Prepopik

What is Prepopik used for?

Prepopik is a prescription medicine that is used to clean out the GI (gastrointestinal) tract.

Description

Prepopik (sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide and anhydrous citric acid) for oral solution is available in 2 flavors, orange and cranberry flavor, and is provided in two packets. The contents of each is to be dissolved in 5 ounces of cold water and consumed.

Each packet for both flavors contains 10 mg sodium picosulfate, 3.5 g magnesium oxide and 12 g anhydrous citric acid. The product also contains the following inactive ingredients: potassium hydrogen carbonate, saccharine sodium and orange or cranberry flavors. The orange flavor contains acacia gum, lactose, ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxyanisole, and the cranberry flavor contains maltodextrin, glyceryl triacetate (triacetin) and sodium octenyl succinated starch. The following is a description of the three active ingredients:

Sodium picosulfate is a stimulant laxative.

Sodium Picosulfate

• Chemical name: 4,4´-(2-pyridylmethylene) diphenyl bis(hydrogen sulfate) disodium salt, monohydrate
• Chemical formula: C₁₈H₁₃NNa₂O₈S₂.H₂O
• Molecular weight: 499.4
• Structural formula:

• Sodium picosulfate

Magnesium citrate, which is formed in solution by the combination of magnesium oxide and anhydrous citric acid, is an osmotic laxative.

Magnesium Oxide

• Chemical name: Magnesium oxide
• Chemical formula: Mg O
• Molecular weight: 40.3
• Structural formula: Mg O

Anhydrous Citric Acid

• Chemical name: 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid
• Chemical formula: C₆H₈O₇
• Molecular weight: 192.1
• Structural formula:

• Anhydrous citric acid

Before taking Prepopik, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Prepopik; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Bowel block, enlarged colon, hole in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, or slow-moving GI (gastrointestinal) tract.
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you are dehydrated or have electrolyte problems.
• If you are taking other laxatives.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Prepopik with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Prepopik?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Prepopik. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Do not use other laxatives or stool softeners unless told to do so by the doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Prepopik.
• If you are 65 or older, use Prepopik with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is Prepopik best taken?

Use Prepopik as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take Prepopik as your doctor has told you. Follow all instructions you have been given closely. This includes when to take Prepopik, foods and drinks to avoid before the exam, and when to stop eating and drinking before the exam. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions.
• Do not eat solid food or drink milk while taking Prepopik.
• Mix with water as told before you take Prepopik. Do not swallow the dry powder.
• After mixing, take your dose right away. Do not store for future use.
• Do not add ice to the mixed solution.
• Drink extra liquids after each dose of Prepopik unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
• Drink clear liquids before, during, and after taking Prepopik. Do not drink any liquids that are purple or red.
• Stop drinking liquids at least 2 hours before your exam unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• If you have very bad belly pain, swelling, or bloating after the first dose, do not take the second dose until they go away. Talk with your doctor.
• Do not take other drugs within 1 hour before or after starting Prepopik. Some drugs may need to be separated from Prepopik by a longer time. Talk with your doctor about how to take your other drugs with Prepopik.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.
• Call your doctor if you are not able to finish Prepopik before your exam.

What are the side effects of Prepopik that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stomach pain.
• Bloating.
• Swelling of belly.
• Stomach cramps.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Bleeding from rectum or rectal pain.
• Trouble swallowing.
• This medicine may cause you to be dehydrated or have electrolyte problems. Rarely, this may be severe or deadly. Tell your doctor right away if you get dizzy, pass out, feel tired or weak, or are unable to pass urine. Tell your doctor right away if you have a fast or abnormal heartbeat, seizures, headache, mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, more thirst, not hungry, dry mouth or eyes, severe upset stomach or throwing up, or a change in the amount of urine produced.

What are some other side effects of Prepopik?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Headache.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Prepopik?

• Store at room temperature.
• After mixing, do not refrigerate.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

SRC: NLM .