PATIENT INFORMATION
PLENVU®
(plen-vu)
(polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic
acid, sodium chloride and potassium chloride for oral solution)
Read this Medication Guide and Instructions for Use
before your colonoscopy and again before you start taking PLENVU.
What is the most important information I should know
about PLENVU?
PLENVU and other bowel preparations can cause serious
side effects, including:
- Serious loss of body fluid (dehydration) and changes
in blood salts (electrolytes) in your blood. These changes can cause:
- abnormal heartbeats that can cause death.
- seizures. This can happen even if you have never had a
seizure.
- kidney problems.
Your chance of having fluid loss and changes in body
salts with PLENVU is higher if you:
- have heart problems.
- have kidney problems.
- take water pills (diuretics), high blood pressure
medicine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have
any of these symptoms of serious loss of body fluid (dehydration) while taking
PLENVU:
- vomiting
- urinating less often than normal
- dizziness
- headache
See “What are the possible side effects of PLENVU?”
for more information about side effects.
What is PLENVU?
PLENVU is a prescription medicine used by adults to clean
the colon before a colonoscopy. PLENVU cleans your colon by causing you to have
diarrhea (loose stools). Cleaning your colon helps your healthcare provider see
the inside of your colon more clearly during your colonoscopy.
It is not known if PLENVU is safe and effective in
children.
Do not take PLENVU if your healthcare provider has
told you that you have:
- a blockage in your intestine (bowel obstruction).
- an opening in the wall of your stomach or intestine
(bowel perforation).
- problems with food and fluid emptying from your stomach
(gastric retention).
- a problem with food moving too slowly through your
intestines (ileus).
- a very dilated intestine (toxic megacolon).
- an allergy to any of the ingredients in PLENVU. See the
end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in PLENVU.
Before taking PLENVU, tell your healthcare provider
about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have problems with serious loss of body fluid
(dehydration) and changes in blood salts (electrolytes).
- have heart problems.
- have seizures or take medicines for seizures.
- have kidney problems or take medicines for kidney
problems.
- have stomach or bowel problems, including ulcerative
colitis.
- have problems with swallowing, gastric reflux or if you
inhale food or fluid into your lungs when eating or drinking (aspirate).
- have a condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
(G6PD) deficiency that destroys red blood cells.
- are withdrawing from drinking alcohol.
- have phenylketonuria (PKU). PLENVU contains
phenylalanine.
- are allergic to any of the ingredients in PLENVU.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known
if PLENVU will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider if you
are pregnant.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known
if PLENVU passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should
decide if you will take PLENVU while breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take,
including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal
supplements.
PLENVU may affect how other medicines work. Do not
take medicines by mouth 1 hour before or after the start of PLENVU.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:
- medicines to treat a blood salt (electrolyte) imbalance.
- medicines for blood pressure or heart problems.
- medicines for seizures (antiepileptics).
- medicines for kidney problems.
- water pills (diuretics).
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- laxatives. Do not take other laxatives while taking
PLENVU.
- medicines for depression or other mental health problems.
Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of
these medicines if you are not sure if you are taking any of the medicines
listed above.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show
your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take PLENVU?
See the “Instructions for Use” for dosing
instructions. You must read, understand, and follow these instructions to take
PLENVU the right way.
- Take PLENVU exactly as your healthcare provider tells you
to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you to take the Two-Day
Split-Dosing option or the One-Day Morning Dosing option.
- Drink only clear liquids before, during, and after you
take PLENVU, until 2 hours before your colonoscopy to help prevent fluid loss
(dehydration).
- Do not eat solid food while taking PLENVU until after
your colonoscopy.
- It is important for you to drink the additional amount of
clear liquids listed in the Instructions for Use.
- You may have stomach-area (abdomen) bloating after your
first dose of PLENVU.
- If you have severe stomach-area (abdomen) discomfort or
bloating, stop drinking PLENVU for a short time or wait a longer time between
each dose of PLENVU until your stomach-area symptoms improve. If your stomach-area
discomfort or bloating continues, tell your healthcare provider.
- Your first bowel movement may happen about 1 to 2 hours
after you start taking PLENVU.
- If you take too much PLENVU, call your healthcare
provider.
What are the possible side effects of PLENVU?
PLENVU can cause serious side effects including:
- Changes in certain blood tests. Your healthcare
provider may do blood tests after you take PLENVU to check your blood for
changes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of too much
fluid loss, including:
- vomiting
- heart problems
- seizures
- dizziness
- kidney problems
- dry mouth
- feel faint, weak or lightheaded especially when you stand
up (orthostatic hypotension)
- Ulcers of the bowel or bowel problems (ischemic colitis):
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have severe stomach-area
(abdomen) pain or rectal bleeding.
- Serious allergic reactions. Symptoms of a serious
allergic reaction may include:
- skin rash
- raised red patches on your skin (hives)
- kidney problems
- itching
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat
The most common side effects of PLENVU include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- dehydration
- stomach pain or discomfort
These are not all the possible side effects of PLENVU.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store PLENVU?
- Store PLENVU (before opening and after mixed) at room
temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). PLENVU may also be stored in
a refrigerator.
- Use PLENVU within 6 hours after mixing with water.
Keep PLENVU and all medicines out of the reach of
children.
General information about the safe and effective use
of PLENVU.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other
than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use PLENVU for a condition for
which it was not prescribed. Do not give PLENVU to other people, even if they
are going to have the same procedure you are. It may harm them.
You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for
information that is written for healthcare professionals.
What are the ingredients in PLENVU?
Active ingredient:
Dose 1: PEG 3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride,
potassium chloride
Dose 2 Pouch A: PEG 3350, sodium chloride, potassium
chloride
Dose 2 Pouch B: sodium ascorbate, ascorbic acid
Inactive ingredients:
Dose 1: sucralose, encapsulated citric acid, mango
flavoring
Dose 2 Pouch A: aspartame, fruit punch flavoring
Instructions for Use
PLENVU®
(polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid,
sodium chloride and potassium chloride for oral solution)
There are two different options for taking PLENVU. Your healthcare provider will tell you to take the Two-Day Split-Dosing option or the One-Day Morning Dosing option.
The following are provided with the pack:
- An outer carton:
- An inner carton:
- A mixing container with removable lid:
The inner carton contains:
- Dose 1
- Dose 2 Pouch A and Dose 2 Pouch B (to be taken together)
- Prescribing Information and Patient Information
Additional supplies:
- Water (to mix with PLENVU).
- Scissors (optional to cut the pouches on the dotted line).
- Spoon (optional to mix the water and PLENVU together. You can also mix the water and PLENVU by putting the lid on securely and shaking it. See step 1c below).
Important Information on PLENVU:
Two-Day Split-Dosing Schedule
Take Dose 1 in the evening sometime between 4 pm and 8 pm.
Take Dose 2 the next morning, on the day of the colonoscopy. This should be about 12 hours (between about 4 am and 8 am) after you started Dose 1. Make sure you finish Dose 2 at least 2 hours before your colonoscopy.
Follow steps 1 through 3 on how to mix with a spoon or shake with lid on securely and take PLENVU:
Step 1a: Empty Dose 1 into the mixing container that comes with your PLENVU.
Step 1b: Add water to the fill line. You will need to add least 16 ounces.
Step 1c: Mix the water and PLENVU together with a spoon or put lid on mixing container securely and shake the water and PLENVU, until it is completely dissolved. This can take 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 2: Drink the entire contents of the mixing container over the next 30 minutes.
If you feel like you have severe stomach pain or discomfort you can stop taking PLENVU for a short time and then continue taking it or you can take smaller sips of PLENVU so that you space out your dose longer than 30 minutes. If you still have severe stomach pain, call your healthcare provider.
Step 3: Rinse the mixing container with water. Refill to the fill line with clear liquids. This will be at least 16 ounces. Drink the entire contents of the mixing container over the next 30 minutes. Continue to drink additional clear liquids during the evening. For a list of clear liquids, see examples at the top of the Instructions for Use.
After taking PLENVU if you have any bloating or feeling like your stomach is upset, wait to take Dose 2 until your stomach feels better.
For Dose 2: Rinse the mixing container with water. Repeat Steps 1, 2 and 3 but this time for Dose 2 you will empty two dose pouches (Dose 2 Pouch A and Dose 2 Pouch B) into the mixing container at the same time. It is important that you drink additional clear liquids, but you must stop drinking all liquids 2 hours before your colonoscopy.
One-Day Morning Dosing Schedule
Take Dose 1 the morning of your colonoscopy sometime between 3 am and 7 am.
Take Dose 2 about two hours after you start Dose 1. Make sure you finish Dose 2 at least 2 hours before your colonoscopy.
Follow the steps 1 through 3 on how to mix with a spoon or shake with lid on securely and take PLENVU:
Step 1a: Empty Dose 1 into the mixing container that comes with your PLENVU.
Step 1b: Add water to the fill line. You will need to add least 16 ounces.
Step 1c: Mix the water and PLENVU together with a spoon or put lid on mixing container securely and shake the water and PLENVU, until it is completely dissolved. This can take 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 2: Drink the entire contents of the mixing container over the next 30 minutes.
If you feel like you have severe stomach pain or discomfort you can stop taking PLENVU for a short time and then continue taking it or you can take smaller sips of PLENVU so that you space out your dose longer than 30 minutes. If you still have severe stomach pain, call your healthcare provider.
Step 3: Rinse the mixing container with water. Refill to fill line with clear liquids. This will be at least 16 ounces. Drink the entire contents of the mixing container over the next 30 minutes. For a list of clear liquids, see examples at the top of the Instructions for Use.
After taking PLENVU if you have any bloating or feeling like your stomach is upset, wait to take Dose 2 until your stomach feels better.
For Dose 2: Rinse the mixing container with water. Repeat Steps 1, 2 and 3 but this time for Dose 2 you will empty two dose pouches (Dose 2 Pouch A and Dose 2 Pouch B) into the mixing container at the same time. It is important that you drink additional clear liquids, but you must stop drinking all liquids 2 hours before your colonoscopy.
This Instructions for Use has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.