it with ice-cold water and lemon Crystal Light. Not too bad. I finished the first prep within the allotted one hour. The worst part was cramping, bloating, and chills. Everything that came out was solid waste. I began the second prep at 2 AM. This one took almost three hours to finish (drained). But everything that came out was mostly water-based. Also, no cramping, bloating, or chills. The colonoscopy was a total breeze. My gastro called me a lovely patient. The key, I believe, is to have as little undigested food in your GI tract as possible prior to the prep, which is where fasting for at least one day comes into play. (Worked for me)"

• Phi...
• June 1, 2023

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Three times in six months prepping for a colonoscopy. First was SuPrep, second was Plenvu, third was GaviLyte-G. The GaviLyte was smoothest by far, easiest to drink, and most effective in my case. I added the included lemon flavor packet, and also had some hard lemon candies to help improve the taste when drinking. Four liters total, yes that seems like a ton. I drank half the night before, the other half the morning of the procedure. Slept fine, surprisingly. Some bloated feeling, but minimal cramps and no urges to vomit. Overall, not bad at all. In my experience, GaviLyte > SuPrep > Plenvu."