MoviPrep

Generic name: polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution [ pall-ee-ETH-il-een-GLYE-kol-ee-LEK-troe-lyte ]
Drug class: Laxatives

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 4, 2023.

What is MoviPrep?

MoviPrep is a laxative solution that stimulates bowel movements. This medication also contains minerals to replace electrolytes that are passed from the body in the stool.

MoviPrep is used to clean the bowel before colonoscopy, a barium x-ray, or other intestinal procedures. MoviPrep cleans your colon by causing you to have diarrhea (loose stools).

Cleaning your colon with MoviPrep helps your healthcare provider see the inside of your colon more clearly during your colonoscopy.

Warnings

Do not use MoviPrep if you have a perforated bowel, a bowel obstruction or severe constipation, or colitis or toxic megacolon.

MoviPrep can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects in people with these conditions.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use MoviPrep if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol or any other electrolyte solutions (such as Pedialyte or Gatorade), or if you have:

• a perforated bowel;

• a bowel obstruction or severe constipation; or

• colitis or toxic megacolon.

MoviPrep can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects in people with these conditions.

People with eating disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia) should not use this medicine without the advice of a doctor.

To make sure MoviPrep is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems, or a heart attack;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood);

• kidney disease;

• a seizure;

• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcerative colitis, or other stomach or bowel disorder;

• trouble swallowing, aspiration (accidentally inhaling food or drink);

• a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or

• a drug or alcohol addiction.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

MoviPrep may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take MoviPrep?

MoviPrep powder must be mixed with water into a solution before using it. Do not add any flavorings such as sugar, honey, artificial sweetener, fruit juices, or other beverages.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Shake the mixture well just before you measure a dose. Drink this medicine in the exact portions at the exact time intervals prescribed by your doctor.

MoviPrep comes with instructions about when and what to eat or drink on your first day of treatment. Each brand may have different instructions.

Do not drink MoviPrep solution if it has been less than 1 hour since you last ate solid food. For best results, take the medicine 2 to 4 hours after you last ate.

The first watery stool should appear within 1 hour after you start drinking MoviPrep. Keep taking the medicine until you have completed all doses prescribed by your doctor.

Drink plenty of clear liquids (water, broth, black coffee, tea, clear soda) before, during, and after your treatment. Avoid foods and beverages that contain pulp or are red or purple in color. You may also eat popsicles (not fruit bars or fudge bars) or gelatin without fruit pieces or toppings.

Store the unmixed MoviPrep powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the mixed solution in a refrigerator in an upright position.

Throw away any MoviPrep solution you have not used within 24 to 48 hours after it was mixed (follow directions for your specific brand of this medicine).

Do not eat or drink anything within 2 hours before your medical test.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Bowel Preparation:

4 Liter preparations:
8 oz., orally, every 10 minutes, until the rectal effluent is clear or 4 liters are consumed
or
20 to 30 mL per minute, via a nasogastric tube

2 Liter preparations:
-Split-dose regimen:
8 oz., orally, every 15 minutes over 1 hour, then 0.5 L (approximately 16 oz.) of clear fluid the evening before colonoscopy; repeat this dosing the morning of the colonoscopy

-Evening only regimen:
8 oz., orally, every 15 minutes over 1 hour, the evening before the colonoscopy; about 1.5 hours later, 8 oz., orally, every 15 minutes over 1 hour
-An additional 1 liter (about 32 oz.) of clear liquid should be consumed the evening before the colonoscopy.
-Recommended start time is around 6 PM.

Comments:
-Product must be reconstituted prior to administration.
-Rapid drinking of each portion is preferred to drinking small amounts continuously.
-Avoid red and purple liquids when consuming clear fluids.

Use: Bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy and barium enema X-ray examination

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bowel Preparation:

6 months or older:
25 mL/kg/hour, orally or via a nasogastric tube, until the rectal effluent is clear

Comments:
-Not all products are approved for pediatric use; the manufacturer product information should be consulted.

Use: Bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy and barium enema X-ray examination

What happens if I miss a dose?

Talk to your doctor if you cannot drink all of the solution prescribed for you. Your test or procedure may need to be rescheduled if your bowel is not completely cleansed.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Avoid taking other medications, vitamins, or mineral supplements within 1 hour before drinking MoviPrep solution. A bowel cleansing can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth.

Do not use other laxatives while using MoviPrep solution unless your doctor has told you to.

MoviPrep side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to MoviPrep: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• no bowel movement within 2 hours after use;

• vomiting;

• dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;

• little or no urination;

• a seizure; or

• signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, dry mouth, confusion, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, irregular heartbeats, tingly feeling.

You may need to drink the liquid more slowly, or stop using it for a short time if you have certain side effects. Call your doctor for instructions if you have:

• gagging, choking, severe stomach pain or bloating;

• nausea, vomiting, headache, trouble drinking liquids, little or no urinating; or

• fever, sudden or severe stomach pain, severe diarrhea, rectal bleeding or bright red bowel movements.

Common MoviPrep side effects may include:

• vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, bloating;

• rectal pain or irritation;

• hunger, thirst, mild nausea;

• trouble sleeping; or

• dizziness, chills.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect MoviPrep?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• heart or blood pressure medication;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• medicine to treat anxiety, depression, or mental illness;

• medications to treat kidney problems or low sodium levels (hyponatremia);

• seizure medication; or

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with polyethylene glycol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the difference between Plenvu and MoviPrep?

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use MoviPrep only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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