Have someone drive you or be available to drive you home the day of the procedure. Due to the sedation you will not be allowed to drive yourself. Somebody responsible for you can accompany you in a taxi but no public transport is allowed. This is for your own safety. Your procedure will be canceled if you do not have a ride.

It is recommended that you do not go back to work, do any strenuous exercise, drive or sign any legal documents after the procedure.

Please contact our office immediately if you have any of the following medical conditions and have not already discussed this with us:

• History of liver, kidney (dialysis), heart or lung disease
• Anticoagulation therapy (Coumadin or Heparin)
• Excessive bleeding during previous surgery or dental extraction
• Have diabetes

Please notify us if you have any special health care needs.

Preparation

Purchase Go-lytely (or Nu-lytely) from your drugstore using the prescription enclosed. It comes in powder form and you need to mix it with water when you are ready to use it. Please note that if it is kept mixed for longer than 2 days it loses its effect.

7 days before colonoscopy

Stop taking iron, aspirin, aspirin products or Pepto Bismol.

Please note that Tylenol (acetaminophen) does not interfere with the procedure. Please consult your physician if you have any questions about your medication, especially if you have been told not to stop taking these drugs suddenly without medical advice.

2 days before colonoscopy

Stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (e.g. Motrin, Advil, Feldene, Naprosyn Nuprin, Celebrex and Vioxx).

Consume clear liquids all day (see menu sheet). Do not drink milk or red colored liquids as this can interfere with the test. Medicines should be taken on your regular schedule except for those mentioned above.

1 day before colonoscopy
Same as previous day: consume clear liquids only. Medicines should be taken on your regular schedule, except those already contra-indicated.

Start the 4 liters of Go-lytely (or Nu-lytely) between noon and 4:00pm. It will take 3 to 4 hours to drink (approximately 1x 8oz glass every 10 to 15 minutes).

To make it easier to palate, here are a few suggestions:

• Suck on a lemon or lime wedge after each glass.
  (This will significantly decrease the nausea, which is caused by smelling and tasting the go-lytely.)
• Chill the Go-lytely/Nu-lytely before drinking.
• Add lemon or lime flavored Crystal Light to the Go/Nu-lytely

Do not drink anything except water, if needed, while drinking the Go-lytely/Nu-lytely. After completely finishing the Go/Nu-lytely you may continue to drink any clear liquids, but no solid food.

If you cannot finish the entire 4 liters of Go-Lytely: you need to take 1 ½ oz of Fleet phospho-soda the evening before the procedure. This must then be repeated the morning of the procedure at 6:00a.m. Fleet phospho-soda is available from any pharmacy without prescription. It needs to be mixed with half a glass (4 oz) of water. Once you have drunk this follow it with at least 5 glasses (8 oz) of any clear liquid, within the next hour. Note: do not use Fleet phospho-soda if you have diabetes, kidney, liver or heart failure.

You may feel full and have mild indigestion from the large volume of liquid, but these symptoms are temporary.
 
Day of colonoscopy
Fleets enema early am. 

Drink clear liquids only. Your preparation is complete when you are no longer passing stool but a clear yellow/green liquid.

NOTHING BY MOUTH 4 HOURS BEFORE PROCEDURE. Medicines should be taken on your regular schedule, except those already contra-indicated, until 4 hours before the procedure. 

Wear loose comfortable clothing e.g. sweats and a T-shirt. You may keep short sleeve clothing on during the procedure under the gown that we provide. The procedure room can be cold so you may wish to bring socks too. Please avoid using fingernail polish.

Your ride can contact the Endoscopy Unit at (650) 725-8117 to find out if you are ready to be picked up on the day of the procedure.

If you need to change or cancel this appointment please notify us at least one week in advance at the office of Gastroenterology at (650) 725-3374. This will enable us to schedule another patient for that appointment time.