Procedure Preparation - the week and day before your Colonoscopy

One Week Prior to your colonoscopy

• No Aspirin or Aspirin Products (Anacin, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Nuprin, Excedrin, etc.)
• No Arthritis or Anti-Inflammatory Medications (Advil, Celebrex, Lodine, Motrin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Relafen, Voltaren, etc.)
• Tylenol is ok to take
• No Iron Pills or Multi-Vitamins with Iron

Diabetic Patients
Please contact the physician that manages your diabetes to review our instructions.  They have the final input on your diabetic management the day prior to and the day of your procedure.

1. If applicable, please take ½ of your prescribed a.m. insulin dose, the day of your procedure.
2. If applicable, please hold off on your oral diabetic medication, the day of your procedure

Cardiac Patients
If you are taking Coumadin, Plavix, or Lovenox, please let us know because you will need to stop these medications 3-5 days prior to your procedure.  If applicable, please take your blood pressure (hypertension) medication on the morning of your procedure with a sip of water.  Patients with cardiac stents MUST call their cardiologist regarding their medications as you may need to continue them depending upon the type of stent you have in place.  If you have a pacemaker or defibulator, please let us know immediately.

Day Before the Colonoscopy - Drink only clear liquids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  No solid foods, milk or milk products. 

• Clear liquids include: strained broths, bouillon, fruit flavored drinks, kool aid, crystal light, white grape juice, white cranberry juice, apple juice (no cider), black coffee, tea, jell-o, popsicles, ensure, and sports drinks.  NO milk products or sherbets.  AVOID anything red or purple in color.

 *** NO EATING OR DRINKING, AFTER MIDNIGHT, THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE***

• The bowels should eventually empty a clear, yellow liquid.
• You will require a thorough cleaning of the colon prior to the procedure.  Please contact our office, if your bowel movement is still not clear by 7 a.m.

PREPARATION DIAGRAM FOR HALF-LYTELY

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS – EVENING BEFORE REGIMEN

A.M. the day before the Procedure; add lukewarm drinking water to top of line on bottle. Cap the bottle and shake to dissolve the powder. The mixed solution will be clear and colorless. Use within 48 hours.

5 p.m. (or whenever you get home for the day); take two (2) bisacodyl delayed-release tablets with water (do not chew or crush).  Do not take within an hour of taking an antacid such as Tums or Rolaids.

 
5 p.m., drink one (1) 8-ounce glass of Half-Lytely every 10-minutes until the entire container is gone (about eight (8) glasses).  Drink each glass quickly rather than drinking small amounts continuously.  This should precipitate bowel movements in approximately one (1) hour.  BE SURE TO DRINK ALL OF THE SOLUTION.

The bowels should eventually empty a clear, yellow liquid.  You may continue to drink clear liquids up until six (6) hours prior to your procedure and then consume nothing further but approved medications with a sip of water.  If by 7 a.m. the bowel movement is still not clear, please call your physician at (847) 247-0187.

Day of your Colonoscopy

***YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE AVAILABLE TO DRIVE YOU HOME, FOLLOWING YOUR PROCEDURE.  The procedure will not be done unless you have someone to drive you home.  Taxicabs are not acceptable.  You cannot go back to work.***

***PLEASE REMEMBER -- NO EATING OR DRINKING, AFTER MIDNIGHT,
THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE***

If you have any problems or questions, please call our office at (847) 247-0187.