HOW TO PREP FOR A COLONOSCOPY

I was compensated by Salix Pharmaceuticals for this post. However, all opinions are my own.

My life changed forever on January 29th, 2012. On this day, just a little over 10 years ago, I rushed my husband to the hospital with severe stomach pains. I had never seen him in that much pain before, and from everything that I knew and understood, I assumed he had appendicitis. I experienced the shock of my life when I came to find out that it wasn’t appendicitis, but a cancerous tumor. It’s crazy to think that this happened over 10 years ago because I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I remember the shock in my husband’s voice.

HOW TO PREP FOR A COLONOSCOPY

At the young age of 32 years old, and my husband at 36 years old, cancer touched our lives when he was diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. While it wasn’t colorectal cancer and wasn’t identified by undergoing a colonoscopy, the experience led us to become proactive and passionate about spreading valuable and important information about all things cancer-related, including colorectal cancer. Thankfully my husband is doing well and hasn’t had any issues since, but that time in our lives changed us.

HOW TO PREP FOR A COLONOSCOPY

Now that it’s March, it’s important to note that it is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Many of us have people in our lives that have been touched by colorectal cancer. It’s actually the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women combined. The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 22 (4.49%) for men and 1 in 24 (4.15%) for women.

cancer awareness month

The good news is that there are things you can do to help yourself and the ones you love to screen for colorectal cancer. I’m someone who likes to make sure I’m not only looking after myself but also my husband, mother, father, and three siblings. My father has risk factors for developing colorectal cancer, so I’m even more on top of him when it comes to undergoing regular colonoscopy screenings.

One of the most important things for people to know is that successful colorectal cancer screenings, like colonoscopies, may help with early detection. I know it’s not something that anyone necessarily likes to do, but screening is so important because in some cases, it can identify colorectal cancer in people who may not have any symptoms of colorectal cancer. From the time the first abnormal cells start to grow into polyps, it can take about 10 to 15 years for them to develop into colorectal cancer. With regular screening and colonoscopies, you can work with your doctor to be proactive for your GI health.

cancer awareness month

I know one of the most common questions that people ask and wonder is when they should start getting screened. According to updated guidelines from the American Cancer Society, if you’re at average risk and age 45 or older, you should start getting screened for colorectal cancer. This is also something that you should discuss with your doctor, especially if you have a family history of colorectal polyps or cancer.

cancer awareness month

When it comes to screening for colorectal cancer, there are several options. A colonoscopy is one option where your health care provider will be able to assess if there are any polyps and whether they are able to be removed. If this is something that you’re thinking of getting or about to get, I want to encourage you to make sure you prep successfully for it, especially since most patients perceive bowel preparation to be the most burdensome part of a colonoscopy. Making sure that you prep successfully is the most important part that you can do so that your doctor has a good clean view and can remove any polyps.

To help ensure a successful prep, there is a prescription medication called PLENVU® (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride for oral solution) that is a low-volume bowel prep solution used by adults to cleanse the colon before a colonoscopy.

PLENVU is the only bowel prep FDA approved for same-day morning-of-colonoscopy dosing (also known as one-day Morning dosing regimen) and 2-day split-dosing, which offers convenience and flexibility for patients. I personally love the flexibility when prepping for a colonoscopy. Another thing too is that PLENVU was designed with patients in mind, offering it in two flavors, mango and fruit punch. I also think it’s important to share that you can drink PLENVU cold, and it can be refrigerated, though it must be taken within 24 hours after it’s mixed with water.

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®.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information for PLENVU®.

I’m happy to share this with you because I know there are people that don’t get colonoscopies because they’re so worried about the prep for it. I want to encourage anyone who is worried about the prep portion to be at ease. A colonoscopy is an important screening and shouldn’t be put off, so by making the prep process successful, you’ll be ready.

PLENVU’s Indications and Important Safety Information:
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-1088.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information for PLENVU®.

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: [email protected]

 

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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