Colonoscopy Instruction Sheet - Alabama

Welcome to our practice! We are delighted to have you here. To ensure that your upcoming procedure goes as smoothly as possible, please take a moment to carefully review the following information.

Procedures are are not performed at our offices. If you need assistance confirming the specific facility where your procedure is scheduled, please reach out to our team.

Procedure Checklist:

• Arrange for a driver to stay the duration of your procedure (approximately 2-4 hours).
• Bring your driver’s license and insurance card.
• Bring a current list of your medications.
• Do not bring valuables and please remove all jewelry before arriving at the procedure center.
• Please do not wear lotion or perfume.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your procedure.

Important Information:

Please contact our office if you take a blood thinner and have not been instructed when to hold this medication.

On the morning of your procedure, you may take your heart, seizure, blood pressure, and reflux medications with a sip of water.

Do not use any of the following products 6 hours prior to your arrival: cigarette, dip, or vape.

If you currently take or start taking any GLP-1 medications, orally or by injection, for weight loss or diabetes and have not been instructed when to stop taking them, please contact our office.

If you have diabetes: Check with your physician regarding your dose of insulin and other diabetic medications needed the day before and the day of your procedure. Typically, we recommend that you do not take your oral hypoglycemic or insulin the morning of your procedure. Check your blood sugar frequently while taking the prep solution and the morning of your procedure.

If you have any questions, please call your provider's office.

Shopping List: 

• Please purchase your prep or have your prep prescription filled.
• Even if this appointment is several months ahead.
• Plan a trip to the grocery store to stock up on the low-fiber, low-residue foods listed in this packet as well as the ALLOWED clear liquids (see below).
• Due to frequent trips to the bathroom, moist toilet paper wipes and Vaseline, Desitin or Calmoseptine may help soothe a sore bottom.
• Drinking straws may help with the prep intake (they help bypass the taste buds on the front of the tongue).
• Anti-gas tablets (Gas-X, etc.) may help with the bloating.

Clear Liquids Allowed:

• Gatorade or PowerAde (no red or purple)
• Clear fruit juices (white grape juice or apple juice)
• Water
• Kool-Aid (no red or purple)
• Clear soup (broth or bouillon)
• Popsicles (no red or purple)
• Tea or coffee (no cream or milk)
• Jello-O (no red or purple)
• 7-Up, Sprite, Pepsi/Coke-Diet or Regular, Ginger Ale
• Boose Breeze or Ensure Clear (dairy-free)

5 Days Prior To Your Procedure:

• Stop taking any iron, fiber, herbal supplements, or multivitamins.
• Stop taking aspirin that is not prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical reason.