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Purchase at the Pharmacy/Grocery Store:
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NuLytely, Colyte, or Trilyte (prescription from your doctor)
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One-half gallon (64 oz.) bottled water
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Drinking straws
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Clear liquids: Gatorade, 7-up, broth, etc.
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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, multivitamins, or vitamin E. Do not take medications that may cause bleeding.
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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, Plavix, Ticlid, anti-inflammatory medicines 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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One Day Before the Procedure:
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Have a clear liquid diet all day. Avoid 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, mix all of the NuLytely, Colyte, or Trilyte in the 64 oz. (1/2 gallon) bottle of water. Cap and shake the solution until the mix is dissolved. Place in the refrigerator.
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At 5:00 pm, drink an 8 oz. glass every 10-15 minutes until the solution is gone (drinking with a straw helps). It usually takes about an hour to notice the diarrhea affect. You may notice some bloating or cramping at the beginning of the prep but this usually gradually improves once the diarrhea begins.
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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, and then to resume drinking at at slower rate. It usually take three 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!
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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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