Bowel preparation with Plenvu - morning appointment

Enclosed is a box of Plenvu, which contains a sealed bag of bowel preparation. Each bag contains Dose 1 (single sachet) and Dose 2 (two sachets labelled ‘Dose 2 Sachet A’ and ‘Dose 2 Sachet B’). Please follow our advice carefully in order to ensure an empty bowel. This will allow a complete examination. When taking these preparations some intestinal cramping is normal. If you feel clammy and faint or if you vomit please take no more preparation and ring the contact details at the end of this leaflet or your own GP for advice.

Your doctor has specifically prescribed this bowel preparation for you – follow the instructions carefully to ensure a good result. Legally we must enclose the pharmaceutical leaflets; your doctor is aware that the above instructions may seem to be in conflict with these but the Endoscopy team considers this the best bowel preparation for you at this time.

Preparation for the test

How do I prepare for the test?

It is important for this test that your bowel is empty. In order to achieve this, please read and follow the instructions below.

Seven days before taking the preparation

If you take iron tablets or medication to control diarrhoea, please stop taking them until after your examination. You should continue to take any other medication including medication for high blood pressure/ cardiac conditions.

Three days before taking the preparation

You may eat your normal meals for the whole three days, but avoid high-fibre foods such as fruit, vegetables, wholemeal bread and all-bran (see below).

The day before the colonoscopy

08:00 hrs (8 am)

Eat breakfast from the ‘You may eat’ list above.

DO NOT EAT ANY MORE SOLID FOOD UNTIL AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE.

Please ensure you drink plenty of clear fluid to keep yourself hydrated.

Acceptable fluids include:

1. Water / flavoured water
2. Tea and coffee (no milk)
3. Clear soup, for example Consommé that contains no solids
4. Fruit juice without pulp, for example orange or lemon squash that is diluted (not red or purple in colour)
5. Clear fizzy drinks, for example lemonade, Lucozade, tonic water, cream soda, soda water
6. Bovril/ Oxo
7. Lime cordial
8. Herbal teas (no milk)
9. Clear apple juice or white grape juice
10. Jelly (no red jelly and without fruit pieces)

17:00 hrs (5 pm)

Prepare the Plenvu:

1. Empty the contents of ‘Dose 1’ into a measuring container that holds 500ml (0.9 pints) of fluid.
2. Add water to make up to 500ml and stir until the powder has dissolved. This may take up to eight minutes.
3. Drink all of the dissolved mixture over 30 minutes until you have drunk it all. There is no need to rush.
4. A further 500ml of clear fluid must be drunk over the next 30 minutes. There is no need to rush.

You may begin to pass frequent loose motions; please stay near a toilet at this time.

20:00 hrs (8pm)

Prepare the Plenvu:

1. Empty the contents of Dose 2 (‘Dose 2 Sachet A’ and ‘Dose 2 Sachet B’) into a measuring container that holds 500ml of fluid.
2. Add water to make up to 500ml and stir until the powder has dissolved. This may take up to eight minutes.
3. Drink all of the dissolved mixture over 30 minutes until you have drunk it all. There is no need to rush.
4. A further 500ml of clear fluid must be drunk over the next 30 minutes. There is no need to rush.

You should continue to drink fluids up until your appointment, unless you have been booked for a gastroscopy at the same time in which case you should stop four hours before.

You may find that a small amount of Vaseline/ Sudocrem to your back passage (anus) prevents discomfort during the bowel preparation. Some intestinal cramping is normal. If you feel clammy and faint, or if you vomit, please take no more preparation and contact the following numbers

Between 7.30am – 18.30pm – ring the Endoscopy Unit nurses on 01223 216515

Between 18.30pm and 7.30am – ring U2 (gastroenterology ward) nursing team on 01223 388168 ring the Endoscopy Unit nurses on

01223 216515 for advice.

Useful contacts

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact:
Addenbrooke’s Endoscopy Unit nurses
01223 216515
Monday to Saturday 08:00 to 18:00 (8am to 6pm).

If you have any urgent concerns outside these hours please contact your GP surgery.