How to take Plenvu

Read our guide below which explains how to take Plenvu.

You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.

What is Plenvu?^®

It’s a polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxative designed to cleanse your bowel prior to your planned colonoscopy. It does this by causing you to have diarrhoea, or frequent bowel movements. You’ll start passing brown liquid and this will gradually change into a clear/yellowish liquid.

A clean bowel will allow a clear view of the inner lining which is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Follow the instructions carefully. We may need to cancel the colonoscopy and repeat it at another time if the bowel isn’t clean enough.

If you think you’re not fit enough to go to the toilet many times to have your bowels open, don’t start taking this medication. Contact the doctor or team who referred you for this test for more advice.

What should I do before taking Plenvu? ^®

You need to follow a low fibre diet for 3 days before taking Plenvu^®. See the ‘low fibre diet‘ information about the type of diet you must follow.

How do I take Plenvu? ^®

Plenvu® is a two-dose preparation.

Dose 1 is a single mango-flavoured sachet.

Dose 2 is two sachets (A and B) which are fruit punch flavoured.

You must take all sachets with the right amount of water according to the timing.

What should I do if I’m taking other medication?

Do not take oral medication within one hour of taking Plenvu ® as it may not be absorbed properly. 

Follow the instructions below for the type of medication you take.

Medicine/patient type	Instruction	More details
Iron tablets	Stop 7 days before taking Plenvu®
Anticoagulants and anti-platelets (blood thinning medication). This includes: Warfarin Apixaban, Rivaroxiban Dabigatran Edoxaban Aspirin Dipyridamole Clopidogrel Ticagrelor Cangrelor	Tell the booking team who makes your appointment. They can arrange a pre-assessment consultation and advise you on what to do to prepare for your test.	Call the booking team on 01296 831210
Insulin controlled diabetes patients	See the supplementary information sheet and contact your diabetes specialist nurse or GP practice nurse for more advice if needed.	You can have glucose energy drinks and suck glucose tablets for hypoglycaemia. You’ll need to manage a reduction in your normal insulin dose during bowel preparation and until after your procedure.
Oral anti-diabetes tablets	See the supplementary information sheet and contact your diabetes specialist nurse or GP practice nurse for more advice if needed.	Absorption of tablets may be affected by the Plenvu®.
Diet controlled diabetes patients	No action required
All diabetes patients		Contact your booking co-ordinator on 01296 831210 to arrange a suitable appointment time
Anti-epileptics, oral contraceptives, antibiotic and oral anti-diabetic medication	Bowel cleansing may interfere with normal absorption of these drugs.	Contact the Medicines Resource Centre for more advice.
Anti-diarrhoeal tablets	Stop 3 days before taking Plenvu®

 

Do not take Plenvu® if you have:

• heart failure
• had a heart attack within the last 6 weeks
• kidney failure
• difficulty in swallowing
• severe breathing problems
• been told you have a stomach or bowel blockage
• had recent bowel surgery within the last 6 weeks
• been told you have active diverticulitis (this means that you will have pain and a doctor may have given you antibiotics)

Also, you must NOT take Plenvu if:

• it’s possible that you’re pregnant
• your condition has significantly changed since you were referred for this treatment.

If you have any of the symptoms above or your condition has changed, contact the Endoscopy unit where you’re having your procedure for advice.

How do I make up Plenvu®?

Plenvu® may be easier to take if:

• you drink through a straw
• it’s been refrigerated after it’s been made up
• you sip it slowly instead of drinking it quickly

Making up Plenvu® dose 1

You should make up Plenvu® Dose 1 when you need it, based on your dosing schedule (see below).

Making up Plenvu® dose 2

How to take Plenvu®

The timing of your Plenvu® doses depends on whether you have a morning (before 12noon) or afternoon (after 1pm) appointment.

Follow the relevant instructions below depending on your appointment time.

Stop eating by the shown time below.

You can have clear fluids until 2 hours before the procedure.

Suggested fluids include:

• water
• cordial
• squash (not blackcurrant)
• herbal tea of your choice.

You need to have these after each sachet of Plenvu®.

If you have a morning appointment

On the day before your colonoscopy, you can:

• eat a light breakfast
• eat a light lunch
• drink fluids

Do not eat past 3pm.

Take your first dose of Plenvu at 6pm

Drink 500ml of clear fluids

On the day of your colonoscopy

Take your second dose of Plenvu at 4.30am

Drink 500ml of clear fluids

Stop drinking fluids 2 hours before your colonoscopy

If you have an afternoon appointment

On the day before your colonoscopy, you can:

• eat a light breakfast
• eat a light lunch
• drink fluids

Do not eat past 3pm.

Take your first dose of Plenvu at 8pm.

Drink 500ml of clear fluids only.

On the day of your colonoscopy

Take your second dose of Plenvu at 9am.

Drink 500ml of clear fluids only.

Stop drinking fluids 2 hours before your colonoscopy.

What should I do after taking Plenvu® ?

Use a barrier cream to prevent a sore bottom, for example, petroleum jelly

Make sure you allow enough time to travel to the hospital for your colonoscopy.

Consider using wet wipes after each bowel movement. Wet wipes that have been refrigerated feel soothing.

How can I help reduce healthcare associated infections?

Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients so we have procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections.

You, and anyone visiting you, must use the hand sanitiser available at the entrance to every ward before coming in and after you leave. You may need to wash your hands at the sink using soap and water. Hand sanitisers are not suitable for dealing with patients who have symptoms of diarrhoea.

More help or advice

Contact our patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on 01296 316042 or bht.pals@nhs.net