MoviPrep Description

MoviPrep may be prescribed as a bowel preparation treatment before you undergo a colonoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a long tubular instrument into your rectum and can be advanced into your large intestine as an image of the lining of your colon is transmitted back to your doctor on a small screen. By emptying your bowels, the doctor gets a good view of the tissues inside your colon and can easily find any anomalies and extract a small tissue sample for testing. This can be a life-saving procedure for some patients.

How MoviPrep Works

MoviPrep is an osmotic laxative, which means it works by drawing water into the colon. This excess water softens the stool and will cause very watery bowel movements that flush waste from the intestines, cleaning them out. This allows the doctor an unobstructed view with the scope in order to thoroughly examine the colon.

Polyethylene Glycol and Electrolytes are the active ingredients in MoviPrep. Polyethylene Glycol is a laxative that causes water to be retained with the stool. This retention will create the passing of watery stools to clean out the colon. Because of the water loss, Electrolytes are added to MoviPrep to restore important minerals in your body.

Conditions Treated by MoviPrep

MoviPrep is used to cleanse the bowel before a colonoscopy, barium x-ray, or other intestinal procedures. A colonoscopy may be recommended by your doctor for many reasons, including rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, family history of colon cancer, and age. A colonoscopy enables the doctor to see inside the entire large intestine from the rectum to the lower end of the small intestine. If there are any abnormalities like polyps, inflammation, or ulcers, a biopsy can be taken or polyp(s) removed with another instrument fed through the colonoscope.

Before You Take MoviPrep

Using MoviPrep with certain medications may not be recommended. Advise your doctor of all prescription drugs, non-Rx medications and vitamins or supplements you may be taking before using MoviPrep. Ask if it is safe to take MoviPrep and undergo a colonoscopy if you are pregnant.

MoviPrep Precautions

MoviPrep should not be taken if you have a perforated bowel, a bowel obstruction, severe constipation, colitis or toxic mega colon. You must follow the directions for MoviPrep to ensure you have completely emptied your bowel or the colonoscopy may need to be rescheduled. Do not leave MoviPrep within children’s reach.

Possible Side Effects of MoviPrep

• Hunger
• Mild nausea
• Rectal irritation or pain
• Stomach cramps, gas, bloating

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects when taking MoviPrep; severe stomach pain, no bowel movement within 2 hours of use, fever, rectal bleeding.

Drugs Similar to MoviPrep

• Colyte Powder
• Lactulose Laxative
• PegLyte Fruit Flavored Powder