PREPARATION FOR YOUR COLONOSCOPY
5 DAYS PRIOR to your procedure STOP TAKING blood thinners (Coumdain, Plavix, Ticlid, Agrylin). Be certain that you take all heart and high blood pressure medication (EXCEPT aspirin or thinners) the morning of the procedure with a sip of water. If you have a history of asthma or breathing problems, please use any inhalers as prescribed the morning of the procedure. TYLENOL is OK to take prior for pain or headache.
For DIABETIC PATIENTS please follow the diabetic instruction sheet.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE
1) CLEAR LIQUID DIET: It is essential that you drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. You should plan on drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water on the day before your procedure. Any liquids you can see through are acceptable (i.e., water, fruit juice without pulp, tea, clear broth/bouillon, ginger ales, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, Gatorade/sports drink, jell-o). You may not have any soft/solid food or any milk/dairy products. Do not drink any red or purple liquids. In addition, please do not take any fiber products (i.e. Citrucel, Benefiber or Metamucil).
2) MAGNESIUM CITRATE: You will need two (2) 10 oz bottles of magnesium citrate (lemon-lime NOT red). Drink the 1st bottle around 12pm (followed by two glasses of water) and the 2nd bottle around 4pm (followed by two glasses of water). If necessary, drinking it over ice and/or mixing it with water/juice may make it easier to drink. This laxative is required to properly clean out your colon in order to have a high quality and complete inspection along with safe removal of any polyps.
3) DULCOLAX TABLETS: Take 3 pills at 2p.m
4) You should expect to start having diarrhea within 2-4 hours after taking the prep. If not, contact the on-call physician to discuss other measures, such as taking additional laxatives. It is possible that your test may have to be rescheduled if you are unable to be properly cleaned.
5) DO NO EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT
THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE
Do not eat or drink anything on the morning of your test
Because you received sedation, you can not be discharged after the procedure unaccompanied, an adult companion must be present to bring you home.