Medication Changes Before Colonoscopy - Please Read Carefully
- STOP all GLP-1 Medications 8 days before the colonoscopy.
- Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Rybelus, Victoza, Zepbound, Byetta, Bydureon, Saxenda, or any other medication in this class.
- Diabetic Patients: call your prescribing doctor before stopping any other medications for diabetes.
- STOP anticoagulants only after receiving instruction from your prescribing doctor - call them at least 5 days before the colonoscopy. Hold it exactly for the time they specify - no longer and no shorter.
- Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Brilinta, Aggrenox, or other anticoagulants.
- STOP all iron, multivitamins, and fiber supplements (Metamucil, Fibercon, Citrucel) 7 days before the colonoscopy.
- Continue aspirin and any other blood pressure or heart medications.
5 Days Before The Colonoscopy
Go to the pharmacy and pick up your colonoscopy prep. No prescription needed - these are available over the counter:
- 8.3 oz bottle of Miralax (238 grams), Glycolax, or PEG 3350 (generic)
- 64 oz of Gatorade or other sports drink (NOT red, purple, or blue)
- 4 pills of Dulcolax 5 mg tablets (bisacodyl laxative tablets)
- 2 bottles of Magnesium Citrate
- 8 Simethicone gel caps 250 mg each
3 Days Before The Colonoscopy
- Stop eating nuts, seeds, popcorn, corn, beans, multigrain bread, tomatoes, salad, vegetables, granola, and raisins.
- Stop eating and drinking all dairy products.
The Day Before The Colonoscopy - Begin Clear Liquid Diet
Do not eat any solid food. Begin a clear liquid diet.
Examples of Clear Liquids:
- Clear chicken or beef broth (consommé)
- Gatorade - NO red, purple, or blue
- Popsicles - NO red, purple, or blue
- Soft Drinks - NO red, purple, or blue
- Coconut Water - NOT Coconut Milk
- Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, etc. - NO red, purple, or blue
- Apple juice or white grape juice only - NO other juices
- Jell-O - NO red, purple, or blue
- Hard Candy - NO red, orange, purple, blue
- Coffee and tea - NO cream or dairy products
The day before the colonoscopy instructions:
- Drink at least twelve, 8 oz glasses of water or clear liquids throughout the day.
- Mix your 8.3 oz bottle of Miralax with 64 ounces of either Gatorade (orange, green, or yellow - NO other color), Propel Water, Vitamin Water (Clear), Coconut Water, or Smart Water.
- Put in the refrigerator.
From 4 - 5 PM
- Take 4 of the 5 mg Dulcolax (bisacodyl) Laxatives with 8 ounces of water.
From 5 - 7 PM
- Take 4 Simethicone or Gas-X tablets (250 mg each).
- Start drinking the prep:
- Only drink half the prep solution (ie 32 oz).
- Drink an 8 oz glass of prep solution every 15 minutes.
- If you get nauseated, stop drinking for 30 minutes, and then resume.
- If you have no bowel movement within 2 hours of starting the prep.
- Drink the remaining 32 oz.
- Drink 8-ounces every 15 minutes until it is gone.
The Day Of The Colonoscopy - DO NOT EAT ANYTHING
6 Hours Before the Arrival of Your Procedure
- Take 4 Simethicone (Gas-X) tablets (250mg each).
- Drink the remaining 32 oz of the prep, 8 ozs every 15 minutes, until finished.
- If you already finished all of the prep earlier because it was not working, then drink one 10 oz. bottle of Magnesium Citrate over 5-15 minutes.
- IMPORTANT: Finish all of the prep at least 3 hours BEFORE your arrival time.
- You may take your usual medications (except those listed above) with a SIP of water.
- Diabetic Patients: do NOT take oral diabetes medications or injectable insulin on the day of your procedure unless your doctor instructs
4 Hours Before the Arrival of Your Procedure
- If your bowel movements are still brown, drink one 10 oz bottle of Magnesium Citrate.
- This must be finished at least 3 hours BEFORE your arrival at the center.
- NOTHING by mouth within 3 hours of arrival (including water).
How to Know if Your Bowel Prep is Working
Your bowel movements should transition to a clear, light-yellow liquid with very few particles - essentially looking like urine.
Reminders - Please Read Carefully
Eating & Drinking
- NO FOOD the day before your procedure
- NO FOOD after midnight the day of your procedure
- Clear liquids only as instructed above
- A few SIPS of water are allowed up to 3 hours before arrival
- NOTHING by mouth within 3 hours of arrival (including water)
Tobacco, Gum, Candy
- NO smokeless tobacco or dip after midnight
- NO chewing gum after midnight
- NO mints or candy after midnight
Medications
- Do NOT stop anticoagulants or heart medications without instruction from your prescribing doctor
- If instructed to hold an anticoagulant, follow the prescribing doctor's instructions exactly
- Holding an anticoagulant longer than instructed may result in cancellation
- You may take your morning medications (except those listed above) with a small sip of water
PROCEDURE CANCELLATION WARNINGS
- If you do not follow a clear liquid diet, your exam may be canceled
- If your colon is not clean, your exam may be canceled
- If you drink liquids within 3 hours of arrival, your exam will be delayed or canceled
- If you have had recent cardiac testing or are currently undergoing cardiac evaluation that was not discussed when booking, call our office - your procedure may need to be rescheduled