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Purchase at the Pharmacy/Grocery Store:
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HalfLytely Bowel Prep Kit (prescription from your doctor)
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Drinking straws
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Plain or aloe baby wipes (prevents a sore bottom)
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Desitin or A&D ointment (prevents a sore bottom)
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One Week Prior to the Procedure:
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Do not take iron pills.
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Your doctor will let you know if you need to hold some medications prior to your procedure. These medications may include Coumadin, aspirin, Percodan, or Alka-Seltzer.
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Tylenol and other brands which contain Acetaminophen are safe to use prior to this procedure.
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For Procedures Scheduled in the Morning:
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On the day before the procedure, have a clear liquid diet all day. Avoid dairy products and juices with pulp such as orange or grapefruit juice. Examples of clear liquid include broth, clear juices (white grape or apple), sports drinks such as Gatorade or PowerAde, sodas such as Sprite, 7-up or ginger ale, lemonade, popsicles, and of course water. It is very important that you drink as much fluid as you can throughout the day.
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At 12:00 noon the day before the procedure, take 4 Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush.
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At 1:00 pm the day before the procedure, add drinking water to the top of the line on the HalfLytely bottle. Cap the bottle and shake to dissolve the powder. The solution will be clear and colorless. Do not add flavorings or anything else to the solution! Place bottle in the refrigerator to get cold.
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At 6:00 pm the day before the procedure, drink an 8 oz. glass of HalfLytely solution. Drink each glass quickly rather than drinking small amounts continuously. Using a straw may help you drink the liquid quickly.
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Continue drinking an 8 oz. glass of HalfLytely solution every 10-15 minutes. Be sure to drink all of the solution.
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Continue to drink clear liquids until midnight.
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Occasionally, some may develop nausea with vomiting. The best remedy for this is to take a break from the prep for about an hour to allow it to move downstream, then resume drinking at at slower rate. It usually takes two hours to complete the entire container, and diarrhea generally continues for about one hour or two after completing the prep. Many have found that drinking through a straw and chilling the solution improves tolerance.
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For Procedures Scheduled in the Afternoon:
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On the day before the procedure, have a clear liquid diet all day. Avoid dairy products and juices with pulp such as orange or grapefruit juice. Examples of clear liquid include broth, clear juices (white grape or apple), sports drinks such as Gatorade or PowerAde, sodas such as Sprite, 7-up or ginger ale, lemonade, popsicles, and of course water. It is very important that you drink as much fluid as you can throughout the day.
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At 7:00 pm the day before the procedure, take 4 Bisacodyl tablets with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush.
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Add drinking water to the top of the line on the HalfLytely bottle. Cap the bottle and shake to dissolve the powder. The solution will be clear and colorless. Do not add flavorings or anything else to the solution! Place bottle in the refrigerator to get cold. You may continue to drink clear liquids throughout the evening. Do not eat any solid foods tonight.
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At 6:00 am the day of the procedure: Do not eat any solid foods. Drink an 8 oz. glass of HalfLytely solution every 10-15 minutes. Drink each glass quickly. Using a straw may help. Be sure to drink all of the solution.
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Do not eat or drink anything after 9:00 am.
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Occasionally, some may develop nausea with vomiting. The best remedy for this is to take a break from the prep for about an hour to allow it to move downstream, then resume drinking at at slower rate. It usually takes two hours to complete the entire container, and diarrhea generally continues for about one hour or two after completing the prep. Many have found that drinking through a straw and chilling the solution improves tolerance.
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Day of Procedure:
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Do not eat or drink anything that day (excepting procedures scheduled in the afternoon).
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If you take medication, you may have it the morning of the procedure with a small amount of water. This means no more than a few small sips of water. You may brush your teeth.
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Arrive at the Endoscopy Center 30 minutes before your procedure is scheduled.
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You may want to leave your valuables at home (jewelry, watches, etc.) and limit makeup and fancy hairdos.
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Bring your driver's license and insurance card with you to the center.
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You must be accompanied by a friend or relative to drive you home. You may not drive yourself or go home in a taxi or bus. If this procedure is not followed your procedure may be cancelled.
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Commonly Asked Questions:
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How do I know if my prep is adequate?
The stool should be watery in consistency. It does not have to be clear in color like water since digestive juices will continue to tint the stool yellow and small flecks of debris are not a problem. If there is any question, you can self-administer a tap water or fleet enema prior to leaving for the procedure.
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What side effects may I expect?
Since the prep works by flooding the intestinal tract, abdominal bloating and cramping may occur, as well as some nausea and vomiting. This is usually temporary. Weakness can also occur, especially if you have not taken enough fluid with the prep, and can be remedied by increasing fluid intake.
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Will the prep interfere with my other medications?
Medications taken at least an hour before beginning the prep should be adequately absorbed, but thereafter they are likely to be washed away by the prep.
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