PREPPING YOUR COLON FOR COLONOSCOPY
Miralax® Prep Instructions
If you have diabetes, you should review with your primary care physician for specific medication adjustments
while on the clear liquid diet.
If you take a medication to thin your blood - Coumadin, Plavix, Pradaxa, Brilinta (Ticagrelor) and have not
cleared this with your cardiologist or prescribing physician please call us at 812 372-8680. We prefer to hold
these for 3-4 days prior if permitted.
If you take aspirin, you may continue to do so. If you could be pregnant, please notify us to review the risks and benefits.
You must arrange for a ride for the day of your exam. You should not drive or use machinery for 24 hrs after
sedation.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call us 1 week in advance at 812 372-8680.
If you would develop diverticulitis (left lower quadrant abdominal pain, fevers, etc. requiring antibiotics)
please call (812) 372-8680 and we might need to delay your exam.
IMPLANTABLE DEVICES:
Bring cards regarding pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and cardiac stents with you to your appointment
and to your procedure.
IMPORTANT TO READ:
To ensure that your colon is examined successfully please follow all instructions carefully. Failure to prep
completely may result in the need for an additional procedure.
Before your exam:
Purchase your colon prep at your local pharmacy.
No prescriptions are necessary for the Miralax prep
7-10 Days before the colonoscopy:
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Purchase Miralax® 238 gms from your drug store.
Purchase 64 ounces of Gatorade® or an electrolyte solution (not red or purple).
Purchase 4 Dulcolax or Bisacodyl tablets also.
•
Consider Tucks® pads or alcohol free disposable baby wipes and Vasoline for the anal area.
Purchase a Fleets Enema if you tend to be constipated.
•
Purchase Chicken or vegetable broth, apple juice, bottled water with electrolytes, Gatorade.
•
Stop Iron supplements, Fish oil, Garlic tablets, Arthritis medications (Motrin, Ibuprofen,
Naprosyn) and fiber supplements (Fibercon®, Metamucil). You may use Tylenol or Celebrex.
•
Arrange for a ride to and from your procedure.
3-4 Days before the colonoscopy:
Avoid high-fiber foods. No salads, seeds, nuts and high fiber foods, bran, rye, whole wheat or brown
rice. Avoid raw fruits, raw or steamed vegetables. Avoid tough meats and fruits with skins.
Start a Low-Fiber Diet. A low fiber diet helps make the day of the prep easier on the body and more
effective.
Low Fiber Diet include:
White bread, white rice, pasta, pancakes, cream of rice, potato without skin, plain crackers
Fish, well cooked and soft meats and chicken, eggs, peanut butter without nuts
Gravy, casseroles,
Clear beverages (apple juice, white grape juice, Sprite®, sparkling water, Gatorade®)
Soft veges - Cooked carrots, cooked green beans, cooked spinach
Canned fruit, except pineapple. Soft bananas are OK.
Milk, plain yogurt, cheese
Jelly, salt, pepper, sugar
2 Days before the colonoscopy:
Continue the low-fiber diet.
Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 glasses of water during the day. Avoid caffeinated beverages which can
cause dehydration.
1 Day before the colonoscopy:
Breakfast: You may have an egg, dry white toast, or a small portion of boneless skinless chicken breast for
breakfast. Then begin a Clear liquid diet.
Clear Liquid Diet (after 9 AM):
No coffee; No alcohol; No dairy products; Avoid red liquids.
Water: drink at least 8 glasses of water during the day
Tea (do not add milk or creamer)
Clear broth or bouillon
Gatorade®, Pedialyte® or Powerade® (Not red)
Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks (Sprite®, 7-Up®, Gingerale)
Fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape, white cranberry)
Jell-O®, popsicles, hard candy (Not red)
3 pm: Take 4 Dulcolax or Bisacodyl tablets
6:00 pm:
Mix 238 grams of Miralax® with 64 ounces of an electrolyte drink (like Gatorade). After mixing the
solution you will set aside 16 oz to take in the morning.
Start drinking the first 48 ounces now. Drink 8 oz every 15 minutes until it is gone.
Over the course of the evening, drink an additional ½ liter (16 ozs) of clear liquids.
•
Continue the clear liquid diet.
Colon Cleansing Tips
Chill the Miralax® solution in the refrigerator. DO NOT add ice to the solution or your drinking glass.
Set a timer every 15 minutes. Drink each 8 - oz. glass of solution quickly to help flush your colon.
Stay near or in the bathroom! You will have diarrhea.
Continue the cleansing solution every 15 minutes.
Drink until all the Miralax® is gone.
If you feel nauseated or vomit, rinse your mouth with water, take a 15 to 30-minute break and then
resume drinking the Miralax® solution possibly at longer intervals.
You may have abdominal cramps, bloating or mild chills from the intestinal activity for up to 2-4 hours.
You may suck on a hard candies.
Tucks pads or baby wipes or Vaseline® may help ease skin irritation.
The Day of your colon exam:
Diet: Clear liquid diet should continued. No solid foods.
Medications: You should take any essential morning medications (heart, blood pressure, seizure).
5-6 hours before:
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Take the remaining 16 ounces of Miralax®
For example, if your colonoscopy is at 11 am, take from 5-6 am.
Continue drinking clear liquids.
2 hours before:
Stop drinking clear liquids.
You are ready for the exam:
Your stool results should consist only of clear or yellow liquid.
If you are unsure whether your colon is clean you could use 1-2 Fleets® enemas or arrive a little early and the
nurses could administer these for you.
Bring a list of all of your current medications, including any allergy or over-the-counter medications.
Bring your photo ID, insurance card and any referral forms that might be required by your payer.
Emergency Contacts:
Office: (812) 372-8680
CRH (Columbus Regional Hospital) (812) 379-4441
ColumbusGastro.com