I had this Soda. Had to stop after first series. I started chilling, then shaking, and had dry heaves. Went to the bathroom because I was getting real sick. It felt like the top of my head was going to pop off. I have had surgery a couple of years back for acid reflux and can not vomit; so I just get the dry heaves. If I had continued with the next series of doses, I believe I would have ended up in the emergency room. I think it sent my blood pressure way up there; and since I have a normally low blood pressure, it really scared me. The doctor didn't call me back until after I was suppose to start the 2nd series, but I wasn't going through that again. I had to wait a week and I got the pills; which started doing the same thing, but not near as bad. The colonoscopy was nothing; the preparation is almost life-threatening.
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Actually, it's the PEG type of bowel prep solutions, like Golytely and Halflytely, currently considered to be the safest type of bowel prep for the widest spectrum of patients (because ingesting isotonic PEG usually does not cause changes in electrolytes or other blood chemistries), that most often elicits nausea, vomiting, and chills from many patients. This is due to the rapid ingestion of the large volumes of fluid required for an effective prep. And, PEG preps are not without their own potential concerns: there have been reports of rare adverse events associated with PEG preps, including pulmonary aspiration and Mallory-Weiss tear, both probably related to neasuea and severe vomiting sometimes caused by the prep.
The Visicol tablets probably made you feel the same way that the earlier Fleet's Phosphosoda did, because both preps are the saline lavage type. They incorporate laxatives containing magnesium or phosphate.
Studies have suggested that Fleet's Phosphosoda and Visicol tablets are just as effective, and better tolerated by most patients, when compared to PEG preps. "Better tolerated" means that most patients preferred using the oral sodium phosphate preps, compared to using the PEG preps. The overall safety of the oral sodium phosphate preps is the issue.
The use of sodium phosphate is associated with significant volume contraction and dehydration, and so, can result in electrolyte abnormalities in at-risk patients. Most healthy individuals, though, will tolerate these preps safely, without adverse side effects.
You may also be interested in my recent Shareposts,
FDA issues "stern" safety warnings on Salix brand Visicol and OsmoPrep bowel cleansers
http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/74855/52050/fda-warnings-cleansers
and
Now, Aren't WE Special...?
http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/74855/48998/aren-special
Hope