Polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes and Headaches: What Users Say

• Cyn...
• June 11, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Want to lose 13 lbs in 2 days along with all your electrolytes, every single drop of water in your body, and your general will to live? If so, try new Plenvu bowel prep, where our motto is 'if you didn't have hemorrhoids before, you do now!' Dose 1 comes in our great new mango, burned car tire, toilet bowl cleaner sludge flavor! Take it before bed to ensure you get zero sleep and wake up hating everyone and everything. If you survive the night, you get rewarded with another dose at 4 a.m. This one comes in the only slightly less repulsive flavor of fruit punch, saltwater, and enough Aspartame to give cancer to an entire 3rd world country! Side effects include pooping your brains out for days before, during, and after your procedure, anal bleeding, severe muscle cramps, joint pain, headache, severe dehydration, and hoping you poop on the doctor who made you wait an hour and a half after your appointment time to begin your colonoscopy."

• Hak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2021

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."

• Ano...
• February 26, 2020

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I had GoLYTELY split prep (1/2 night before, remaining, morning of). I mixed it with lemonade mix, and it wasn't bad. The evening was fine. I followed the directions, and all went well. I had prepared days in advance with very light foods and lots of fluids. Within 4 hours, all discharge was completely clear. Went to sleep and woke up an hour later with an excruciating headache, vomiting, trembling, and chills. This went on all night. Could not complete the morning prep at all as my stomach lurched when I touched the jug! Still vomiting a bit and headache when I arrived for the procedure. That went fine, but now I am 12 hours post-procedure, still have a slight headache and a very nauseous stomach. How long do the effects of this remain? Time will tell, I suppose. Take a hard pass on this prep, folks! There are much less severe options available."

• mou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2021

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Beware! The first dose wasn't too terrible to get down at 5 PM. By 5 AM, when I woke to start the second dose, I had a terrible headache that I thought was sinus. It only got worse from there. I started drinking the dose and kept feeling worse: headache, nausea, weakness, cramps. After about 1/4 of the dose, I became violently ill, which only intensified the bad side effects. By 6 AM, my husband got my neighbor, a trauma surgeon, to come over and check in on me. She suggested the emergency room. I was happy to go, my symptoms and weakness were scaring me. I'm 65, but I've had several colonoscopies and not gone off the rails like this, and I'm super fit and an avid mountain biker. It took about 4 days before I felt strong and normal. The worst part is, I still have to get a colonoscopy! I won't use Plenvu, but I'm still terrified!"

• Jan...
• June 10, 2019

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "It's not meant to taste like Kool-Aid! Having said that, the initial intake of the liter was fine, didn't really taste all that bad. But the more you have, the worse it gets. Coming up on my last 250ml, it took me nearly half an hour gaining up the courage to drink it all. Through the 90 minutes of drinking, I felt nauseous in waves. Took it at 7 PM, and by 9 PM, I was on the toilet like a fire hose. Was in the middle of an Overwatch game and had to leave because it literally went 0-100 in seconds. Spent the next hour on the toilet with my laptop just watching videos, got up for a bit, and now I'm back guessing that I'm finishing off the last parts. Make sure to have a water bottle with you, as you will get dehydrated and maybe get a headache. You may experience some indigestion and some unpleasant gurgling. For me, the worst part of it all was actually drinking the prep, which wasn't really all that bad till the last bits, just take your time."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2023

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This was a traumatizing experience. Never, ever again. Zero taste improvement from other preps. The worst was the profound incontinence. After the first dose, it went on for 4 hours, but I had 5-10 seconds to make it to the toilet about every 10 minutes. After the second dose the morning of the procedure, I didn't even have a three-second warning, and it went on for over 5 hours - past the time of my appointment. Going every 3-5 minutes with no warning. I had to line the car seat with towels and change clothes twice in the clinic restroom just to get into the exam. And that doesn't even address the severe perineal damage from the acid or the extreme dehydration and headache from being unable to drink anything for 3 hours before the appointment. Nothing like crapping your pants in the waiting room full of people waiting for their loved ones or cleaning the floor of the clinic restroom. Probably formulated for 300 lb men. It needs to be adjusted down for people who are only 140 lbs or less."

• MVa...
• November 22, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."

• IBS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I was prescribed Plenvu prep for an upcoming colonoscopy, which was today. The first dose is flavored with artificial mango flavor. It was the most vile thing I'd ever tasted. I managed to get the majority of it down. There was 1 ounce I couldn't finish. Before I was done, I had explosive diarrhea. I didn't make it to the bathroom. From here on out, it was pure liquid that ran through me. I took the second dose 6 hours later, and it was even worse than the first dose. I could only finish 14 of the 16 ounces. Again, it just ran right through me. I'd eaten extremely light Monday through Wednesday, and I think that helped tremendously. Shortly after the second dose, my head began to throb. I'd been hydrating before and during the first dose and struggled mightily with the second. All I could smell and taste was the disgusting fruit punch flavor. I finally dozed off around 1 a.m. Woke up at 5 a.m. and had passed more liquid in my sleep."

• Woo...
• March 18, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This was my 3rd colonoscopy, so I knew what to expect up until I started the Plenvu bowel cleanse regimen. In simplest terms, “This stuff is poison.” I can’t believe the Food and Drug Administration approved this. The taste was absolutely horrible, and it made my stomach upset and burn a bit. I followed the directions and had a bowel movement within the hour, which turned into urinating out of my butt. Having stomach cramps, butt leakage, and extreme thirst hampered my night's sleep. The next morning, I took the second dose, which was just as bad as the first. I could feel my body starving for water, as this stuff sucked all my body fluids into my colon. I didn’t stop urinating out of my butt until 10 minutes before my procedure. It did clean me out, but with a huge price to pay. Five days later, I’m still feeling the effects of dehydration, loss of electrolytes, along with a dull headache and fatigue. Never will I use this med again."

• Bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 15, 2018

GaviLyte-G (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Was prescribed the half-dosing method. Drank the 1st half in 1.5 hrs, and it's been 4 hours and nothing. Stomach pain, headache, nausea, and sporadic chest pains. Drinking lots of water, thinking it will help, but it is just making me more uncomfortable. Dread drinking the 2nd half tomorrow and hope I don't have to reschedule. It's not been a good experience."

• Ace...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2019

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I vomited half of the GoLYTELY prep along with most of my insides! Started drinking it at 11:30 AM the day before the colonoscopy and got that half down. At 4:00 PM I tried drinking the other half and vomited it all and then some. My friend brought me an anti-nausea suppository after I vomited the anti-nausea pill and managed to get the last quarter of the solution down. Headache, nausea, chills, I feel like I drank rat poison. Never again!"

• Fif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I've used this prep twice: the first time I drank it as prepared in the container and followed the instructions: drink 3L within 3 hours. After about 2 1/2L, the nausea became too much... it felt like my body was refusing to allow the prep to leave my stomach the right way, and I ended up vomiting what seemed like an entire liter. The next morning, I tried to drink the remaining 1L, but again I started vomiting. The next time, I used lemon for the prep and ginger ale to wash my mouth out, and I decided to extend the 3 hours to 4. That helped in giving the prep a tolerable taste, and I didn't feel rushed to gulp the solution, but regardless, after 1 1/2L, my stomach said 'no more' and I began vomiting copious amounts. The next morning, I managed to drink only 2/3L. The fact is, for some, GoLYTELY is just not a viable option - for whatever reason, the body won't tolerate it. With the nausea and headache the next morning, I felt like I had literally poisoned my body. I know I will NEVER use it again."

• OKn...
• September 11, 2013

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Procedure scheduled for 6:30 a.m. Clear liquids only for prior 36 hours, nothing by mouth except for bowel prep after midnight. Started at 6 p.m. as prescribed and took the first half of the prep at 15-minute intervals over one hour. The taste is vile, sweet-salty with a chemical feel, and the consistency thick, almost like vegetable oil. I was able to take it fairly easily, followed by water as prescribed. Four hours later, the bowel motions began. Second round began at midnight, had to gag it down but was able to finish the dose. Results good, clear pale yellow at the end. Severe hunger, headache, and malaise throughout. 12 hours after the procedure, still have rumbling bowels."

• lau...
• November 8, 2015

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Well, taking this for colonoscopy prep was fearing the worst, but has been a breeze. No pain, slight nausea, and slight headache. Started working within 45 mins. Deduced a star as I took my last lot at 6:45, and it is now half past 11 and still going to the toilet. I want to sleep, lol. But does the job, and don't be put off by the horror stories. It's easy, just chill on the toilet with a good book or phone. If anything, I was actually bored sitting on the toilet so much more than anything, and wet wipes and Vaseline are a must."

• Blu...
• February 23, 2021

NuLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I started my prep tonight, did not add any flavor to it. The taste was not bad at all. So far, I don't feel any side effects. I read that the stuff had a horrible taste and people were getting sick from it. Trust me, it is not that bad at all! I had to drink half of the bottle tonight, and then I have to drink the rest in the morning. This is the first time ever that I had to do this, and believe me, reading other people's comments on the internet scared me. I did not want to drink that stuff, but it was not bad at all. I have a little headache, but not because of the prep, it's because I have not eaten anything today - just clear liquids. I have not been able to do number 2 in a long time, and now it is all coming out - it does work! My next time I have to do it is 2:00 AM. I'm very pleased with how the first round went. People who are afraid of doing the prep - it is not bad at all!! Good luck all, and stay safe and healthy."

• kmr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2024

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I have to admit I was terrified to take this after reading the reviews. But, it actually was not as bad as I was thinking. The first dose was much more tolerable than the 2nd dose. Took 1st dose at 6 pm the day before my colonoscopy and the 2nd dose at midnight. I was able to get the first dose down in about 15 minutes and took an hour to have my first movement. Caused a lot of rumbling in my stomach but wasn't too bad. However, the 2nd dose took me about 40 minutes to get down and I wasn't quite sure I'd get it all down. But, I was determined so I made it happen. Sipped ginger ale in between sips of Plenvu for both doses. After the 2nd dose I felt very nauseous with a headache. Stomach rumbled a lot and used the bathroom several times during the night. Woke up at 6:30 for my procedure and felt pretty awful due to the severe dehydration and was extremely thirsty. My recommendations are to stay hydrated the day before and drink ginger ale with med. Other drinks did not help."

• Anonymous
• May 26, 2024

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Had taken bowel prep before and although taste was vile, did not have side effects as bad as with this. First dose was much too sweet but the second caused headache and nausea, which I hadn't had on moviprep, so I would not want to use this again if I was unfortunate enough to need to."

• DEB...
• December 10, 2015

MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I've been constipated for so long and was booked for a colonoscopy to check the reason for this. This MoviPrep is fantastic. When I saw my insides on the screen, I was amazed at how clean I was inside. Amazing. And the constipation completely cleared. I feel a ton lighter, and my tummy has gone right down. I am actually considering using this stuff once a month just to keep my digestion working well and to prevent further constipation issues. Oh, and the colonoscopy was clear, so still no idea why the constipation???? I would definitely recommend MoviPrep. Oh, but I have had a bit of a headache all day, and I felt absolutely freezing after I had finished the liquid. Well worth it though."

• Sha...
• May 15, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "This is horrible! I started the prep around 5:30 PM and honestly thought I would vomit before I was able to get it all down! The taste is vile, and then I only went to the bathroom 4-5 times overnight. However, my stomach was full feeling, and I felt achy all night, very little sleep. I took the second dose early morning, and this time the taste/texture was even worse. I immediately felt nauseous. My mouth was so dry, I was dying for something to drink. This round helped me go to the bathroom more, but still not as much as I knew I should. I felt like it was all in my stomach! I was barely able to get dressed to get there from the weakness and nausea, but the test was complete! However, here I am the next day, terrible headache, stomach cramps, fatigue, still going to the bathroom! This medicine literally sucks the life out of you for days. I came home from work early today, and I’m back in bed. This medicine should be dosed out based on the size of the patient and in extreme cases only."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2024

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Currently taking Plenvu for a procedure tomorrow and bar for it being an expected awful experience, my stomach has swollen up to 9-month pregnancy size, is bright red, and absolutely agony, particularly horrible pain in my left side at the end of my ribcage. Also have a fierce headache..."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "Awful, awful!! Absolutely disgusting taste. Very hard to get down! I threw up the second dose about an hour after finishing it. Gave me a horrible headache. I was extremely dehydrated, and my procedure ended up being canceled. Would not recommend this prep!!!"

• PRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2019

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I have had a colonoscopy before, and the prep medication was so much easier than Plenvu. I did okay with the 6 PM dose, however, the 5 AM dose was very hard to keep down. I had severe headaches and struggled to walk. I won't take Plenvu again. Although I note that my doctor said that Plenvu is better prep than others as far as cleaning the bowel. I won't take it next time."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2022

GoLYTELY (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) for Bowel Preparation "I finished all the prep, followed the diet. My procedure was canceled because I was still having particles of stool even though I was running clear within an hour of taking this stuff. It caused a severe headache, and I was starving. My insides gurgled, and I was on the toilet from 5:30 PM to 4 AM and still going in the morning. Yes, it was clear and yellow early on, but then I started to get stool particles, and they said I couldn't have any. They told me to do another prep without eating for another 24 hours! Last time, I used Miralax and laxatives with no problems. Not sure why this was suggested to me. I only had two other preps to choose from. So here I am, went through all that torture to still be in pain and don't know what's wrong with me. Don't use this prep."

• Pep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2024

Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes) 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."