Useful information about Plenvu®

Plenvu® is a laxative that is designed to cleanse your bowel prior to your planned procedure by causing you to have frequent diarrhoea (liquid bowel movements).

Plenvu® has a strong flavour that some people do not like. It is quite common to feel nauseous while drinking it, but this usually settles once each dose is completed. The flavour comes from one of the ingredients in Plenvu® (ascorbate) which, although strong, helps to make sure the medicine works correctly.

It is important you follow the instructions carefully and take all of each dose as the procedure may have to be cancelled and repeated at another time if the bowel is not clean enough.

If you are taking any medicines orally (by mouth) these may not be absorbed properly and not have their desired effect if they are taken within 1 hour before, during or after taking Plenvu®. You should speak to your healthcare professional if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. This includes oral contraceptives; if you are taking oral contraceptives you may need to use additional forms of contraception (e.g. a condom) to prevent pregnancy. If you need to thicken fluids in order to swallow them safely, Plenvu® may stop the thickener from working.

After you start taking your Plenvu® doses, you should not eat any solid food until after your procedure. However, it is important to drink clear fluids as directed and stay hydrated throughout the preparation. Plan ahead and make sure you have enough fluids handy.

Clear fluids you can drink with Plenvu®

• 
  Water or diluted cordials (not blackcurrant)
• 
  Clear soup
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  Tea or coffee (without milk)
• 
  Clear fruit juice (without pulp)
• 
  Herbal tea

You should avoid drinks containing alcohol, milk, red- or purple-colouring, or pulp.

If your procedure includes a general anaesthetic, all intake of fluid must be stopped at least 2 hours before your procedure.

If your procedure does not include a general anaesthetic, all intake of fluid must be stopped at least 1 hour before your procedure.

Low-fibre foods you can eat ahead of taking Plenvu®

Your healthcare professional may suggest that you adopt a low-fibre diet when preparing for your bowel preparation to aid the bowel cleansing process. This can include preferred foods such as:

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  White meat, skinless chicken, grilled or poached fish
• 
  Cheese, eggs, tofu
• 
  White bread, rice, pasta, boiled or mashed potatoes
• 
  Butter
• 
  Ice cream, custard
• 
  Shredless marmalade or jam

Your healthcare professional may suggest avoiding high-fibre food such as:

• 
  Red meat, sausages, pies
• 
  Nuts, seeds and pulses, including baked beans
• 
  Vegetables
• 
  Fruit or salad
• 
  Puddings containing fruit or nuts
• 
  Wholemeal or brown bread
• 
  Wholemeal pasta, brown rice
• 
  Yoghurts
• 
  Cakes and biscuits
• 
  Potato skins or chips

If you have specific dietary requirements or conditions, please discuss these with your doctor to understand which of the preferred foods you can eat.

For more information on what to do before your procedure, see our Hints & Tips.

The time of your procedure may affect the timing of your Plenvu® dose. Your healthcare professional will provide you information on when to take your Plenvu® doses. They may instruct you to take both dose on the same day, or one on one day and one the next.

For more information on how to take Plenvu®, see the video on our home page.

After taking a laxative and having a bowel cleansing procedure it is common to experience some minor effects such as stomach cramping, bloating, unusual bowel movements, light-headedness or fatigue.

It is important to give your body time to rest and recover following the procedure. Remember to take it easy, relax and ease back into daily activities. You should follow the advice given by your healthcare professional on how best to recover from your procedure.