How to Prepare for your Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a potentially lifesaving procedure, but it requires an effective preparation to thoroughly cleanse your colon and rectum.

On the day before your procedure:

• You may have a light breakfast or clear liquids ONLY; please have nothing for dinner. No solid food should be consumed during the 3 to 4 hours before drinking the solution, but in no case should solid foods be eaten within two hours of taking Preparation medication/s.
• DO NOT eat or drink anything colored red or purple

Any of the following liquids are OK to drink

• Water
• Strained fruit juices (without pulp) including apple, orange, white grape, or white cranberry
• Limeade or lemonade
• Coffee or tea (with no milk or cremer)
• Clear broth or bouillon
• No dairy products

Medications

• Take your usual prescription medications.
• One week before procedure, stop taking iron, aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve, Vitamin E or herbal / iron supplements.
• You may take TYLENOL (acetaminophen) & other non-narcotic pain relievers prescribed by your physician.
• If you use other prescription pain relievers, ask the doctor or nurse when the last dose can be taken prior to procedure.
• If you take Coumadin or blood thinners, please contact your primary doctor for specific instructions on usage before, during, and after procedure.
• If you take insulin/s or other diabetic medications, please contact your primary doctor for specific instructions on usage before, during, and after procedure.

Preparation medication/s

• You will need to purchase the preparation medication/s from the pharmacy of your choice.Your prescription should be ready 2-3 days prior to procedure. The link to instruction and information for each medication is listed at the right column of this page. Please follow the link.

NO Food, Drink, Gum, or Medications after midnight, the night prior to procedure date.

    (NPO after midnight)

You may ask any questions for the procedure and its preparation at any time prior to procedure.

You may reach Dr. Mahjoob During the work hours at :

(301) 352 7771

Or after hours at:

(301) 552 0870

Type of Preparation Medication/s:

 Liquids (Highly Recommended)

1)  MoviPrep

About MoviPrep

How to take MoviPrep

2)  GoLYTELY &  NuLYTELY

About GoLYTELY

3) GoLYTELY & NuLYTELY

About NuLYTELY

How to take GoLYTELY & NuLYTELY

 4) Suprep

About Suprep

 How to take Suprep  

                            

3) Option of adding Dulcolax tablet/s

• Patients with long history of constipation or failure to clear the colon in previous colonoscopies despite following the instruction/s above are higly recommended to prepare for the procedure. One option for the scenario above is starting on Dulcolax 10 mg tablet/s from two evenings prior to procedure for total of four doses in the morning and evening. The last dose would be 4-6 hours prior to the procedure time. A total of 8 tablets of 5mg Dulcolax or total of 4 tablets of 10 mg Dulcolax.
• Dulcolax tablets can be purchased from any pharmacy over the counter.