Duke GI of Raleigh at Duke Medicine Plaza Raleigh
3480 Wake Forest Road - Suite 500 - Raleigh, NC 27609
Telephone: (919) 862-5075 Fax: (919) 862-5076 Email: DGIR@mc.Duke.edu
You have been scheduled for a colonoscopy. This procedure is performed by passing a thin
flexible tube through your large intestine to examine its lining. Our highest priority is
performing the most careful and safest possible examination for each patient. Although we
strive to remain on schedule, please understand that some procedures may take longer in
some patients than in others. As a result, your procedure may not be performed at the exact
time you were scheduled. We ask for your patience and that you allow at least 4 hours for
your visit.
COLONOSCOPY PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR
TWO DAY BOWEL PREPARATION
Please read all of these instructions at least ONE WEEK before your scheduled procedure date
Your physician has prescribed a two day bowel preparation for you to prepare (clean) your colon
for your colonoscopy. This means that you need to start preparing your colon for your
colonoscopy TWO DAYS before your procedure date. There are many reasons you may need to
complete a TWO DAY Bowel Preparation these may include: a personal history of a poor
preparation during your last colonoscopy, the use of medications that slow down the motion of
your GI tract (anti depressants, pain medications), chronic health conditions especially those that
limit your mobility and/or chronic constipation.
In Addition to the prescription preparation, you will need to purchase ONE BOTTLE OF
MAGNESIUM CITRATE. You can buy this at any pharmacy over the counter in the
laxative aisle. Magnesium Citrate is a laxative solution, that when consumed, will cause
some abdominal cramping and several liquid bowel movements
Five (5) days before colonoscopy:
Begin a restricted-residue (low fiber) diet – DO NOT eat nuts, seeds, peas, beans, popcorn, corn,
etc. Discontinue fiber supplements such as Metamucil, Citrucel, Fiber all, etc.
Procedure Date and Time: ________________________________________________________
Procedure Location: _____________________________________________________________
TWO DAYS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
You need to begin your preparation by EATING A LIGHT BREAKFAST (i.e. yogurt, scrambled
eggs and fluids) then ONLY drink clear fluids for the remainder of the next TWO days before your
procedure. YOU CAN NOT EAT ANY SOLID FOOD after the light breakfast
(Please disregard colon prep box instructions-ONLY follow instructions received from Duke).
You may drink unlimited amounts of any type of clear fluid: water, sports drinks, apple juice, popsicles,
gelatin, beef/chicken broth and/or clear sodas. DO NOT DRINK: coffee, tea, alcohol, milk or anything
that is purple or red in color.
AT 6:00 PM DRINK THE ENTIRE BOTTLE OF MAGENSIUM CITRATE. YOU CAN SIP
ON IT SLOWLY AND DRINK IT OVER ONE HOUR.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE
(Follow the GOLYTELY INSTRUCTIONS – See below)
COLONOSCOPY PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS GOLYTELY
To ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed during the procedure, intravenous sedation
medication will be given. YOU MAY NOT DRIVE HOME AFTER YOU RECEIVE SEDATION.
You must have a responsible adult, over the age of 18; with a valid driver’s license
accompany you & remain on site throughout your entire procedure. Your driver should stay
with you for several hours after your procedure. If your ride does not accompany you to
the unit, you will be asked to reschedule your procedure. You may not go home alone
in a taxi or on a bus.
SPECIAL MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS
We recommend you make the following medication changes prior to your procedure:
 Blood-thinning medications such as: Coumadin, Ticlid, Plavix, Persantine, Aggrenox and
Lovenox MAY need to be discontinued prior to your procedure. Please refer to your specific
patient instructions provided to you. *if you did not receive specific instructions, please seek
instructions from your prescribing provider.
 NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin) no longer need to be stopped. Continue taking as usual.
 Iron pills: Stop taking 7 days prior to your procedure.
Diabetic patients: Follow these guidelines
 Oral Medicine (“sugar pill”): Do not take the day before or the day of your procedure.
 Insulin: If you take insulin, take half of your usual dose the day before your procedure and
hold your insulin the day of your procedure.
Insulin Pump: Call your prescribing
physician for dose adjustments for both the clear liquid day and fasting time before
procedure.
 Tips to prevent low blood sugar: During the clear liquid preparation day, it is important to
drink protein to prevent low blood sugar. A good source is clear chicken or beef broth
strained off soup. Keep glucose tablets on hand (available over the counter in the diabetic
supplies at any pharmacy) for sudden drops of blood sugar during both clear liquid and
fasting times.
Procedure Date and Time: ________________________________________________________
Procedure Location: _____________________________________________________________

All other prescribed medications (such as blood pressure pills): Continue taking as usual.
If you have any questions about your medications, call your prescribing physician.
GoLytely® Split Dose Colonoscopy Prep
Duke Medicine is following the recommendation of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), for split
dose bowel preps. The first dose is to be taken the night before the colonoscopy and the second dose is to be
taken the day of the procedure. Split dose preps have a better prep quality, tolerance, and a decrease in missed
cancers.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY PROCEDURE:
Continue to drink only clear fluids for the entire day before your procedure. You may drink
unlimited amounts of any type of clear fluid as instructed above.
Step 1: TAKE THE TABLETS AT 12:00 PM (NOON) with a glass of water.
You will have to purchase this over the counter (ducolax tablet)
Step 2: MIX THE SOLUTION
Add water to the “fill line” on the bottle. Cap the container and shake it to dissolve the powder. The
solution will be clear and colorless. The solution needs to be refrigerated. The solution should be used
within 24 hours of adding water. No additional ingredients should be added to the solution. You can
continue to drink additional fluid (juices, water and sports drinks).
Step 3: DRINK THE SOLUTION Starting at 6:00 PM: Shake the Golytely container well.
Drink 1 (8 oz) glass about every 10 minutes as tolerated until you are finished HALF of the solution,
(about 4 glasses). A watery bowel movement should begin approximately 1 hour after starting the
preparation. You will still have loose bowel movements for about 1 to 2 hours after you finish drinking
the solution.
PROCEDURE DAY
Step 4: FINISH DRINKING THE SOLUTION: Finish drinking the last HALF (4 glasses) of the
preparation solution, no later than 3 hours before your colonoscopy appointment; it is recommended
that you begin drinking 4-5 hours before your appointment time. (Example: 8:00 am appointments
need to complete their preparation no later than 5:00 am.) YOU NEED TO DRINK THE
ENTIRECONTAINER OF THE PREPARATION BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE TO MAXIMIZE THE
QUALITY OF YOUR EXAMINATION.
STOP DRINKING ALL FLUIDS THREE HOURS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE TIME!
AS A REMINDER - THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE
Please bring a list of your current medications, with dosages, your insurance card, photo identification and
co pay for your procedure. If you have an Internal Defibrillator Device please bring your device
information card to give to the nurse.
**If you are scheduled for your procedure at our office, a nurse from our staff will call you prior to your procedure to review
your health history, medication use and preparation instructions. If your procedure is scheduled at Duke Raleigh Hospital,
you may be required to speak with a hospital staff nurse and/or have a pre testing appointment. If you are required to have a
pretesting appointment and you do not meet with the pre testing department, your procedure may be cancelled. If you miss
our call, please contact us and ask to speak to a nurse concerning your procedure. If you need to cancel or reschedule your
procedure please call our office at 919-862-5075. **
Your Prescription is included
Your Prescription has been submitted to your pharmacy___________________
Procedure Date and Time: ________________________________________________________
Procedure Location: _____________________________________________________________
Procedure Date and Time: ________________________________________________________
Procedure Location: _____________________________________________________________