Colonoscopy Prep

The day before your procedure:

Drink only clear liquids throughout the day before your procedure. Do not eat food of any kind.

Do not drink any red or purple liquids. Do NOT drink any alcoholic beverages.

Clear liquids are those that you can “see through,” including water, apple juice, white grape juice, clear broth, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, Gatorade, Kool-aid, popsicles, plain Jell-O without added fruits or toppings.

You may drink coffee and tea as long as they are black (no milk or non-dairy creamer allowed.)

It is important to try to drink at least 8 oz. of clear liquid per hour to prevent dehydration.

YOU HAVE THREE OPTIONS for how to prepare for your colonoscopy. Please follow the directions for one of the following, depending on your physician’s orders:

• MIRALAX/GATORADE PREP: All ingredients can be purchased over the counter at any drugstore.  No prescription required. Start at about 3 p.m. on the day before your procedure. Take two (2) Dulcolax stool softener tablets with one cup (8oz) of water. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Then, at about 8 p.m., mix one small bottle of Miralax (238 grams) in a 64 oz. bottle of Gatorade (or other clear liquid). Shake the solution until the Miralax is dissolved. Drink 8 oz. of the solution every 15-20 minutes until the whole half–gallon (2 liters) is finished.
  

• SUPREP BOWEL PREP: Take the first dose at 9 a.m. on the morning before your procedure. Begin the dose by pouring the Suprep liquid into mixing container. Add drinking water to fill line and mix. Drink ALL liquid in container. YOU MUST DRINK TWO (2) ADDITIONAL 16 OZ. CONTAINERS OF WATER OVER THE NEXT HOUR. Repeat second dose at 9 p.m. the evening before procedure. YOU MUST DRINK TWO (2) ADDITIONAL 16 OZ. CONTAINERS OF WATER OVER THE NEXT HOUR.


• GOLYTELY PREP: Instructions for mixing Golytely solution are provided on the bottle. Prepare the solution no more than 24 hours in advance and keep mixed solution refrigerated. In the afternoon before your procedure, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., start drinking the Golytely solution. Drink a full 8 oz. glass every 10-15 minutes until solution is completely finished.

What to expect from your colonoscopy preparation:

Individual responses to bowel preparations vary.  It should cause multiple bowel movements. It may work immediately or it may make 1-4 hours to work.

When taking a bowel prep, you may experience bloating, nausea, and occasional vomiting. Do not be alarmed. If you feel nauseated or vomit when taking the bowel prep, wait 30 minutes before drinking more fluids. Some activity, such as walking around your home, may help decrease your nausea. If nausea persists, please contact our office at 304-598-2700.