PLENVU FAQs

PLENVU Frequently Asked Questions

Your doctor may have told you to make certain changes to your diet to prepare for your colonoscopy. In addition, taking a bowel prep medicine like PLENVU will also help to make sure your colonoscopy is successful. Be sure to follow all of the prep instructions your doctor gave you.

A bowel prep like PLENVU is a medicine that you drink to help clean out your colon before a colonoscopy.

Having a clean colon is critical to a successful colonoscopy. It will allow your doctor to have the best view during the procedure so they can find any polyps that need to be removed.

Without a clear view of the colon, things like polyps can be missed, which could lead to cancer over time.

PLENVU is a medicine prescribed by your doctor to clean out your colon before a colonoscopy. PLENVU cleans out your colon by causing you to have diarrhea (loose, watery stools). When your colon is cleaned out, it helps your doctor see the inside of your colon more clearly during your colonoscopy.

PLENVU is approved to be used by adults only. It is not known if PLENVU is safe and effective in children.

Just like other bowel preps, when you take PLENVU, you will have watery diarrhea. That means PLENVU is working! You can expect your first bowel movement to happen 1 to 2 hours after taking the first dose of PLENVU, so make sure you’re near a bathroom.

You may also feel some bloating or stomach discomfort. If you have severe stomach discomfort or bloating, stop drinking PLENVU for a short time or wait a longer time between each dose until your symptoms improve.

You will continue to have bowel movements as you finish the prep process with PLENVU, so make sure you stay near a bathroom.

The most common side effects include nausea (feeling like you need to throw up), vomiting (throwing up), dehydration (fluid loss), and stomach pain or discomfort.

There are 2 different ways to take PLENVU: same-day morning-of-colonoscopy dosing and 2-day split-dosing. Please contact your doctor’s office if you’re not sure which way to take it. Each schedule has 2 doses. You’ll need to finish both doses to complete your prep.

Get dosing instructions here.

It’s important to stay hydrated before, during, and after taking PLENVU.

You don’t only need to drink water; you can also have any clear liquid you choose.

Remember, these are liquids you should drink in addition to your PLENVU bowel prep. These are not liquids you can use to mix with PLENVU.

Do not drink alcohol, milk, red or purple colored liquids, or drinks containing pulp.

Examples of clear liquids include:

  • Clear soda (ginger ale, seltzer)
  • Sports drinks (nothing colored red or purple)
  • Clear broth soups
  • Strained clear fruit juice (without pulp)
  • Strained lemonade or limeade
  • Coffee/tea (without milk or creamer)
  • Gelatin (without fruit or toppings; nothing colored red or purple)
  • Popsicles (without pieces of fruit or pulp; nothing colored red or purple)

You’ll need to stop drinking clear liquids at least 2 hours before your colonoscopy or as recommended by your doctor.

illustration of cell phone

Would you like text message reminders and other helpful tips?
Text PLENVU to 84883 to join the “It’s Go Time” Texting Program*
Text SAVE to 84883 to save on your prescription cost

Need to know more?
Call the toll-free PLENVU hotline at 1-855-MY-PLENVU for multilingual assistance from Sunday, 4 PM, to Friday, 8 PM, EST

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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.
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*At no cost with an unlimited texting plan; otherwise, message and data rates may apply. Message frequency determined by user. Text HELP to 84883 for help. Text STOP to 84883 to cancel. For terms, visit cs1.me/plenvu

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 www.fda.gov/medwatch
or call
1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088.

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

Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide and Instructions for Use.

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The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

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PLENVU is a registered trademark of the Norgine group of companies used under license. The Salix logo and "Little PEG" female character are trademarks of Salix Pharmaceuticals affiliated entities. Any other product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of the respective owners.

PLV.0148.USA.20   ©2020 Salix Pharmaceuticals or its affiliates.   October 2020