title: Sugar-free menthol candy drops improve the palatability and bowel cleansing effect of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colon preparations are generally poorly tolerated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the efficacy of sugar-free candy drops in improving palatability and tolerability of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG-E).
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ambulatory patients scheduled for elective colonoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Menthol candy drops. Patients were randomly assigned to split-dose, 4-L, PEG-E ± cough drops. Palatability was assessed on a linear scale of 1 to 5 (1 = disgusting; 5 = tasty). Quality of preparation, remaining unconsumed volume, and side effects were secondary outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Palatability and tolerability of PEG-E.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 99 patients were enrolled (50 control group, 49 candy drops-added group). The mean (± standard deviation) palatability score was significantly better in candy drop users versus controls (3.9 ± 0.7 vs 2.8 ± 1.2, respectively; P < .001) as were the preparations scored as excellent (63.3% vs 34% of controls; P = .004). Side effects were similar except for nausea (24.5% candy drops vs 44% controls; P = .04). The amount of unconsumed PEG-E was not different between candy drop and control groups (128 [± 361 mL] versus 69 [± 194 mL], respectively; P = .32) but was significantly lower in excellent grade preparations versus other grades (31 [± 103 mL] versus 162 [± 384 mL], respectively; P = .024). On multivariate logistic regression, an excellent preparation was associated with candy drops (odds ratio [OR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-7.8; P = .006) and smaller unconsumed volume of same-day PEG-E [OR 0.996, 95% CI, 0.992-1.000; P = .044).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single-center study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sugar-free menthol candy drops are a safe and effective addition to split-dose PEG-E, resulting in improved tolerability and patient compliance, which appears to translate into improved bowel cleansing. (
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01541683.).
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ala I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Sharara
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mustapha M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: El-Halabi
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Carla G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Abou Fadel
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Fayez S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Sarkis
mesh_terms: D002182:Candy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004573:Electrolytes; D008610:Menthol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: PEG; PEG-E; polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution; polyethylene glycol solution