Colonoscopy Instructions
Please come directly to the “Outpatient” Woodland
Surgery Center which is located on the first floor
at 1321 Cottonwood Street. It is very important
that your colon be prepared adequately prior to
the examination. Please be sure to follow these
instructions for eating and drinking.
One Week Prior to Exam
• AVOID the following foods: nuts, popcorn,
seeds (sunflower, poppy, etc.), fruits with seeds
(strawberry, kiwi, tomatoes, etc.)
• AVOID the following medications: Aspirin, Advil,
Aleve, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Naprosyn or any similar
anti-inflammatory medications or any other blood
thinning medications. Tylenol is OK.
• AVOID iron medications or vitamins that contain
iron.
• Check with your doctor if you are taking Coumadin,
Plavix and Pradaxa.
Day Before Exam
• Do NOT eat any solid food the day before the
exam (even if you are scheduled for an afternoon
appointment). You may drink CLEAR liquids only.
Drink at least 8-10 eight ounce glasses of clear
liquids the day before the procedure.
• Clear liquids include: water, apple juice, popsicles,
Kool-Aid, coffee/tea (no creamer), broth (chicken,
beef, veggie), carbonated beverages, Jell-o (avoid
red).
• There is one gallon of liquid in the laxative GoLytely (or similar preparations). Some patients
cannot tolerate drinking all of it at one setting. We
recommend the “split dose” method as follows:
Drink 1/2 to 2/3 gallon over 2 -4 hours;
approximately an 8 oz glass every 10-20 minutes;
slow down if you feel bloated or nauseous and
resume drinking only after these sensations subside.
A few hours later (typically 4 - 6 hours) take
whatever remains at 10-20 minute intervals
between intake.
Procedures Scheduled in the
Morning
• Start Go-Lytely at 1 p.m. the day before the
procedure. Drink 1/2 to 2/3 gallon by 3-4 p.m. Then
resume drinking it at 8 p.m.
Procedures Scheduled in the
Afternoon
• Start Go-Lytely at 7 p.m. the night before the
procedure. Drink 1/2 to 2/3 gallon by 9-10 p.m.
Resume taking it at 6-7 a.m. the morning of the
procedure. Finish by 9 a.m.
Day of Exam
• Nothing to eat or drink other than bowel prep
• You will need a ride to and from your procedure.
• You may take any necessary medicines (blood
pressure or heart medications) with small sips of
water. You will be given a medication before the
procedure to help you relax. You may still be drowsy
after the procedure. On rare occasions, it may be
necessary to keep you in the hospital overnight.
Colonoscopy Instructions
Please follow the instructions below. This is very important for your
safety and comfort. Disregarding this instructions may cause a delay or
cancellation of your procedure.
Medications to Discontinue
Medications to Continue
2 weeks Before Surgery
• All antihypertensive medications except
diuretics
• All herbal medicine
• Ticlid
7 Days Before Surgery
• Plavix and Aspirin
4-5 Days Before Surgery
• Coumadin
3 Days Before Surgery
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (i.e.
Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn)
1 Day Before Surgery
• Diuretics
Day of Surgery
• Over-the-counter medications (analgesics,
multivitamins, iron).
• Hold oral hypoglycemics and insulin
• All Cardiac Medications. You may need to
be referred to a cardiologist or internist to
assure the therapeutic effect or toxicity of the
medication(s).
• Steroids (substitute with parenteral steroids as
required).
• All inhalers, nebulizers, and oral antibronchospastic medications for COPD and
asthma. You should bring your inhaler(s) with
you to use pre-operatively.
• All anti-seizure medications.
• Antidepressants, anxiolytics and medications
for phobias/panic disorders.
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: i.e.
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
and tranylocypromine (Parnate).
• Take acid blockers, reflux medications.
• Please take appropriate medications (per your
doctor’s instructions) the morning of surgery
with sips of water.
PS-G-WHC-588 (03-14)