Colonoscopy Prep Instructions

Types of Colon Prep

 
Colonoscopy Prep Instructions Colonoscopy Prep Tips
 

There are several types of colon-cleansing regimens, and you can talk with your healthcare provider if you have a preference for a particular type of colon flush.

Bowel Preparation: Diet

On the day before your colonoscopy, you may have clear liquids such as broth, soft drinks, tea, coffee (with no milk or creamer), clear juices, Jell-O (any color except red, blue or purple), popsicles and Italian ice (any color except red, blue or purple).

It’s important to make certain that none of the liquids contain red, blue or purple dye or artificial coloring. If you are not sure whether something you plan to have is acceptable, call your provider.

Bowel Preparation: Polyethelene glycol (PEG)

Brand names: Golytely, Colyte, Nulytely, Trilyte, Halfytely

On the day before your colonoscopy, you may have clear liquids such as broth, soft drinks, tea, coffee (with no milk or creamer), clear juices, Jell-O (any color except red, blue or purple), popsicles and Italian ice (any color except red, blue or purple).

It’s important to make certain that none of the liquids contain red, blue or purple dye or artificial coloring. If you are not sure whether something you plan to have is acceptable, call your provider.

Bowel Preparation: Oral sodium phosphate (OSP) solution

Brand names: Fleet Phospho-soda, EZ-Prep, Fleet Accu-prep

Two small doses of OSP solution are diluted in 8 ounces of fluid and are taken 10 to 12 hours apart. Each dose must be followed by 16 ounces or more of liquid. You must get adequate liquids during the preparation and after the colonoscopy.

OSP brings water into the intestines to do the cleansing. It is effective and easy to tolerate, but it can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Bowel Preparation: Oral sodium phosphate tablets

Brand name: Visicol, OsmoPrep

Twenty tablets are taken the evening before the colonoscopy, 4 at a time with 8 ounces of clear liquid every 15 minutes. Anywhere from 12 to 20 more are taken a few hours before the procedure. Bisacodyl can be added.

OSP tablets work in the same way as liquid OSP or PEG. They can also cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Bowel Preparation: Oral sodium phosphate tablets

Either laxative can be used with 2 liters of PEG. Both laxatives can be used together with a restricted diet. Magnesium citrate can be used alone.

It’s important to note there are rare reports of ischemic colitis (loss of blood supply to the colon) with bisacodyl.