MoviPrep

MoviPrep is a laxative used to cleanse the bowels before a colonoscopy. This prescription laxative works by softening the stool and causing watery bowel movements. It also contains electrolytes to replace those lost during treatment. It comes in the form of a powder that is dissolved in water. Typically, two liters of the solution are consumed within 24 hours, along with one liter of clear fluids.

MoviPrep Medication Information

What Is MoviPrep?

MoviPrep^® (polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution) is a prescription medication licensed to cleanse the bowels before a colonoscopy. This bowel cleansing is often called colonoscopy preparation, or bowel prep.

(Click MoviPrep Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes This Medication?

MoviPrep is made by Norgine, LTD, for Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

How Does MoviPrep Work?

MoviPrep is an osmotic laxative. It works by drawing water into the colon, which softens the stool and causes watery bowel movements. The watery bowel movements flush waste from the intestines, cleaning them out.

In addition to polyethylene glycol 3350 (the laxative component), MoviPrep contains electrolytes (potassium and sodium) to replace any electrolytes lost from the body during treatment.

Clinical Effects of MoviPrep

Clinical studies have shown that MoviPrep can effectively cleanse the bowel before a colonoscopy. In these studies, MoviPrep was compared to other bowel-cleansing medications in people scheduled to have a colonoscopy.

In one of the studies, 88.9 percent of people taking two liters of MoviPrep solution with one liter of clear fluid were determined to have an effective colon cleansing (a bowel clean enough to be visible during the colonoscopy), compared to 94.8 percent of people taking four liters of a different polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution.

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