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Colonoscopy - How To Prepare
About this test
- Test Overview
-
Health Tools
- Why It Is Done
- How To Prepare
- How It Is Done
- How It Feels
- Risks
- Results
- What Affects the Test
- What To Think About
- References
- Credits
Before you have a colonoscopy, tell your doctor if you:
- Are taking any medicines, such as insulin or medicines for arthritis. Check with your doctor about which medicines you need to take on the day of your test.
- Are allergic to any medicines, including anesthetics.
- Have bleeding problems or take aspirin or other blood thinners.
- Had an X-ray test using barium, such as a barium enema, in the last 4 days.
- Are or might be pregnant.
You may be asked to stop taking aspirin products or iron supplements 7 to 14 days before the test. If you take blood-thinning medicines regularly, discuss with your doctor how to manage your medicine.
You will be asked to sign a consent form that says you understand the
risks of colonoscopy and agree to have the test done. Talk to your doctor about
any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will
be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance
of this test, fill out the
medical test information form 
(What is a PDF document?).
Before this test, you will need to clean out your colon. The following information gives you a general idea of the preparation for a colonoscopy. Your doctor will give you specific instructions before your test.
- One to two days before a colonoscopy, you will stop eating solid
foods and drink only clear fluids, such as water, tea, coffee, clear juices,
clear broths, Popsicles, and gelatin (such as Jell-O). Do not drink anything
red or purple, such as grape juice or fruit punch. And do not eat red or purple
foods, such as grape Popsicles or cherry Jell-O. Your doctor will recommend a medicine for you to use to prepare for your colonoscopy. Some new products, such as the
Nutraprep meal kit or sodium phosphate tablets (for example, Visicol), are other methods
of preparing for a colonoscopy. Ask your doctor whether another method will
work for you.
- Oral sodium phosphate (either tablets or liquid) can cause kidney problems. Make sure you check with your doctor before using a nonprescription sodium phosphate product.
- Your doctor may have you take a prescription
laxative tablet or drink a laxative solution (such as Nulytely or Golytely) the
evening before your colonoscopy. This solution will be given to you as a powder
that you will mix with
1 gal (3.8 L) of water. You are
often asked to drink this laxative solution over 1 to 2 hours. This solution
may taste very salty and may make you feel sick to your stomach. To make your
colon prep easier, you may want to try some of the following tips:
- Each time you drink some of the solution, you may also drink some water or clear fluids (like apple juice) to help get rid of the salty taste in your mouth.
- You may find it easier to drink the solution if you chill it in the refrigerator first.
- Ask your doctor if it is okay for you to add flavored drink crystals (such as Crystal Light) to the solution.
- Add lemon juice to the solution or suck on sliced lemon wedges after you take a drink.
- You will want to stay home the evening before the test because the colon prep will make you use the bathroom often.
- Drink plenty of clear fluids during the prep so you will not get dehydrated. This will also help clean out your colon completely after you finish the colon prep.
- Do not eat any solid foods after drinking the laxative solution.
- Stop drinking clear liquids 6 to 8 hours before the colonoscopy.
- Your doctor may have you use an enema 30 to 60 minutes before the test to completely clean out your colon.
Arrange to have someone take you home after the test because you may be given a medicine (sedative) to help you relax before the test.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 29, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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