Colyte with Flavor Packs

Colyte with Flavor Packs is a laxative solution that helps to encourage bowel movements. This medication includes minerals to replace electrolytes that are lost in the stool.

Colyte with Flavor Packs is used to prepare the bowel before a colonoscopy, a barium x-ray, or other intestinal procedures.

Colyte with Flavor Packs may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder must be mixed with water to make a solution before using it. Do not add any flavorings like sugar, honey, artificial sweetener, fruit juices, or other drinks.

Shake the mixture well just before you measure a dose. Drink Colyte with Flavor Packs in the exact amounts at the exact time intervals prescribed by your doctor.

This medicine comes with instructions about when and what to eat or drink on your first day of treatment. Each brand may have different instructions.

Do not drink Colyte with Flavor Packs if it has been less than 1 hour since you last ate solid food. For best results, take the medicine 2 to 4 hours after you last ate.

The first watery stool should appear within 1 hour after you start drinking Colyte with Flavor Packs. Keep taking the medicine until you have completed all doses prescribed by your doctor.

Drink plenty of clear liquids (water, broth, black coffee, tea, clear soda) before, during, and after you take this medicine. Avoid foods and drinks that contain pulp or are red or purple in color. You may also eat popsicles (not fruit bars or fudge bars) or gelatin without fruit pieces or toppings.

Do not eat or drink anything within 2 hours before your colonoscopy or other medical test.

Store the unmixed powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the mixed solution in a refrigerator in an upright position.

Throw away any Colyte with Flavor Packs you have not used within 24 to 48 hours after it was mixed (follow directions for your specific brand of this medicine).

Do not use Colyte with Flavor Packs if you have a perforated bowel, a bowel obstruction or severe constipation, or colitis or toxic megacolon. Colyte with Flavor Packs can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects in people with these conditions.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol or any other electrolyte solutions (like Pedialyte or Gatorade), or if you have:

• a perforated bowel;
• a bowel obstruction or severe constipation; or
• colitis or toxic megacolon.

Colyte with Flavor Packs can cause serious or life-threatening side effects in people with these conditions.

People with eating disorders (like anorexia or bulimia) should not use this medicine without a doctor's advice.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems, or a heart attack;
• an electrolyte imbalance (like low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood);
• kidney disease;
• a seizure;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcerative colitis, or other stomach or bowel issues;
• trouble swallowing, aspiration (accidentally inhaling food or drink);
• a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or
• a drug or alcohol addiction.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medicine may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Colyte with Flavor Packs may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• no bowel movement within 2 hours after use;
• vomiting;
• dizziness, feeling faint;
• little or no urination;
• a seizure; or
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, dry mouth, confusion, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, irregular heartbeats, tingling.

You may need to drink the liquid more slowly, or stop using it for a short time if you have certain side effects. Call your doctor for instructions if you have:

• gagging, choking, severe stomach pain or bloating;
• nausea, vomiting, headache, trouble drinking liquids, little or no urination; or
• fever, sudden or severe stomach pain, severe diarrhea, rectal bleeding or bright red bowel movements.

Common side effects of Colyte with Flavor Packs may include:

• vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, bloating;
• rectal pain or irritation;
• hunger, thirst, mild nausea;
• trouble sleeping; or
• dizziness, chills.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Talk to your doctor if you cannot drink all of the solution your doctor prescribed. Your test or procedure may need to be rescheduled if your bowel is not completely cleaned out.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not take other medications, vitamins, or mineral supplements within 1 hour before drinking Colyte with Flavor Packs. A bowel cleansing can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth.

Do not use other laxatives while using Colyte with Flavor Packs unless your doctor has told you to.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• heart or blood pressure medication;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• medicine for anxiety, depression, or mental illness;
• medications for kidney problems or low sodium levels (hyponatremia);
• seizure medication; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Colyte with Flavor Packs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.