Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. You must read, understand, and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine in two dosing regimens: Split-Dose dosing regimen and Day-Before dosing regimen. Your doctor will tell you how to take this medicine depending on your colonoscopy schedule, distance traveled, and other personal circumstances.

You may drink clear liquid (eg, black coffee or tea without milk, cream, soy, or nondairy creamer, clear broth or bouillon, clear juices without pulp, frozen juice bars, ginger ale, other sodas, plain gelatin, plain or flavored water, sports drinks) up until 2 hours before your colonoscopy. Do not drink red or purple liquids.

Do not eat solid foods or drink alcohol, dairy, drinks, juices with pulp, soy milk, or any drinks, gelatin, or other liquids that are red or purple a day before your colonoscopy.

To use Clenpiq®:

  • This medicine is available in a ready-to-drink bottle and is equal to one dose. You will need two doses of this medicine. Drink all of this medicine straight from the bottle.
  • Drink five or more 8 ounce cups of clear liquids after the first dose of this medicine and drink four or more 8 ounce cups after the second dose.
  • You may have bloating or an upset stomach before the loose stools start.

To use Prepopik®:

  • One dose of this medicine consists of 2 packets of powder. Each packet is mixed with cold water (5 ounces) for 2 to 3 minutes and taken at separate dosing times. Drink the liquid right away after mixing. Do not prepare the solution in advance.
  • Do not take the powder directly without mixing it with cold water. Doing so, may increase risk of side effects.
  • Use the supplied medicine cup when preparing the solution.
  • Drink at least five 8 ounce cups of clear liquids over the next 5 hours after the first dose and drink at least three 8 ounce cups of clear liquids 2 hours before your colonoscopy after the second dose.
  • You may have bloating or an upset stomach before the loose stools start.

Avoid taking other laxatives while you are taking this medicine.

Do not take any medicine by mouth within 1 hour before using citric acid, magnesium oxide, and sodium picosulfate combination. Oral medicines may not be absorbed completely.

Take chlorpromazine, digoxin, iron supplement, penicillamine, or antibiotics (eg, fluoroquinolone, tetracycline) at least 2 hours before or not less than 6 hours after taking this medicine.

Do not drink anything at least 2 hours before the colonoscopy.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For cleansing of the colon:
    • For oral dosage form (powder for solution):
      • Adults and children 9 years of age and older—Your doctor will prescribe your dosing regimen to be taken the day or night before your colonoscopy.
        • Split-dose dosing regimen: Take your first packet the night before colonoscopy, and the second dose the next day, in the morning or at least 5 hours before your colonoscopy.
        • Day-Before dosing regimen: Take your first packet in the afternoon or early evening, and the second dose at least 6 hours after the first dose, the night before colonoscopy.
      • Children younger than 9 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults and children 9 years of age and older—Your doctor will prescribe your dosing regimen to be taken the day or night before your colonoscopy.
        • Split-dose dosing regimen: Take your first bottle the night before colonoscopy, and the second dose the next day, in the morning or at least 5 hours before your colonoscopy.
        • Day-Before dosing regimen: Take your first bottle in the afternoon or early evening, and the second dose at least 6 hours after the first dose, the night before colonoscopy.
      • Children younger than 9 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not refrigerate or freeze Clenpiq® or the mixed Prepopik®.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.