Does The Second Dose Of Clenpiq Work Faster?

Clenpiq is an oral solution used to cleanse the colon as a preparation for procedures like colonoscopies or surgeries. It contains sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid that work together to clear the bowels. As a prescription medication, it is important to take Clenpiq exactly as prescribed to ensure safe and effective bowel cleansing. This comprehensive guide will cover everything patients need to know about using Clenpiq, including its dosage, side effects, and how quickly it works.

Now, let’s investigate: “Does the second dose of Clenpiq work faster?”

Table of Contents

Do read the People Also Ask (FAQs) about this topic.

Key Takeaways

The second Clenpiq dose works faster, usually under an hour, because the colon is already stimulated, solid waste is cleared, patients only ingest liquids, and the dose is larger. In short, the second dose rapidly completes colon cleansing for colonoscopy.
Clenpiq is taken as a split-dose regimen, with the first smaller dose taken the evening before and the second larger dose taken the morning of the colonoscopy.
The first dose stimulates bowel movements and cleansing, while the second dose aims to complete the cleansing process.
Most patients find the second dose works more rapidly, typically inducing bowel movements within 1 hour compared to 1 to 6 hours for the first dose.
Reasons the second dose may work faster include: the colon is already activated from the first dose, less solid stool remains after the first dose, patients stick to clear liquids after dose 1, and the larger volume of dose 2.
Patient reviews indicate the second dose tends to work very quickly, often within 30 minutes to 1 hour to induce bowel movements.

What is Clenpiq?

Clenpiq is a prescription bowel cleansing solution made by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. It contains the following

Clenpiq comes as a premixed solution contained in two bottles – the first is a 5.4 oz bottle and the second is a 16 oz bottle. Patients must take both doses as directed to achieve complete bowel cleansing.

Clenpiq is a prescription bowel cleansing solution made by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. It contains the following active ingredients:

Sodium picosulfate – a stimulant laxative that increases activity in the bowels to promote bowel movements.
Magnesium oxide – an osmotic laxative (draws water into the colon) that softens and loosens the stool.
Anhydrous citric acid – helps promote bowel action by retaining the fluids in the gastrointestinal tract.

Together, these ingredients stimulate evacuation of the colon (complete emptying of the large intestine) to thoroughly cleanse the bowel prior to colonoscopy, surgery, or other procedures. Clenpiq was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for colon cleansing before colonoscopy in adults.

What is Clenpiq used for?

Clenpiq should only be used as directed by a healthcare provider. The usual dosage is as follows:

First dose: The smaller 5.4 oz bottle should be taken the evening before the colonoscopy, followed by at least five 8-ounce drinks of clear liquids.
Second dose: The larger 16 oz bottle should be taken the next morning, at least 2 hours before the colonoscopy along with at least three 8-ounce drinks of clear liquids.
Timing: There should be at least a 12-hour gap between starting the first and second doses. The second dose must be completed at least 2 hours before the scheduled colonoscopy procedure.

It is crucial to follow the dosage instructions properly and take Clenpiq at the prescribed times. This ensures the bowels are fully cleansed before the colonoscopy. Taking incomplete doses or taking Clenpiq too soon before the procedure reduces its effectiveness as a bowel prep (bowel preparation medication).

Patients should avoid all solid food from the time they start the first dose until after the colonoscopy. Follow only a clear liquid diet, including water, tea, coffee, strained fruit juices without pulp, fat-free broths, gelatin desserts, frozen popsicles, and sports drinks like Gatorade.

Side Effects of Clenpiq

The most common side effects of Clenpiq include:

Nausea – Feeling sick to your stomach, like you need to vomit.
Headache – Pain or discomfort in the head.
Stomach cramping or pain – A tight, squeezing sensation in the abdomen.
Bloating – A swollen, gassy feeling in the belly.
Vomiting – Throwing up the contents of the stomach.
Dehydration – Lack of fluids in the body from frequent bowel movements.
Dizziness – A spinning, unsteady feeling that can lead to fainting.
Sleep disturbances – Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Other potential side effects may include:

Rectal irritation, swelling, bleeding
Electrolyte imbalances
Kidney problems
Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Seizures (in patients with pre-existing sodium deficiencies)

Severe dehydration and alterations in blood salts can occur due to fluid shifts in the body and frequent watery bowel movements. It is essential to maintain adequate hydration when taking Clenpiq as prescribed.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience severe side effects like rapid heart rate, chest pain, fainting, bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or seizures after taking Clenpiq.

The First Dose vs. The Second Dose of Clenpiq

Clenpiq comes in a two-bottle pack to be taken as a split dose for thorough bowel cleansing.

The first 5.4 oz dose is taken in the evening before the scheduled colonoscopy. It begins softening the stool and inducing bowel movements to clear out solid waste from the colon. This initial dose starts the cleansing process.

The second 16 oz dose should be taken at least 2 hours before the colonoscopy the next morning. This is the larger volume dose designed to induce more bowel movements to expel residual liquid stool and faecal matter from the GI tract.

The second dose aims to finish the bowel cleansing after the initial evacuation from the first dose the previous night. It clears out any remaining stool or debris to provide a clean colon for the procedure.

How Fast Does Clenpiq Work?

Most patients will start having frequent, loose stool around 1-2 hours after taking the first dose of Clenpiq in the evening. It may take up to 6 hours to start having bowel movements after the initial dose.

The second dose given at least 12 hours later the next morning will typically cause bowel movements within 1 hour. Some individuals have reported stool frequency as quickly as 30 minutes after the second dose.

However, the exact time for Clenpiq to start working can vary based on:

Individual factors like gastrointestinal motility (the time it takes food to pass through the GI tract)
Diet and bowel habits
Concomitant medications that slow transit time
Level of bowel preparation from the first dose
The hydration status of the patient
Amount of solid food eaten before starting prep

Proper preparation like following dietary restrictions, hydration, and correct timing of the doses helps ensure Clenpiq works at the maximum intended speed for bowel cleansing.

Does The Second Dose of Clenpiq Work Faster?

Most patients do find that Clenpiq’s second dose works more rapidly to induce bowel evacuations compared to the first dose.

There are several reasons why the second dose may work faster:

The bowel-stimulating effects are already underway after the first dose making the colon more active and responsive.
Much of the solid faecal matter has already been cleared out after the first dose, leaving more liquid stool for the second dose to expel.
Sticking to clear liquids after the first dose leaves less solid residual debris or food matter to impact the second dose.
The larger 16 oz volume of the second dose contains more of the active laxative ingredients to induce bowel movements.
Patients feel more mentally prepared for the rapid results after already experiencing the first dose.

Factors like old age, constipation, diet, certain medications, and health conditions that slow GI motility may affect how quickly the second dose of Clenpiq works for some patients. Staying well-hydrated and limiting solid food can help increase its efficacy.

One important factor that can be caused by constipation is fever. You can read it out here – Can Constipation Cause Fever?

User Experiences with Clenpiq

Reviews of Clenpiq by colonoscopy patients are Clenpiq are mixed. Some users found it effective and easy to use, while others reported negative experiences such as severe side effects. Users have reported:

Positive Reviews

One user had their first colonoscopy and was terrified of the prep. However, they found the Clenpiq prep to be manageable and recommended it. They took the first dose in the evening and it started working 30 minutes later. They took the second dose early in the morning and were done within an hour.
Another user had a great experience with Clenpiq for their first colonoscopy. They found the taste slightly salty but manageable. They started having diarrhoea about 60 minutes after drinking it without any belly aches or nausea.

Negative Reviews

One user reported that they experienced severe nausea and headache with both doses of Clenpiq. They also mentioned that the taste is between sweet and salty.
Another user reported that they had a good experience for the most part, but found the cranberry flavour of Clenpiq not terrible except for a bit of an aftertaste. The prep kicked in within 20 minutes of drinking it, which they found surprising.

Please note that all these reviews have been sourced from Drugs.com. It’s important to remember that experiences can vary greatly from person to person. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical advice.

Conclusion

In summary, Clenpiq is an FDA-approved prescription solution that effectively empties and cleanses the colon when taken as directed in two split doses before a colonoscopy. It contains sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid to induce liquid bowel movements. The second dose is intended to work rapidly within an hour to complete the bowel cleansing process by expelling any remaining liquid stool or debris from the GI tract. While individual response times can vary, many patients agree the second dose provides faster relief, especially when following preparatory diet guidelines. Maintaining adequate hydration can help mitigate adverse effects. When taken properly, Clenpiq provides the complete colon cleansing necessary for GI procedures.