Colonoscopy Preparation

Bowel Prep Kit

A prep kit will be ready for you to pick up at the CRMC Pharmacy. It includes:

• 4 Dulcolax® (Bisacodyl) tablets (5 mg each)
• 1 bottle of Miralax® (polyethylene glycol 3350), 238 grams
• 56–64 oz. of clear electrolyte drink (like Gatorade or Propel; no red or purple colors)

Clear Liquids

You will be on a clear liquid diet for 1–2 days before your procedure. Below is a list of what you can and cannot have.

Okay to Drink

• Water, flavored water
• Tea and black coffee without any milk, cream or creamers
• Clear juices without pulp such as apple, white grape, lemonade, white cranberry*, clear broth or bouillon (chicken, beef, vegetable)
• Soda
• Sports drinks (Gatorade, Propel, Powerade, pedialyte)
• Popsicles without fruit or cream*
• Jell-O or gelatin without fruit*
• *No red or purple colored items

Do Not Drink

• Alcoholic beverages
• Milk or cream
• Smoothies or milkshakes
• Protein drinks
• Orange juice, grapefruit juice, or tomato juice
• Soups other than broth
• Anything with red or purple dye
• Gum, hard candy, mints
  

• Start cutting back on the amount of food you are eating.

• Avoid foods with seeds, nuts and fruit with skins as these are more difficult to clear out of your colon.

• Drink more water and other clear liquids. Staying hydrated helps you feel better and makes the cleanse more effective.

• You will be on a clear liquid diet all day. No solid food.
• If you feel nauseated at any point, slow down or take a 15–20 minute break before continuing.
• If you have had gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y, gastric diversion, or gastric sleeve surgery, you may need to extend the time between drinks.

3:00 p.m.
Take 4 of the Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) pills by mouth (5 mg each for a total of 20 mg)

6:00 p.m.
Mix the 238-gram bottle of Miralax® (polyethylene glycol 3350) in 56–64 ounces of electrolyte drink until fully dissolved in a pitcher or large container. Drink 8 ounces of the mixture every 15 minutes until half of the solution is gone.

Midnight
No smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco or nicotine pouches. No gum or hard candy.

4–5 Hours Before Your Scheduled Arrival Time
Begin the second half of your prep. Drink 8 ounces of the Miralax solution every 15 minutes until completely gone.

Do not drink anything else after you finish.
If you have a long distance to travel, or if it took you longer than one hour to finish the first half of your prep, begin this second half earlier.

You will need to pick up two sets of the bowel prep materials from the pharmacy. For a full two days, you will be on a clear liquid diet. No solid food.

2 Days Before Your Exam
Clear liquids only — all day.

3:00 p.m.
Take 4 Dulcolax® (Bisacodyl) laxative tablets by mouth (5 mg each, for a total of 20 mg).

6:00 p.m.
Mix one 238-gram bottle of Miralax® with 56 ounces of electrolyte drink.
Drink 8 ounces of the mixture every 15 minutes until finished.

The Day Before Your Exam
Follow the instructions in the “The Day Before (Prep Day)” section above.

Additional Reminders for Procedure Day

• Do not drink any liquids after completing the second half of your prep.
• Shower before coming in. You may wash your hair, brush your teeth, and use deodorant. Do not apply lotion, creams, or powders to your skin that morning.
• Wear clothing that is easy to get on and off. Remove any piercings, and leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
• Bring your ID, insurance card, co-payment, and any rescue inhalers.
• If you wear glasses, contacts, hearing aids, or dentures, you may wear them—but bring the cases, as you may be asked to remove them before your procedure.
• When you arrive, enter through the main entrance and check in at the multispecialty clinic/surgery registration desk just past the café.

What to Bring with You to the Hospital

• Insurance and prescription cards, along with a photo ID
• Payment for any medications prescribed after your procedure
• Glasses and/or contact case
• Hearing aids
• A friend or relative to receive discharge instructions and drive you safely home

You Must Have a Responsible Adult to Take You Home

This is for your safety and the safety of others. Driving after receiving sedation is illegal. Having someone with you ensures post-procedure support.

If you’re using a ride share, taxi, or bus, you must have a responsible adult with you (not just the driver), or your procedure may be canceled or rescheduled.

You may not operate motorized vehicles (e.g., ATV, snowmobile, machinery), use equipment, or sign legal documents for the rest of the day following anesthesia.

We ask that your driver wait at the facility so they can assist you to the vehicle and be ready to take you home after your procedure.

For your safety, we recommend that a responsible adult stay with you for up to 24 hours afterward.

Blood Sugar Management

• If you take insulin, oral medications, or other injectable diabetes medications, your provider may adjust your doses before your procedure.

• During your prep and on the day of your procedure, check your blood sugar more often. If you don’t feel symptoms when your sugar is low, test every 2–3 hours. Try to keep your levels between 100 and 200 mg/dL.

• To help manage your blood sugar, drink both sugar-free and sugar-containing clear liquids on prep day.

• Replace your regular meals with 45–60 grams of liquid carbohydrates (about 1½ to 2 cups).

• If you experience low blood sugar during prep or on procedure day, treat it with ½ cup of apple or white grape juice, or ½ cup of regular soda. If it stays low, contact your healthcare provider.

• Let the care team know right away if you feel symptoms of low blood sugar.

• Your blood sugar may take up to 72 hours to return to normal after your exam.

Continuous Glucose Monitors

If you wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), you’ll need to remove it before your procedure. If you’d like to place a new sensor afterward, please bring your supplies with you.

Clear Liquids with Sugar for Meals or Snacks

Use the options below to replace meals or treat low blood sugar. Avoid red or purple-colored items.

• Apple or white grape juice – ½ cup = 15 grams

• Jell-O® (non-diet) – ½ cup = 15 grams

• Popsicles – ½ cup = 15 grams

• Regular soda – ½ cup = 15 grams

• Gatorade® or other sports drinks – 1 cup = 15 grams

• Kool-Aid® – ½ cup = 15 grams

• Clear Boost® – ½ cup = 18 grams

• Clear Ensure® – ½ cup = 16 grams