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Prep Instructions

Preparing for a Colonoscopy

Instructions To Follow

You’ll need to follow specific instructions to prepare for your colonoscopy exam. The reason is that in order for your doctor to be able to detect any issues during the colonoscopy, you first need to clean out your bowel. This includes adjusting your diet in the days leading up to the exam and taking the laxative preparation prescribed by your doctor at specific time intervals. Depending on the medication prescribed, you will need to follow slightly different steps.

Steps to Follow For Every Colonoscopy

7 Days Before

Most people will not need to do anything differently this far in advance of a colonoscopy. However, review you medications with your doctor and ask for specific instructions if you take blood-thinners (like Plavix or Pradaxa).

3 Days Before

Stop eating nuts, seeds, and popcorn.

2 Days Before

Drink 8 glasses of water during the day and stop eating after midnight.

The Day Before

  • Begin a clear liquid diet (described below), in addition to drinking 8 glasses of water during the day.
  • At 6pm, you will need to take the laxative preparation prescribed by your doctor according to the specific instructions.
  • Stay near the toilet after you begin taking the prep solution.

Day of Your Exam

While some of the colonoscopy prep solutions are only taken the previous day (this includes MiraLAX and SUPREP), others will need to be repeated the morning of your exam (this includes MoviPrep and CLENPIQ). The instructions for each solution are below.

  • Take any morning medications at least 3 hours before your exam with 4oz of water.
  • Stop drinking liquids 3 hours before your exam.
  • Bring a list of all your current prescription and over-the-counter medications
  • Arrange for a ride to and from the doctor

What is a Clear Liquid Diet?

A clear liquid diet means that you should not eat any solid foods, and should only consume liquids that are transparent. These liquids are allowed:

  • Gatorade, other sports drinks, or Pedialyte (any color except red or purple)
  • Clear broth (no vegetables or noodles in broth)
  • Coffee or tea (no milk or creamer)
  • Juice (no pulp, no red or purple juice)
  • Light-colored soda (like 7UP and ginger ale)
  • Kool-Aid (any color except red or purple)
  • Jell-O, popsicles, and hard candy (any color except red or purple)

Liquids that are NOT allowed are alcohol, red or purple drinks, and drinks that are not transparent.

How do I take my prep solution?

Each laxative preparation has different instructions. Watch our videos and follow this guide, based on the medication prescribed by your doctor.

MiraLAX

Link

Prep Video

Day Before

  • At 12pm, take 4 Ducolax tablets.
  • Mix 64 oz of clear liquid (like Gatorade) with 8.3oz of MiraLAX and refrigerate (do not add ice)
  • At 6pm, begin taking your prep solution. Drink an 8oz glass of the solution every 15 minutes until you finish it.

Day of the Exam

  • Follow the general instructions above.

Suprep

Link

Prep Video

Day Before

  • At 6pm, pour 1 6oz bottle of SUPREP into the mixing container provided. Add cool water to the 16oz line and mix.
  • Over the next hour, drink the whole solution plus at least two more 16oz glasses of water.

Day of the Exam

  • Follow the general instructions above

MoviPrep

Link

Prep Video

Day Before

  • At 6pm, mix 1 Pouch A and 1 Pouch B of MoviPrep into the container provided. Add luke-warm water to the top of the container and mix.
  • The container has 4 marks. Drink the solution to the next mark every 15 minutes until you finish it.
  • Drink an additional half liter of clear liquids (about 2 cups) during the evening.

Day of the Exam

  • 4-6 hours before the exam, prepare and drink the MoviPrep solution just like you did the day before.
  • Within the following 30 minutes, drink another half liter (about 2 cups) of water.
  • Then, follow the general instructions above.

Clenpiq

Link

Prep Video

Day Before

  • At 6pm, fill the dosing cup with cold water to the lower line. Pour in the contents of 1 CLENPIQ packet and keep stirring for 2-3 minutes. Drink the whole solution
  • Over the next five hours, drink 5 8oz glasses of clear liquid.

Day of the Exam

  • 4 hours before the exam, prepare and drink the CLENPIQ solution just like you did the day before.
  • Over the next hour, drink 3 8oz glasses of water.
  • Then, follow the general instructions above

How will I feel before the colonoscopy?

After you begin to drink the prep solution, it’s normal to have abdominal discomfort and need to use the restroom often. After some time, you won’t produce stool, but should see a clear or yellow liquid.

If you experience irritation or hemorrhoidal inflammation near the rectal opening, it’s fine to treat it with baby wipes, hydrocortisone cream, or your hemorrhoid prescription. Don’t use suppositories or products with alcohol.

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