Colonoscopy: MiraLAX Split Preparation Light Breakfast

  • 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

  • 1 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 Your Procedure

Consume only clear liquids in place of solid foods. You may have a light breakfast before 9 am in the morning, before you start your clear liquid diet and afternoon bowel preparation.

At Noon: Take two bisacodyl laxative tablets with a glass of water. (In most people, bisacodyl begins to work in 6 hours or more. You may delay this step as late as 2 PM if that is more convenient.)

At 5 PM: Pour the Gatorade (or your substituted non-carbonated clear liquid) into a 2 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.) Drink an 8-ounce glass of the laxative mixture every 15 minutes until half the solution is gone (4 glasses over 1 hour).

  • 1 8-oz. glass at 5 PM
  • 1 8-oz. glass at 5:15 PM
  • 1 8-oz. glass at 5:30 PM
  • 1 8-oz. glass at 5:45 PM

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

The Day of Your Procedure

Six hours before your procedure time, drink the remaining solution. The correct timing of this dose is essential to an effective preparation. The quality of the preparation has a profound impact on how well the physician is able to detect small lesions in the colon. More information about the importance of the preparation can be found later in this packet. If you must travel an hour or longer to reach our facility, you should begin this step of your preparation at least six hours before your procedure but not greater than eight hours before.

  • 1 8-oz. glass every 15 minutes – 4 glasses in total
  • 4 hours before your procedure time, Have NOTHING to eat or drink, including gum, hard candy, and chewing tobacco OR YOUR PROCEDURE MAY BE CANCELLED. In addition, follow these instructions:
  • 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?

Call Us