GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs

GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs is a laxative solution that helps stimulate bowel movements. This medication includes minerals to replace electrolytes that are lost in the stool.

GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs is used to prepare the bowel for a colonoscopy, a barium x-ray, or other intestinal procedures.

GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions 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 sweeteners, fruit juices, or other drinks.

Shake the mixture well just before measuring a dose. Drink GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs in the exact amounts and at the exact times your doctor prescribed.

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 GaviLyte-N 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 your last meal.

The first watery stool should appear within 1 hour after you start drinking GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs. Continue taking the medicine until you have finished all doses your doctor prescribed.

Drink plenty of clear liquids (water, broth, black coffee, tea, clear soda) before, during, and after taking this medicine. Avoid foods and drinks that contain pulp or are red or purple in color. You may also have 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, standing upright.

Throw away any GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs you have not used within 24 to 48 hours after mixing (follow instructions for your specific brand of this medicine).

Do not use GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs if you have a perforated bowel, a bowel obstruction, severe constipation, colitis, or toxic megacolon. GaviLyte-N 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.

GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs can cause dangerous 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 disorder;
• trouble swallowing or 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 breast-feeding.

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.

GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

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

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 advice if you have:

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

Common side effects of GaviLyte-N 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 are unable to drink all of the solution that has been prescribed for you. Your test or procedure may need to be rescheduled if your bowel is not fully cleansed.

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

Avoid taking any other medications, vitamins, or mineral supplements within 1 hour before drinking GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs. A bowel cleansing can make it more difficult for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth.

Do not use other laxatives while using GaviLyte-N With Flavor Packs unless your doctor has instructed you to.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

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

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