The colonoscopy prep
During a colonoscopy, your doctor carefully examines the walls and lining of your digestive tract, looking for any subtle abnormalities that could be a sign of something more serious. To ensure a thorough examination, your colon must be completely emptied of all waste material. To accomplish this, your doctor will prescribe a colonoscopy preparation (also known as a colonoscopy prep or bowel prep) before your exam.
The colonoscopy preparation works by causing diarrhea so your body can flush out all solid waste, giving your doctor a clear view of your entire large intestine and colon. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, but your doctor may also prescribe a bowel prep for a number of procedures, including
Be sure you understand your physician's instructions for the colonoscopy prep—a complete prep is key to a successful colonoscopy.
There are many varieties of prescription colonoscopy prep medications available that use different methods to flush out the colon, and their safety and efficacy have been established in clinical trials. Some people use over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives to prepare for a colonoscopy, but these are not FDA approved for colonoscopy prep. Their safety and efficacy have not been established in clinical trials.
The importance of a thorough colonoscopy prep
Colonoscopy is a potentially lifesaving procedure that requires a complete colonoscopy prep. Solid matter can block your doctor's view of the walls of your colon—potentially resulting in missed lesions or polyps, which can grow into cancer if they are not removed. An incomplete bowel prep can also result in cancelled appointments and an increased risk of complications.1 To learn more about why a colonoscopy prep is important, read about colon cancer.
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 
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Reference: 1. Wexner SD, Beck DE, Baron TH, et al; American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. A consensus document on bowel preparation before colonoscopy: prepared by a task force from American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. Gastrointest Endosc. 2006;63:894-909.