Picolax versus Moviprep

[Lizzie]

Can anybody who's used both tell me if Picolax bowel prep is less of an ordeal than Moviprep? The IBD nurse told me this today and I'm not sure whether to believe her or not. She said they give Picolax to people who can't tolerate Moviprep for whatever reason. (I don't quite understand why Moviprep is their first choice if Picolax really is easier to cope with.)

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I haven't done Moviprep, but I've done the US version of Picolax, which is called Prepopik (my understanding is that it's the exact same thing, just a different name). Yes, Prepopik/Picolax is actually quite easy to do. I had to drink a small cup of the laxative, and it didn't taste bad. Then I had to consume a certain amount of clear liquids of my choice to stay hydrated. About 4 hours later, I had to have a second cup of the Prepopik and that was it as far as the laxative that I was prescribed. Very easy to drink and keep down!

My only complaint was, it didn't work very well for me. I only used the bathroom a handful of times and I was sure that I wasn't cleaned out well enough. I had some dulcolax on hand, so I took some of those. I still wasn't going to the bathroom enough, so I took even more dulcolax. In the end, I think I took 10 of them - not advisable. I'm not sure if it was the Prepopik or the dulcolax or both, but things finally kicked in the morning of my scope - right as I arrived at the GI clinic! I got there an hour before my scope, and I spent that hour running to the bathroom. Even after they hooked me up to the monitors and IV and so on, I'd have to quickly unplug myself and grab my IV stand and run to the bathroom. Fortunately, when I had my scope, I was cleaned out well enough, but it felt like a close call.

So, I can't say that it wasn't less of an ordeal than other preps that I've done - it was just a different type of ordeal! It was very easy to get down but not strong enough for me, or didn't kick in fast enough for me, I'm not sure which. If I had to do that prep again, I'd start it earlier than my instructions said to, just to be on the safe side. And I'd either eat very lightly or not at all the day before doing prep, so that there'd be less in me to clean out. I hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[Lizzie]

Thank you for that advice. Actually the doctor did also mention Senakot in addition to the prep stuff, maybe Picolax isn't completely effective so it's a belt and braces approach. I'll try to eat less than usual for a while beforehand as you suggest.

 

[pb]

I've used both, the Picolax was terrible as far as cleaning me out properly and I was still using the toilet at the hospital while waiting to get my scope done...never again will I waste my time with Picolax, which is too bad cuz it was the best tasting prep I've ever used...MoviePrep works and I didn't even drink the full 2 glasses like I was suppose to and it had me cleaned out great! I've used Dulcolax tabs with both of those (and all other) preps and still had terrible results with the Pico...I've always done liquid meals for at least 2 days before prepping so that made no difference for me in how poorly the Picolax worked for me at least.

 

[CJAMR]

I'm due to use Moviprep tomorrow and slightly worried. Been prepering for two days with a low residue diet and have to drink a litre tomorrow night and another litre on Monday before i go to hospital. Will let yoh know hoe it goes

 

[Lizzie]

I reckon Moviprep will do the job brilliantly but it's awful stuff to take. When I took it I was surprised that I was still going to the loo half an hour before I had to leave home to get the the hospital for my colonoscopy, but the IBD nurse I spoke to yesterday said that's very common. Some people have even made a mess in their taxi, which must be really embarrassing. It would be helpful if the hospital warned people of this, they could plan ahead and wear pads or take something to sit on in case of leakage.

 

[pb]

I think it's strange that docs prescribe the same prep so differently, I've never taken any prepping products the day of my C-scope, it's all done one day before (not spread out over 2 days in any way) rather hours apart instead, and that includes the dulcolax pills which I'm always told to take first (first thing in the am the day I'm prepping, or something along those lines) then start drinking one full 8 oz glass (not jugs or litre after litre) of MoviePrep usually around noon or 1 pm then the second glass hours later, like maybe 4 pm so that by the time I go to bed at midnight I'm all cleared out. AND never eating anything the day of the prep, prep day is always liquids only and no solid food is ever allowed the day of the prep.

I'm glad my GI instructs the preps the way he does, some other ways people are instructed are really off the wall.