A bowel prep is done to clear the bowel of all solid matter. Its purpose is to prepare the bowel for surgery or a procedure. Please follow these instructions. Begin the bowel prep one day before your scheduled procedure.
To Prepare:
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes or take blood thinners. You may need to stop some of your medicine a few days before your test.
Ask your doctor if you should take any of your medicines the morning of your test. If so, take with sips of water only.
One Week before your test
Do not take aspirin products or iron tablets.Do not take fiber supplements like Metamucil, Citrucel or Fiberall. Do not eat popcorn or any corn.
You will need these items from a Pharmacy
Miralax in a large bottle (8.3 ounces or 238 grams) and 4 Dulcolax or Bisacodyl tablets (5 milligram tablets) There may be store brands of these products that cost less. Ask the pharmacist to help you find what you need.
Buy a large 64 ounce bottle of sports drink such as Gatorade. If you have diabetes, buy a NO or LOW calorie drink such as Crystal Light instead. This will be used to mix your Miralax the day before your test. DO NOT use carbonated beverages.
Arrange to have an adults bring you to your appointment and take you home after the test.
The Day before your test:
Drink only CLEAR liquids. Avoid all RED or PURPLE colored liquids. Do not eat any solid food or milk products until your test is done.
Follow the schedule below for your bowel prep. You may need to get to the toilet right away. You will have many bowel movements through the day. They will become very watery. The bowels are clean when there is only pale yellow fluid without flecks of stool.
Your Schedule for the Day Before your test:
1:00 PM: Take 4 Dulcolax tablets with a drink of clear liquid.
2:00 PM: Mix the Miralax in a 64 ounce bottle of Gatorade or other clear liquid of choice. Cap the bottle and shake the bottle to dissolve the powder. Most people prefer to drink the liquid chilled so you may want to place it in the refrigerator.
4:00 PM: Start to drink the Miralax. Drink one glass every 10-15 minutes. Drink it quickly rather than sipping small amounts, because it does not taste well. Finish drinking the liquid in 2 hours. Be sure to drink all of the liquid.
12:00 AM: Stop drinking 2 hours before you go for your procedure. You may gargle but do not swallow any liquid. If you smoke, DO NOT smoke after 12:00 Midnight.
The Morning of the Colonoscopy
Do not eat or drink until your test is done. If you are to take your morning medicines, do so before the 2 HOUR window (before your test) and take with small sips of water only.
Bring all medicines (in the original containers) you usually take to the hospital with you. You will need an adult to take you home after your test. You will NOT be able to leave by yourself and it will not be safe for you to drive, due to the medications you are given at the time of your test.
You may be told to arrive ONE hour before your test is scheduled so that staff can get you ready. Expect to be there for 2-4 hours, this time includes your test and recovery time.
Talk to your Doctor or Nurse if you have any questons or concerns.
Clear Liquids allowed the Day Before the test
Water, Ice, Coffee or Tea (No Creamer or Milk), Soft drinks (Orange, Ginger ale, Coke, Sprite, 7up). Sports drinks (Orange or Lemonade, nothing RED or PURPLE . Strained Fruit Juice, Pulp Free (apple juice, white grape, white cranberry, lemonade). Chicken or Beef broth (low salt). Clear broth or bouillon. Hard candies (NO RED or PURPLE). Jello ( lemon, lime, orange). Pop sickles and Italian ice. NO Ice Cream, NO Sherbet, or Fruit bars.
Items NOT allowed the Day Before
Alcoholic Beverages, Nothing Red or Purple, No Solid foods.
Medication Review
Stop all Aspirin products 1 Week before test. Diabetic Medications- Day of prep take all medications as normal. Day of test- If you are on insulin take 1/2 (half) of normal AM dose. For ORAL diabetic medications do not take any on THE DAY OF your test. Oral medications such as Glucophage, Metformin, Januvia and Actos on the DAY OF PREP take as normal.
If you are on blood thinners such as Coumadin, Warfarin, or Plavix please NOTIFY US, as we may need to bridge you with another medication before the procedure is performed. Please do NOT stop our blood pressure medications on test day.
If you normally take your medications in the morning, take them before the two hour window prior to your test. If you normally take them at night, do so the night before and the evening of your test.
