I have a colonoscopy next week and I have been given Picolax. I was due to have this colonoscopy a couple of days ago while taking the bowel prep called Moviprep. It was so disgusting I couldn't finish it and had to cancel and rearrange the colonoscopy to next week. I'm slightly worried about taking the new bowel prep. Does it taste anywhere near as bad as the Moviprep? The Moviprep made me gag after every mouthful and eventually I threw it up... I'm really hoping the Picolax tastes slightly better than the Moviprep. Anyone had it before?
I had it years ago and it wasn't half as much to drink as the Moviprep so the taste didn't really matter - I did find it a bit vicious though, but a lot of people don't mind it. The one I got on best with was citramag plus some senna bit each gastro department seem to prefer a different one!
That would be a lot better than trying to drink 2 litres of the Moviprep. As long as it tastes slightly better then I should be able to drink it. My consultant only does Moviprep or Picolax. Thanks for the reply.
Hi Charlotte,
I had picolax in May before my colonoscopy. It had a weak orange taste, definetely found it easy to drink and handle. I didn't try moviprep so cannot comment. What I would say is the picolax results, especially after the 2nd sachet aren't pleasant. Just prepare yourself for a night on the toilet and if you get anything less than that it's a bonus!
Eat sensibly the two days beforehand and good luck. Any further questions let me know.
Hi, thankyou for replying. The Moviprep was foul it tasted like pure salt and washing up liquid and sick with a slight hint of lemon. I managed to drink the first litre but couldn't get down the second. How much of Picolax do you have to drink and what times do you drink them during the day/evening?
A glass full each time. Not too bad can be sipped not down in one. my colonoscopy was 2pm Wednesday, I think I did a sachet at 2.30 And 6.30 on the Tuesday and 7am the day of it.
Thankyou I'm hoping I can handle the taste of it.
I agree with you, it's vile I managed all but the last 250ml....to drink all of it in one evening was just too much. I started off ok, added ice, used straw but by the end was gagging so much.
It did work though and wasn't bothered by the sitting on the toilet too much. No cramps, but did shiver and felt awful after drinking most if it.
The colonoscopy was fine, didn't have sedation or gas,( like to know what's going on) just breathed through the slight pain a couple of times it felt uncomfortable..
I hope the Picolax is better and that the procedure goes well too.
Yes I had Picolax. It was fine - much easier though to drink it through a straw and then the taste doesn't linger in your mouth.
Jan
Hi Charlotte, the picolax is a walk in the park compared to moviprep. My colonoscopy was booked for 10am so i had my first sachet at 3pm the day before and the 2nd sachet 2 hours later. It just tastes a little lemony and as its only a cup full each dose, by the time you taste it you have already finished the glass. Then have another drink at the ready to cleanse your palette. Don't worry if you don't go to the toilet immediately. My first bowel movement didn't happen until 7pm. Then it was hourly until midnight, and I was able to get a good sleep in before my procedure the next day. Drink lots of water and apply vaseline after every movement so you don't get sore 
Hi thankyou for replying at least it isn't as much to drink as the Moviprep. My colonoscopy is booked for 8am. Some people say that Picolax doesn't clean your colon out as much as the Moviprep. Did you have any issues?
Hi thanks for replying. It certainly was the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted and I could only manage the first litre. It also gave me horrible cramps in my stomach. I'm not too worried about the procedure as I will be sedated but it's the prep I'm worried about due to my bad experience with Moviprep.
Thankyou for replying did you find yourself having to mix the Picolax with anything to help the taste or was it bearable on its own?
It's bearable on its own
Hi I am having picolax rn I'm 14 and I have needed it 3 times it's is horrible and makes me want to threw it up but if I do it won't do the job it's meant to do Xx
No it's not nice - none of the preps are! But I prefer it to the other I was given, which wanted me to drink 3 litres of water with 2 doses. Now that DID make me want to throw up! Just think of it as a couple of days discomfort, then all over and done with.
For a colonoscopy you use Mirlax and Duclolax tablets and drink Gatorade with the Mirlax and there is no taste to that either I was suppse to get mine done on the 13th and had to cancel cause I was not cleaned out and that dumb nurse told me to come in anyway and get that done and I can tell you if you look online same man died from this he did not do it right he was not all the way cleaned out and he had health problems also and did not tell the staff or his doctor either and his family sued them so people need to do it right you have to be sediated for this test and put to sleep eventually they will have a new test where you won't have to be this test is quite old anyway from the 70's I think it is about time to have new test to where people will not be so afraid to do it.The worst part only is the prep and yes you have some discomfort after and then it goes away. I am getting mine done again and going in and being put to sleep and it only takes about 20-30 minutes for it that's all then done.
What better, newer test could there be to check for colon cancer other than physically looking AT the colon? MRIs cannot detect smaller polyps. Maybe the tried and true method is sometimes the best.
You *don’t* have to be sedated and there is always a risk with any anesthesia.
Yes, you could use Miralax as a substitute as polyethylene glycol is the active ingredient in the preps. Also, fast the day before the prep too so there’s less to clean out. The PEG 3500 is salty but chase it with something you like and it’s tolerable.
And Patty, punctuation and proofreading would help us follow your comments.
Well the way technology is there will be a new test to check the colon and there going too hear me this morning I had to go back and redo my colonoscopy now I got straight up dizzy spells and room is spinning I am not putting up with this and I doubt seriously if I do that again cause of the dizzy spells it would have been great if the staff and doctor would have said the side effect after having this done that's medical negligence also.
Last time I had it it was blackberry flavoured but it’s nothing like Movieprep because you don’t have to drink it in such quantities. I don’t like Picolax because I find the effect too violent but most people don’t, so I think I must have a sensitivity to the chemical. My favourite is citramag with a dose of senna beforehand but my present excellent colonoscopist prefers Movieprep. It’s not nice and there is a lot of it but it helps if you don’t panic and try and get it down too quickly. He favours the orange version which is a bit less sickly. I think people nevertheless have to get a sense of proportion and remember the value in having these tests. As a doctor friend of mine said, any part of the colonoscopy including the prep is better than chemotherapy where you don’t have any choices. Puts it in perspective.