To question the use of un-refrigerated four day old mixed colonoscopy laxative

[Yoloyohol]

Basically it's a chemical preparation of two sachets of chemical powder that was mixed together to activate with a litre of water.
The colonoscopy was cancelled and the preparation sealed in a bottle, but not stored in a fridge.
Colonoscopy then rescheduled four days later and the contents of the bottle given to the person.
When I think about it, it's probably all artificial chemicals anyway and it's intended to cause diarrhea in order to clear the bowels, so maybe it's perfectly reasonable, and it's just an instinct that it's 'old' so not a good idea?

Was any advice sought from a pharmacist, any instructions on storage on the bottle?

The bottle was just a random plain bottle nothing to to with the product, which is two sachets of powder.

Nothing about storage on the sachets, the instructions make an assumption they will be mixed with water just before use.

When the procedure got cancelled an HCP poured the contents of the jug into the bottle and put it down on the windowsill.
Four days later picked it u and poured it into a jug again.
It's actually in a hospital, so maybe it's a thing, but it's quite hard to challenge or ask are you sure that's ok?

It depends what medication it was, some say to use with 24 hours of preparation, but I doubt they’d do you any harm. But if you’re concerned you should raise it.

It's water with chemical stuff. It was probably Moviprep which contains

"Macrogol, polyethylene glycol, Sodium sulphate anhydrous, Sodium chloride, Potassium chloride, Ascorbic acid, Sodium ascorbate, Sodium, Chloride, Sulphate, Potassium, Ascorbate, Lemon flavouring (containing maltodextrin, citral, lemon oil, lime oil, xanthan gum, vitamin E), aspartame (E951) and acesulfame potassium (E950) as sweeteners"

There's nothing in there which will go off.

There's no reason to keep a bottle of water, even an opened bottle, in the fridge so no reason to keep this in a fridge.

I would certainly have asked a polite question about its suitability for use after that time.

I genuinely don’t know the right answer, but having been through the prep process before, I wouldn’t want to risk making it worse! Is that even possible? shudders

Although the site I found the ingredients on also says

If preferred, mix solution ahead of time and refrigerate prior to drinking.The reconstituted solution should be used within 24 hours

@Starksforthewin

I would certainly have asked a polite question about its suitability for use after that time.

I genuinely don’t know the right answer, but having been through the prep process before, I wouldn’t want to risk making it worse! Is that even possible? shudders

The prep is far worse than the colostomy which was oddly fascinating to watch.

Moviprep is beyond disgusting.

I found the solution very hard to take as I think do most people. Having it cold would make it more palatable as we well as adding some cordial which I found. Taking a 4 day old mixture probably a bit warm if it has been sunny would have me gagging without a doubt. Also the thought of having to do that while on a hospital ward that is in public just does not bear thinking about unless they are in a private room. I would mention it to the sister on the ward. If it isn't as effective then the procedure might have to be repeated if the bowel preparation is not good enough. The surgeon will not be happy.

Thank you all so much! It was indeed Movieprep.

Thank you for the ingredient list and digging, DidoLamenting that's really helpful as I have limited data and signal.

Starksforthewin
I would certainly have asked a polite question about its suitability for use after that time.

I genuinely don’t know the right answer, but having been through the prep process before, I wouldn’t want to risk making it worse! Is that even possible? shudders

I have a fair amount of them usually in combination with the one down the throat each time, and if I'm an inpatient will be suffering explosive diarrhea already at the time I'm having to take Movieprep, you've hit the nail on the head with your comment! Is it possible there is a fresh level of hell with it?
Add to that being bed bound with no toilet access, using bedpans and the situation swiftly deteriorates into a swamp hell and forced to marinate in it all, very easily. You can see why I was uneasy.

It's not always possible for me to question staff actions no matter how politely, without repercussions... I'm disabled, resource heavy, and a big extra burden on already overstretched overworked staff when in hospital, hence checking if AIBU.

(PS, I'm actually Yoloyohol, and have accidentally capitalized myself so will be changing back)

The prep is far worse than the colostomy which was oddly fascinating to watch.

I think this was meant to say "colonoscopy".... Colostomy is something else!

I suspect Dido got wrongly autocorrected.

It's not always possible for me to question staff actions no matter how politely, without repercussions... I'm disabled, resource heavy, and a big extra burden on already overstretched overworked staff when in hospital, hence checking if AIBU.

Please don't refer to yourself as a burden you're their patient and as deserving of care as anyone else, as I'm sure they'd agree.

I’m an ex nurse and I wouldn’t have given the old prep to anyone, I would have prepared fresh prep.

@Yoholyolo

I suspect Dido got wrongly autocorrected.

I did !

The colonoscopy was fascinating. I didn't have any sedation but had the occasional gulp of gas and air. It wasn't any more painful than mild period cramps.

OP your situation sounds awful. I was in hospital earlier this year as my Crohn's medicine wasn't working at all (which I had been telling them for months) Initially I was on a small shared ward until someone twigged that a patient with severe diarrhea using the shared toilet on the ward was a health risk to the other patients. They moved me to a single room with its own bathroom.

Oh and of course you are not a burden.

Hi OP, can’t for the life of me type your user name, so can I call you YoHo? 😂

PLEASE don’t think of yourself as a burden. I know where you are coming from and sometimes a proper level of gratitude can tip over into feeling you are not worthy of the support. You absolutely are.
The NHS exists for everyone who needs it. That need gets clinically defined, objectively, and you wouldn’t be in hospital if someone medically qualified hadn’t decided it.

I’ve had a couple of colonoscopies and gastroscopies. Moviprep is the fricking devil. The thought of having to go through that process in a non private setting makes me feel sick, Dido you are a bloody rock star as well.

Good to hear from the nurses on here saying you should have had a fresh batch. The only way I could physically swallow the full litre was to take mouthfuls of very diluted elderflower cordial as well.

I don’t underestimate how hard it is to advocate for yourself in a health setting, OP. Take care of yourself.