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Compare Golytely vs. Magnesium citrate

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

PEG 3350 with electrolytes (Golytely, Nulytely, and Moviprep) and magnesium citrate (Citroma) are both used to help with bowel movements, but they are different in several ways. PEG 3350 with electrolytes is a prescription-only osmotic laxative used mainly to clean out your colon before procedures like colonoscopies. It works by pulling water into your colon, causing watery diarrhea. You have to drink a large amount of liquid, and it can be time consuming. On the other hand, magnesium citrate is an over-the-counter saline laxative used for occasional constipation. It helps your intestines hold onto water to make bowel movements easier and works within 30 minutes to 6 hours. However, it’s not recommended for people with kidney problems or electrolyte imbalances. While PEG 3350 with electrolytes requires careful preparation and large volumes of liquid, magnesium citrate is simpler to use but should be avoided if you have certain health conditions.

  • Peg 3350/electrolytes bowel prep
    Magnesium citrate
  • Peg 3350/electrolytes bowel prep
    Magnesium citrate

  • Summary of Golytely vs. Magnesium citrate

    Summary for Osmotic laxative
    Prescription only

    PEG 3350/electrolytes bowel prep is mixed into a solution and taken by mouth to clean the bowels for procedures called colonoscopy and barium enema x-ray examination. This medication works well, but requires you to drink a lot of liquid. There are many brands of PEG 3350/electrolytes bowel preps and they can differ from one another in things such as the amount of solution you need to drink, the type of electrolytes or ingredients they contain, and when you need to start the bowel prep. Most bowel preps can only be used in adults, but some can be used in children as young as 6 months of age.

    Summary for Saline laxative

    Magnesium citrate is a oral laxative solution that can ease the occasional constipation. It's available over the counter (OTC) and can help produce a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours. Magnesium citrate might not be a safe option if you have kidney problems or electrolyte levels that are out of balance.

  • Indications of Golytely vs. Magnesium citrate

    Indications for
    •Cleansing the colon to prepare for colonoscopy
    •Cleansing the colon to prepare for barium enema x-ray examination (Golytely, Colyte, Gavilyte-C, and certain generic preps only)
    Indications for
    •Occasional constipation

  • Pros and Cons of Golytely vs. Magnesium citrate

    Pros and Const for Osmotic laxative
    Pros
    •Comes in many brands that differ in factors, such as how much solution you need to drink or the type of electrolytes in the solution, which gives you options to choose a bowel prep that fits your needs
    •Some bowel prep solutions have flavor packets to improve taste
    •Nulytely, Gavilyte N, and certain generics can be taken by children as young as 6 months old
    •Many of the bowel preps can also be taken through a nasogastric tube (NG tube) for people who can't swallow
    Cons
    •Requires you to drink a lot of liquid, so can be time-consuming
    •Can cause your electrolytes to be out of balance, which might raise your risk of side effects, such as kidney damage or seizures
    •Can cause nausea; some people have a hard time finishing
    •Can cause dehydration (loss of body fluids) if you don't drink enough liquids during the treatment
    Pros and Const for Saline laxative
    Pros
    •Works fast, produces a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 6 hours
    •Available OTC without a prescription
    •Comes in different flavors
    •Many generic products available
    Cons
    •Only for use with occasional constipation
    •Might not be a good option for people with kidney problems or those who need to limit magnesium or sodium intake
    •Can cause nausea and vomiting
    •Needs to be separated from other medications

  • Common Side Effects of Golytely vs. Magnesium citrate

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Feeling very full in your stomach
    •Bloating
    •Stomach cramps
    •Anal irritation
    •Shivering (Moviprep)
    •Trouble sleeping (Moviprep)
    •More hungry and thirsty (Moviprep)
    •Tiredness (Moviprep)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Stomach pain
    •Diarrhea

  • Warnings of Golytely vs. Magnesium citrate

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low body fluids and electrolyte problems
    •Heart beat problems
    •Seizures
    •Kidney damage
    •Damage to your colon
    •Choking or difficulty breathing
    •Use with caution in low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and phenylketonuria (PKU) - Moviprep and Plenvu only
    Common Side Effects for
    •Complete or partial blockage of intestines
    •Kidney and other health conditions

  • Prices with our coupons for Golytely vs. Magnesium citrate

    Learn more about Peg 3350/electrolytes bowel prep
    Learn more about Magnesium citrate

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