Colonoscopy: MiraLAX Preparation

  • If you are a diabetic, hold your oral diabetic medication the morning of the procedure. Check your blood sugar the morning of the procedure. If you use insulin or an insulin pump, check with your primary care doctor for instructions during your prep and the day of your procedure. Please bring your insulin with you the day of your procedure. Drink clear fruit juice if your blood sugar gets low.
  • If you are on a medication to thin your blood (an anticoagulant or antiplatelet), do not stop your blood thinning medications until you hear from our office. We will contact your physician who prescribes this medication for instructions and notify you. If you have not heard from us a week before your procedure, please call our office at (937) 320-5050 to speak with your physician’s medical assistant.
  • If you are on aspirin or NSAIDs, you may continue to these medications.
  • If you take iron or vitamins containing iron, hold these medications for five days before procedure.
  • If you have asthma, bring your inhaler with you to your procedure.
  • If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, please bring it with you to your procedure.

Seven Days Before Your Procedure

  • Avoid eating nuts, seeds, flax seed, iceberg lettuce, corn, popcorn or tomato skins.
  • Purchase the prep supplies listed. Your prescription will be electronically sent to your pharmacy or enclosed.
  • Review the instructions below for information regarding when to begin and how to take your bowel prep.

Miralax Prep Items to Purchase

  • bottle (8.3 ounce) 238 gms of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 laxative such as MiraLAX, Dulcolax Balance or Equate ClearLax )
  • 1 Gatorade -64-ounce, any flavor except those with red color (you may substitute an equal quantity of Crystal Light Drink mix or other non-carbonated clear liquid. G2 is a Gatorade product with less sugar that we recommend.) You will need a 2 quart container in which to mix.
  • 2 bisacodyl laxative (5mg) tablets (Dulcolax or other brand) – do not purchase stool softener or suppositories.
  • Items from the clear liquid diet list, such as Jell-O, broth and clear juices or drinks
  • In some patients, bowel preps may cause urgency of bowel movements, and you may want to pad your undergarments and bedding. Desitin cream may help if the rectal area becomes irritated by frequent stools during your preparation.

Examples of a Clear Liquid Diet

Clear liquids are any liquid that you can see through. Do not consume any red liquids or alcoholic beverages.

CLEAR LIQUIDS INCLUDE:

  • Water or Vitamin Water (no red flavors)
  • Coffee or tea without creamer
  • Jell-O (no red flavors)
  • Sport drinks like Gatorade, G2, Powerade or Propel (no red flavors)
  • Popsicles (no red flavors)
  • Broth or bouillon
  • Ensure Clear Peach Flavor
  • Carbonated beverages like Coke, 7UP, or Mountain Dew
  • Apple juice or white grape juice

The Day Before the Procedure

Consume only clear liquids in place of solid foods.

At 3 PM: Take two (2) bisacodyl laxative tablets with a glass of water. Pour the Gatorade (or your substituted non-carbonated clear liquid) into a two quart pitcher. Pour the entire bottle of powdered laxative into the non-carbonated clear liquid and mix well.  (The powder will dissolve more easily if the non-carbonated clear liquid is at room temperature.) Shake together and put in refrigerator.

At 4 PM: Drink half (32 ounces) of the laxative mixture at a rate of about 8 ounces every 15 minutes. It is OK to drink clear liquids between. Put the rest of the mixture back in the refrigerator.

  • 1 8-oz glass at 4 PM
  • 1 8-oz glass at 4:15 PM
  • 1 8-oz glass at 4:30 PM
  • 1 8-oz glass at 4:45 PM

At 8 PM: Drink the remaining 32 ounces of the laxative mixture at a rate of about eight ounces every 15 minutes. Continue to drink plenty of clear liquids until you go to bed.

  • 1 8-oz glass at 8 PM
  • 1 8-oz glass at 8:15 PM
  • 1 8-oz glass at 8:30 PM
  • 1 8-oz glass at 8:45 PM

After completing the laxative, continue clear liquids until you go to bed.

The Day of the Procedure

  • Have NOTHING to eat or drink, including gum, hard candy, and chewing tobacco OR YOUR PROCEDURE MAY BE CANCELLED.
  • Using a small amount of water, take your prescription medications as you usually do unless you have been instructed to hold the medication prior to the procedure.
  • It is very important that you take your blood pressure or heart medication as usual.
  • You may brush your teeth the morning of the procedure.

A Few Reminders Before Leaving Home

  • You must have a driver (no taxis or buses) to take you home after the procedure.
  • Bring a list of your current medications and any allergies to medication.
  • Bring your insurance cards and driver’s license/picture ID with you.
  • If you are a diabetic, check your blood sugar at home before your procedure.
  • If you have an implanted cardiac defibrillator, it is very important that you bring the card identifying the device manufacturer, model, and serial number.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
  • You may wear your dentures, hearing aids, contacts, or glasses; however, you may be asked to remove them for the procedure. Please leave your jewelry at home.

Questions?

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