Can't find Plenvu for your colonoscopy prep? Here are the best alternatives including Suprep, Sutab, Clenpiq, and GoLYTELY with costs and comparisons.
Your colonoscopy is scheduled, but your pharmacy can't get Plenvu in time. Don't reschedule your procedure — there are several effective alternatives that your doctor can prescribe instead. In this guide, we'll cover what Plenvu is, how it works, and the best alternative bowel preps available in 2026.
Plenvu is a prescription bowel cleansing preparation made by Salix Pharmaceuticals (Bausch Health). It contains polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride in an oral powder for reconstitution.
It was FDA-approved in 2018 as the first and only 1-liter PEG-based colonoscopy prep. Before Plenvu, most PEG preps required patients to drink 2 to 4 liters of solution. Plenvu's smaller volume — combined with mango and fruit punch flavoring — made it a popular choice for patients and doctors alike.
Plenvu is an osmotic laxative. The PEG 3350 and electrolyte components draw water into your colon through osmosis, creating a flushing effect that cleanses the bowel. The sodium sulfate and ascorbic acid/sodium ascorbate provide additional osmotic action.
You take Plenvu in two doses — Dose 1 the evening before your colonoscopy and Dose 2 early the next morning. Each dose is mixed with 16 ounces of water, followed by 16 ounces of clear liquids. For more details, read our guide on how Plenvu works.
Suprep is a sulfate-based osmotic bowel prep made by Braintree Laboratories. It contains sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate in a berry-flavored liquid solution.
Patients who want a low-volume, non-PEG option. Talk to your doctor if you have kidney problems, as the magnesium and sulfate content requires caution in patients with renal impairment.
Sutab is a tablet-based colonoscopy prep made by Sebela Pharmaceuticals. It contains sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride in tablet form.
Patients who hate the taste of liquid preps. Sutab is an excellent option for anyone who has had trouble completing a liquid-based prep in the past.
GoLYTELY is the original PEG-electrolyte bowel prep and has been used for decades. It contains polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes (sodium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride).
Patients who need an affordable, readily available option and don't mind the higher volume. It's also a good fallback when other preps are unavailable.
Clenpiq is an ultra-low-volume colonoscopy prep made by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. It contains sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid in a cranberry-flavored ready-to-drink solution.
Patients who want the absolute lowest volume of liquid to drink. Note that Clenpiq should not be used in patients with severe kidney problems due to its magnesium content.
Here's a summary to help you and your doctor decide:
If you can't find Plenvu, don't postpone your colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor about switching to one of these alternatives. Each has its own advantages, and your doctor can help you choose the best option based on your health history, preferences, and what's available at your pharmacy.
Want to try finding Plenvu first? Use Medfinder to check real-time availability at pharmacies near you. And for help with costs, check out our guide on saving money on Plenvu.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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