Comprehensive medication guide to Suflave including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay for commercially insured patients; Tier 3–4 on most commercial plans. The Azurity savings card covers costs above the first $50 for eligible commercially insured patients. Not covered by the savings card under Medicare or Medicaid — check your Part D formulary.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$134–$170 retail for brand-name Suflave (no generic available); as low as ~$101 with the free MedFinder card. Savings vary by drug and pharmacy; it's a discount, not insurance; pharmacies may choose not to participate.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Suflave (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium sulfate, potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and sodium chloride for oral solution) is a prescription-only osmotic laxative approved by the FDA in June 2023. It is used exclusively to cleanse the colon before a colonoscopy in adults. The medication is manufactured by Azurity Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Braintree Laboratories.
Suflave comes as a powder that is mixed with water to produce a lemon-lime flavored solution — designed to taste like a sports drink. It is taken as a split-dose regimen: one dose the evening before the colonoscopy, and one dose the morning of the procedure. Each complete preparation kit contains two bottles and two flavor-enhancing packets.
In Phase 3 clinical trials, Suflave achieved a 93–94% colon cleansing success rate, equivalent to or better than the SUPREP comparator. It is available only as a brand-name product — no generic version currently exists.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
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Suflave works through osmosis. The polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) component is a large, non-absorbable polymer that remains in the gastrointestinal tract. It creates an osmotic gradient that draws water from body tissues into the colon, dramatically increasing bowel liquid volume and producing the watery diarrhea needed to flush the colon clean.
The sodium sulfate and magnesium sulfate components are poorly absorbed osmotic salts that enhance the laxative effect, allowing Suflave to work at a lower total volume (approximately 2 liters) compared to older PEG-only preparations that required 4 liters. The electrolytes (potassium chloride, sodium chloride) help maintain safe fluid and electrolyte balance during the prep.
The split-dose regimen (evening + morning doses) is clinically superior to single-dose preparation, as it produces a cleaner colon closer to procedure time and reduces the re-accumulation of debris that can occur when prep is completed more than 12 hours before the colonoscopy.
178.7 g PEG 3350 per bottle — Powder for oral solution (reconstituted with water)
Each bottle contains 178.7 g PEG 3350, 7.3 g sodium sulfate, 1.12 g potassium chloride, 0.9 g magnesium sulfate, and 0.5 g sodium chloride plus lemon-lime flavoring. Two bottles (doses) per complete kit.
Suflave is not listed on the FDA's official drug shortage database in 2026. However, it can be challenging to locate at some pharmacies because it is a brand-name-only drug without a generic equivalent, introduced to market in mid-2023. Many independent and smaller pharmacies stock it on an order-on-demand basis only, which can result in a 2–5 business day wait.
Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco) and hospital outpatient pharmacies are most likely to carry Suflave or be able to order it quickly. Patients should begin searching for Suflave at least 7–10 days before their colonoscopy procedure date to avoid last-minute scrambles.
Can't find Suflave at your local pharmacy? medfinder calls pharmacies in your area to check which ones have it in stock and can fill your prescription — results are texted to you.
Suflave is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber can write a prescription for it without special DEA authorization. In practice, it is most commonly prescribed by specialists involved in ordering or performing colonoscopy procedures.
Telehealth providers can also prescribe Suflave, as it is not a controlled substance. A telehealth consultation can result in an electronic prescription sent to the patient's local pharmacy. The colonoscopy procedure itself, however, must be performed in person by a trained endoscopist.
No. Suflave is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It has no abuse potential and is not subject to any controlled substance prescribing restrictions. Any licensed healthcare provider — including primary care physicians, internists, gastroenterologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can prescribe Suflave without a DEA registration number or special authorization.
Suflave prescriptions can also be called in or transmitted electronically via telehealth, as there are no controlled substance restrictions on its prescribing or transmission. Refills follow standard prescription rules and are not subject to the 30-day fill limits or monitoring programs associated with controlled substances.
The following side effects were reported in 2% or more of patients in clinical trials:
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SUPREP Bowel Prep Kit
Sulfate-based oral solution; similar osmotic mechanism to Suflave; widely available; generic versions ($30–$60) cost significantly less than Suflave.
SUTAB
The only FDA-approved tablet-based colonoscopy prep; 24 tablets in 2 doses; no liquid solution required; ideal for patients who cannot tolerate liquid preps.
Clenpiq
Sodium picosulfate/magnesium oxide/citric acid; smallest volume prep (5.4 oz per dose); cranberry flavor; avoid in patients with kidney disease or severe IBD.
GoLYTELY / NuLYTELY
Generic PEG-based large-volume prep (4 liters); very affordable ($10–$40); available at virtually every pharmacy; covered by Medicare and Medicaid; best option when cost or availability is the primary concern.
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Stimulant laxatives (bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate)
majorConcurrent use with Suflave increases the risk of ischemic colitis and mucosal ulceration. Avoid completely.
Tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics
moderateMagnesium in Suflave chelates these antibiotics, reducing absorption. Take 2 hours before and no less than 6 hours after each Suflave dose.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
moderateMagnesium chelation can reduce digoxin absorption. Time carefully: 2 hours before and 6 hours after each dose. Monitor for signs of under- or over-digitalization.
Iron supplements
moderateMagnesium chelation prevents iron absorption. Take 2 hours before and 6 hours after each Suflave dose.
Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs
moderateThese medications increase the risk of fluid and electrolyte disturbances when combined with Suflave. Monitor electrolytes in high-risk patients. Consider holding diuretics on prep day if clinically appropriate.
Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline)
moderateLower the seizure threshold; combined with electrolyte disturbances from Suflave, the risk of seizures is increased. Use with caution and monitor closely.
All oral medications (general)
minorRapid bowel transit during Suflave prep reduces absorption of all oral medications. Take all oral medications at least 1 hour before starting each dose of Suflave.
Suflave represents a meaningful improvement in colonoscopy preparation, combining high clinical efficacy (93–94% success rate) with a significantly better palatability profile than older preparations. Its lemon-lime sports-drink taste and lower volume make it easier for patients to complete — which is critically important for reducing prep-related colonoscopy cancellations and improving colorectal cancer detection outcomes.
The main challenges with Suflave are its brand-name-only status, higher retail price ($134–$170), and inconsistent pharmacy stocking in some areas. Patients should start searching for Suflave at least 7–10 days before their procedure, use available discount programs, and not hesitate to ask their doctor for an alternative prep if Suflave is unavailable in time.
If you're having trouble finding Suflave at pharmacies near you, medfinder can call local pharmacies on your behalf to find which ones have it in stock. Don't let a pharmacy search derail your colonoscopy — colorectal cancer screening saves lives.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Suflave. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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