This is a sponsored post. Salix Pharmaceuticals compensated me for this post. All opinions are my own. Certain product information has been included to meet regulations. Here is why I chose PLENVU again after my first experience with the bowel prep and a few other tips I picked up during my 14th colonoscopy.

colonoscopy-prep-night-drink

Choosing Plenvu Prep Again

If you’ve been following my story as a colon cancer survivor with Lynch Syndrome, you know that last October, my doctor found several polyps during my colonoscopy and that I needed a follow-up colonoscopy in six months.

Here’s a quick catch up:

  • The colonoscopy in April resulted in better news
  • I had one polyp removed, but my colon looked less inflamed and irritated
  • I got bumped back to colonoscopy once-a-year (instead of every six months!)
  • It made me grateful for the new technology that allows doctors to find colon polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer - I don’t need it a third time!
  • For my last colonoscopy, I used PLENVU® (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride and potassium chloride for oral solution)

INDICATIONS

  • PLENVU® (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride for oral solution) is a prescription medication used by adults to clean the colon before a colonoscopy

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Do not take PLENVU® if you have a blockage in your intestine (bowel obstruction), an opening in the wall of your stomach or intestine (bowel perforation), problems with food or fluid emptying from your stomach (gastric retention), a problem with food moving too slowly through your intestines (ileus), a very dilated large intestine, or an allergy to any of the ingredients in PLENVU®.

(See additional Important Safety Information below and click here for full Prescribing Information for PLENVU®.)

plenvu-taste-danielle

About PLENVU® prep

Last fall, I was made aware of a bowel prep option called PLENVU.

I’d never heard of it until May 2018, which is when it was FDA approved. But as a colon cancer patient who gets colonoscopies frequently, I was open to trying something new. Last year when I tried PLENVU, I was pleased with the results and wrote a patient review!

It was a clear choice when I needed another colonoscopy six months later. 

There were two major reasons why I chose PLENVU again: taste and volume.

PLENVU taste

Colonoscopy prep night is very dreaded not only for the bowel cleanse - but also because some bowel prep products that I’ve tried in the past taste horrible. I’ll spare you the stories about what it was like prepping for a colonoscopy nearly 20 years ago, but we’ve come a long way!

Compared to some of the other preps I’ve done - drink the gallon jug of laxative, take more than a dozen pills, mix a bubbly liquid with your favorite clear liquid, miralax and gatorade, etc...

PLENVU prep is by far one of the best experiences I’ve had.

The two doses taste different from one another:

First dose of PLENVU

Imagine what a liquid pixy stick would taste like, yet less sweet, a little fruity, and pretty salty (because preps have built-in balanced electrolytes to replenish what gets lost during the prep process). That’s what the first dose of PLENVU prep tasted like to me.

I was still clearly drinking a laxative - my tongue and my gut immediately felt that. But, it was tolerable if I took my time to sip it down.

Second dose of PLENVU

This drink didn’t taste nearly as concentrated, and was a lot easier to drink. It also had a sweet flavor to it—like bubble gum candy.

trying-plenvu-colonoscopy-prep

PLENVU volume

I chose to use PLENVU prep again because the taste is tolerable for me, and it’s a low volume bowel prep.

There’s less active solution to drink compared to many of the other options. The bowel prep kit even comes with a container that makes measuring and drinking easy.

Although it’s less active solution to drink than most, I still follow a few tricks that make drinking laxatives easier:

  • Refrigerate the prep products ahead of time
  • Use a straw
  • Drop in several ice cubes to keep the liquid cold
  • Have a clear “chaser” drink nearby

My friends at Fight Colorectal Cancer have a lot more colonoscopy prep tips.

A few other PLENVU tips

My last colonoscopy went well, and I was glad I chose to use PLENVU prep again. There’s a few important things for patients to know ahead of time if you’re considering this prep option:

  • Plenvu cost: Because this is a prescription product, it can cost more than some of the over-the-counter bowel prep options. It wasn’t covered by my insurance and it cost me around $50.
  • At the pharmacy: Because it’s still a relatively new product, the pharmacy had to order it, so don’t wait until the last minute to request and pick up your prep!

More about my story of survival

I know it's not common to run across a colon cancer survivor who was diagnosed at ages 17 and 25. But, cases like mine and people like me are on the rise! If you're curious to know the full story, read my memoir Blush: How I Barely Survived 17.

For more information about PLENVU Prep:

If you’re interested in trying PLENVU for your colonoscopy bowel prep, here’s additional information you need to know:

INDICATION

PLENVU® (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride for oral solution) is a prescription medication used by adults to clean the colon before a colonoscopy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Do not take PLENVU® if you have a blockage in your intestine (bowel obstruction), an opening in the wall of your stomach or intestine (bowel perforation), problems with food or fluid emptying from your stomach (gastric retention), a problem with food moving too slowly through your intestines (ileus), a very dilated large intestine, or an allergy to any of the ingredients in PLENVU®.
  • It is important to drink sufficient clear liquids before, during, and after the use of PLENVU®. Be sure to consume additional clear liquids after the first dose and second dose of PLENVU®. Stop drinking liquids 2 hours prior to colonoscopy.

BEFORE YOU TAKE PLENVU®, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU:

  • Have problems with serious loss of body fluid (dehydration) and changes in blood salts (electrolytes).
  • Have heart problems or take medication that affects your heart. Your doctor may consider obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) test if you are at an increased risk for heart rhythm abnormalities.
  • Have a history of seizures or take antiseizure medication.
  • Have kidney problems or take medication that affects kidney function. Your doctor may want to perform blood testing before and after your colonoscopy.
  • Have a history of stomach or bowel problems, such as ulcerative colitis, a bowel blockage, or a suspected opening in the wall of your stomach or intestine.
  • Have problems swallowing, heartburn (gastric reflux), or if you inhale food or fluid into your lungs when eating or drinking (aspirate).
  • Have a condition that destroys red blood cells, called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
  • Are withdrawing from drinking alcohol.
  • Have phenylketonuria (PKU). PLENVU® contains aspartame equivalent to 491 mg of phenylalanine per treatment.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

PLENVU® may affect how other medications work. Tell your doctor about all other medications (including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements) you take before you take PLENVU®. Do not take oral medications within 1 hour before or after starting each dose of PLENVU®.

Symptoms of serious allergic reactions may include skin rash, itching, raised red patches on your skin (hives), swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat, and kidney problems.

In clinical studies with PLENVU®, the most common side effects in patients taking PLENVU® were nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and abdominal pain/discomfort.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please click here for full Prescribing Information for PLENVU®.

For product information, adverse event reports, and product complaint reports, please contact:

Salix Product Information Call Center

Phone: 1-800-321-4576

Fax: 1-510-595-8183

Email: salixmc@dlss.com