Colonoscopy
COLONoscopy Preparation Instructions
Please ensure that you have made arrangements to have someone else drive you home after this procedure as you will have sedation and will not be allowed to drive yourself home.
PURPOSE OF COLONOSCOPY
A colonoscope is a long flexible tube that is about the thickness of
a finger. It is inserted through the rectum into the large intestine (colon) and allows the doctor to carefully examine the lining of the colon. The causes of symptoms such as rectal bleeding or change in bowel habits may be found by colonoscopy. Through the colonoscope, the doctor can take a biopsy (a small piece of tissue) and remove polyps for examination in the laboratory.
MEDICATION INFORMATION
- Stop Coumadin (Warfarin) 3 days prior to the procedure.
- Stop Xarelto and similar anticoagulants for 48 hours (3
days). - Aspirin and Plavix should not be stopped unless directed by your physician.
- Discuss all other blood thinners with your doctor.
- Continue all other regular medications.
Special Note For Diabetics
For those on insulin, cut the dose in half in the evening before the procedure and hold the morning dose till after the procedure.
(BRING YOUR INSULIN WITH YOU)
For those on oral pills please discuss the medications with your doctor.
If taking GLP medications, please stop at least a week before.
Avoid eating any seeds and nuts in breads, fruits, tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, watermelon, popcorn 3 days prior to the procedure as they could plug the scope.
Do not drink or eat orange colored or red colored drinks. Please notify your physician before the procedure if you have any allergies to drugs.
PREPARTION
These instructions have been specifically tested, and have provided the best results for bowel prep. Please follow the instructions in this package ONLY. Failure to do so could result in an incomplete bowel prep and your procedure may need to be rebooked.
HOW TO PREPARE
Purchase 2 sachets PICO SALAX and 6 Tablets of DULCOLAX from any pharmacy
On the Day before your Procedure
Your last solid meal should be lunch (before 12:00 noon) and then you should remain on a clear fluid diet until your procedure is over. (Clear fluids include apple juice, white cranberry juice, tea without milk, clear soups and broths, beef or chicken cubes, Jell-O, Sprite, Ginger Ale or clear Gatorade. (avoid orange and red Jello and Gatorade).
At 2pm Take 2 Tablets of DULCOLAX
At 6pm Take 2 Tablets of DULCOLAX and one sachet of PICO SALAX. You can put this into a glass of cold water and drink it. Wait for half an hour and then drink at least 4-6 glasses of water over the next two to three hours. Cramps and diarrhea can be expected.
On the Day of your Procedure
Take 2 Tablets of DULCOLAX and one Sachet of PICO SALAX 6 hours before your procedure time (Example: If your procedure is booked for 8am your dose is taken at 2am), wait for half an hour and then drink at least 4-6 glasses of water over the next two to three hours. Then stop all fluids 2-3 hours before the procedure time.
Failure to follow these preparation instructions may result in the cancellation of your procedure.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- You will be given medication to relieve pain and relax the colon.
- The colonoscope will be inserted through the rectum into the large intestine to carefully examine the lining of the colon.
- The examination takes about 15 minutes but, in some cases, it can take up to 45 minutes.
- Following the procedure, you will be at recovery for approximately 1 hour.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
You may resume your usual diet and activity.
The result of your biopsies (if taken) will be available in approximately 14 days.