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MoviPrep FAQs

Find out more about MoviPrep

How does MoviPrep work?

MoviPrep is an osmotic laxative with electrolytes that produces a watery stool leading to colon cleansing.1

What are the active ingredients of MoviPrep?

PEG-3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate, and ascorbic acid.1

Is MoviPrep proven for effective colon cleansing?

MoviPrep had excellent or good overall colon cleansing when administered with a PM|AM Split-Dosing™ regimen.1

Effectiveness of Overall Colon Cleansing in the Study of MoviPrep vs 4–Liter Polyethylene Glycol Plus Electrolytes Solution

Responders
A† or B‡ (%)		 C§ (%) D|| (%)
MoviPrep
(N=153)		 88.9 9.8 1.3
4L PEG + E*
(N=155)		 94.8 4.5 0.6

*4L PEG + E is 4-liter polyethylene glycol plus electrolytes solution.
†A: Colon empty and clean or presence of clear liquid, but easily removed by suction.
‡B: Brown liquid or semisolid remaining amounts of stool, fully removable by suction or displaceable, thus allowing a complete visualization of the gut mucosa.
§C: Semisolid amounts of stool, only partially removable with a risk of incomplete visualization of the gut mucosa.
||D: Semisolid or solid amounts of stool; consequently colonoscopy incomplete or needed to be terminated.
4-L PEG+E's responder rate was not significantly higher than MoviPrep's responder rate.

What are the adverse events associated with MoviPrep?

Most common adverse reactions for split dosing (incidence ≥5%) are malaise, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain. The most common adverse reactions for evening only dosing (incidence ≥5%) are abdominal distension, anal discomfort, thirst, nausea, abdominal pain, sleep disorder, rigors, hunger, malaise, vomiting, and dizziness.1

What are the contraindications and warnings/precautions for MoviPrep?

MoviPrep is contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, bowel perforation, gastric retention, ileus, toxic colitis or toxic megacolon, and patients who have had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to any of its components. MoviPrep should be used with caution in patients at risk of or with fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, hyponatremia, arrhythmias, seizures, in patients with impaired renal function or patients taking concomitant medications that affect renal function, patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease, patients with suspected GI obstruction or perforation, patients at risk for aspiration, and patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. MoviPrep contains 233 mg of phenylalanine per treatment.1

How is MoviPrep prepared?

MoviPrep solution is prepared by mixing the ingredients provided and adding 1 L of lukewarm water (a suitable container is necessary). Mix the solution to ensure that the ingredients are completely dissolved (if the patient prefers, the MoviPrep solution can be refrigerated prior to drinking, but should be used within 24 hours). After consumption of the first liter of MoviPrep, the above mixing procedure should be repeated with the rest of the ingredients to reconstitute the second liter of the MoviPrep solution.1

Which liquids can my patients drink?

Any clear liquid of their choice is appropriate, such as1

  • Water
  • Clear soup
  • Fruit juice without pulp
  • Soft drinks
  • Tea and/or coffee without milk

Is MoviPrep indicated for adults and children?

MoviPrep is indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. The safety and effectiveness of MoviPrep in pediatric patients has not been established.1

How does split dosing affect the bowel prep experience of the patient?

A study showed that the percentage of patients who required a bathroom stop in transit to their colonoscopy was similar with both split-dose and evening-only regimens.2 Also, in a recent survey, 85% of patients would be willing to wake as early as 3 AM for the second dose when informed of the importance of the quality of preparation for early detection of colorectal cancer.3 Finally, in a comparative study, patients taking split-dose formulation were more often satisfied with the bowel preparation than those who took the bowel prep entirely the evening before.2 In fact, 9 out of 10 MoviPrep patients say they would take MoviPrep again.4

Does the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommend split dosing?

Yes, since 2008 the ACG has recommended split dosing for bowel preps.5

View the ACG Guidelines Recommendations pdf icon

Important Safety Information about MOVIPREP

MOVIPREP® (PEG-3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid for oral solution) is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. MOVIPREP is contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, bowel perforation, gastric retention, ileus, toxic colitis or toxic megacolon, and patients who have had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to any of its components. MOVIPREP should be used with caution in patients at risk of or with fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, hyponatremia, arrhythmias, seizures, in patients with impaired renal function or patients taking concomitant medications that affect renal function, patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease, patients with suspected GI obstruction or perforation, patients at risk for aspiration, and patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Most common adverse reactions for split dosing (incidence ≥5%) are malaise, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain. The most common adverse reactions for evening only dosing (incidence ≥5%) are abdominal distension, anal discomfort, thirst, nausea, abdominal pain, sleep disorder, rigors, hunger, malaise, vomiting, and dizziness. MOVIPREP contains 233 mg of phenylalanine per treatment. Advise patients to hydrate adequately before, during, and after the use of MOVIPREP.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/ or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Complete Prescribing Information pdf icon

For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc.

References: 1. MoviPrep [prescribing information]. Morrisville, NC. Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc; 2011. 2. Khan MA, Piotrowski Z, Brown MD. Patient acceptance, convenience, and efficacy of single-dose versus split-dose colonoscopy bowel preparation J Clin Gastroenterol. 2010;44:310-311. 3. Unger RZ, Amstutz SP, Seo da H, Huffman M, Rex DK. Willingness to undergo split-dose bowel preparation for colonoscopy and compliance with split-dose instructions. Dig Dis Sci. 2010;55:2030-2034. 4. Data on File, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 5. Rex DK, Johnson DA, Anderson JC, Schoenfeld PS, Burke CA, Inadomi JM. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for colorectal cancer screening 2008. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:739-750.