Are you scheduled for a colonoscopy soon? If so, it is a must to thoroughly cleanse your colon before it. There are medications for this, such as `(Golytely)`, `(Nulytely)`, `(Trilyte)` and `(Colyte)`. These are actually the same type of medication, which contains a compound called `(Polyethylene Glycol 3350 with electrolytes)`. These are used to thoroughly cleanse your colon. This is when the doctor can see the inside of your colon clearly.
Why is bowel preparation so important?
Imagine, the doctor (Gastroenterologist) who is doing your colonoscopy wants to see inside your large intestine. It's like driving a car on a road. If your colon is clean, it's like seeing the road clearly on a sunny day. Then the doctor can easily spot even the smallest polyp or the smallest sign of cancer.
But imagine, if the bowel is not properly cleaned? It's like driving in a heavy rain, fog, and nothing can be seen clearly. If that happens, the doctor won't be able to see anything clearly. Then the test results won't be accurate. You might even have to do the test all over again. That's why it's so important to do this `(bowel preparation)` properly.
How do you use this medicine (`Golytely`, `Nulytely`, `Trilyte`, `Colyte`)?
This medicine comes in a large jug as a powder. You need to make it the day before your colonoscopy. You need to add the correct amount of water to the jug. You need to follow the instructions on the package insert exactly, okay? When you add water, it becomes a laxative. By the time you finish drinking the entire jug (if you followed the instructions exactly), your colon should be completely clean.
Remember: If you don't follow your doctor's instructions exactly, your colonoscopy may not be done. That's why this is very important.
Some key preparation tips
These tips are very important for a successful colonoscopy:
- Your bowels should be completely empty so that the doctor can see clearly. Follow the instructions given by your gastroenterologist exactly.
- Do not eat any solid foods the entire day before your colonoscopy. Only drink clear liquids.
- Get your bowel preparation kit at least five days before your colonoscopy.
You also need to think about transportation on the day of the colonoscopy!
When you go to the hospital/clinic for a colonoscopy,You must have a responsible adult (driver) with you. You must have someone to drive you home after the test. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home. If you do not have someone to drive you home, you may not have the test.
Things to be aware of about medications
For your safety, some medications may need to be stopped or the dosage adjusted before the test.
Blood thinners
If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor at least two weeks before the test to discuss changing your dosage. Examples include: ` clopidogrel (Plavix®), `warfarin (Coumadin®), `ticlopidine hydrochloride (Ticlid®), `anagrelide (Agrylin®), `rivaroxaban (Xarelto®), `dabigatran (Pradaxa®), `apixaban (Eliquis®), and `prasugrel (Effient®).
Insulin and diabetes medication
Talk to your doctor about how to adjust your dose in the days before your colonoscopy. Do not take your diabetes pills the morning of your test. If you take insulin, such as insulin glargine injection (Lantus®), insulin lispro (Humalog®), long-acting insulin such as insulin isophane (HumulinN®, NovolinN®, ReliOn®), or 70/30 insulin, you should take only half of your usual dose the day before your test.
Weight management medication
If you are taking weight loss medication, you may need to adjust the dose or stop taking it a few days before the test. Ask your doctor about this. Some medications that you may need to stop taking include: canagliflozin (Invokana®), dapagliflozin (Farxiga®, Forxiga®), dulaglutide (Trulicity®), empagliflozin (Jardiance®), ertugliflozin (Steglatro®), exenatide (Byetta®, Bydureon®), liraglutide (Victoza®, Saxenda®), lixisenatide (Adylyxin®), semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®).
Iron pills
Stop taking iron pills a week before the colonoscopy.
Medications such as aspirin, antibiotics , or diuretics can be taken with a little water the morning of the test. However, if you are unsure about which medications you can continue to take, be sure to ask your doctor.
What to eat and drink three days before a colonoscopy
Stop eating these high-fiber foods three days before your colonoscopy:
- Popcorn
- Types of beans
- Nuts (e.g.:Flax seeds , sunflower seeds, quinoa)
- Multigrain bread
- Nuts like cashews and peanuts
- Salad/Vegetables
- Fresh and dried fruits
Eating and drinking the day before a colonoscopy
You should only drink clear liquids the day before your colonoscopy. Do not eat any solid foods.
You can drink clear liquids up to three hours before your colonoscopy. The table below shows what you can and cannot drink:
| Clear Liquids | Things you can't drink |
|---|---|
| Water | Milk and dairy products |
| Clear soup (no oil) | Orange water, fruit juice (with pieces) |
| Tea (without milk, it's okay to add a little sugar) | Types of alcohol |
| Coffee (without milk, it's okay to add a little sugar) | Red or purple liquids |
| Clear fruit juice (apple, grape - no chunks) | Solid food |
| Jelly (red, not purple) | |
| Ice popsicles (red, not purple) |
Note: Some brand names are registered trademarks.
How to prepare and drink `Golytely`, `Nulytely`, `Trilyte` or `Colyte` liquid?
Prepare this solution the evening before your colonoscopy and refrigerate it before drinking. You can add the flavor pack that came with the medicine packet. However, do not add ice, sugar, or any other sweetener to this solution.
You should drink this colon cleansing liquid in two portions:
Part One: 6:00 PM the day before the colonoscopy
- Drink an 8-ounce (about 240 ml) glass of water every 15 minutes (until half of the liquid is gone).
- Put the rest back in the refrigerator.
Part Two: Six Hours Before the Colonoscopy
- Drink an 8-ounce glass every 15 minutes (until the remaining liquid is half gone).
- You can drink clear liquids up to three hours before the test.
Some people may have a slower bowel movement. Such people may need different advice. If you have any of these conditions, ask your doctor for specific advice:
- Medical conditions that require special care.
- If the previous bowel prep was not done properly (`poor bowel prep results`), it is okay, if it was unsuccessful (`failed bowel prep`).
- If you have had difficulty with anesthesia in the past.
What are the possible side effects of these medications?
Colon cleansing with this `(polyethylene glycol)`-containing medication is generally safe and effective. However, some side effects may occur. These include:
- Bloating
- Stomach cramps (`Cramping`)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Burning sensation around the anus.
What should I do if I have constipation?
You can take additional laxatives (` laxatives` ) a few days before the day of the colon cleanse. Then, by the time the colon cleanse is over, your constipation should be reduced.
What if the results of my previous colon cleanse weren't good?
Be sure to talk to your doctor. You may need additional advice.
What if I have bowel function problems due to a medical condition?
Some medical conditions and medications can slow bowel emptying or cause constipation. For example, people with conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or those who use a wheelchair may have slower digestion. Also, medications such as narcotics, gabapentin, and anticholinergic medications can affect bowel movements. Talk to your doctor about your medical conditions and medications. You may need extra time to clear your bowels and additional laxatives.
What if I have difficulty drinking large amounts of fluids at once?
Start your bowel cleansing process two to three hours earlier. This will give you more time to drink the full amount of fluids.
What if I can't drink all of this colon cleansing liquid?
If you are unable to drink all the fluids, your colonoscopy will likely have to be postponed because your bowels will not be fully cleansed.
If I have had weight loss surgery (`Bariatric Surgery`), do I need to drink all of this liquid?
Things like gastric bypass surgery involve your stomach and small intestine. It doesn't change the length of your large intestine. You may need to drink small amounts, slowly. But, you need to drink the entire amount of liquid. It takes a little longer.
What if I am on dialysis?
Before scheduling your colonoscopy, talk to your nephrologist for specific advice. Typically, dialysis patients take a bowel cleansing medication like Golytely and have the test done on the same day as their dialysis (colonoscopy in the morning, dialysis in the evening).
How do you know if something is a "clear liquid"?
Simply put, if you can put that liquid in a glass and see the other side through the glass, it's a "clear liquid."
Can I use Uber®, Lyft®, a taxi, or a bus to get home?
An adult must be with you when you enter the colonoscopy room, and they must stay in the endoscopy area until you are discharged after the procedure. You can only go home using a taxi service if this adult guardian stays with you when you enter, stays in the endoscopy area until you are discharged after the procedure, and goes home with you in the taxi.
Can't I just "sleep" here for a bit and then drive away by myself?
No, you can't. You must have a responsible adult with you when you come in. That person must stay in the endoscopy center during your test and then take you home. You must not drive for the day after the test.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Doing this bowel prep correctly is key to a successful colonoscopy. When your colon is completely clean, your doctor can more easily spot polyps and other problems.
Instructions may vary depending on the type and brand of bowel prep you are using and from facility to facility. So, if you have any questions about how to prepare this liquid or when to take it, don't hesitate to ask your doctor or healthcare provider.
Don't forget that if you don't follow your doctor's instructions exactly, your colonoscopy may be canceled. So be careful about this.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Why do you do a bowel prep before a colonoscopy?
In order for the doctor to insert a camera and see the inside of the colon clearly, all the stool inside must be completely removed. That's why the colon is cleansed.
💬 How do you take laxatives?
There are usually several liters of this medication. You should drink one portion the evening before the test (you will have to go to the toilet frequently while drinking it), and the remaining portion the morning of the test, as directed by your doctor.
💬 Can I eat rice during this preparation time?
No! Once you start taking the medicine, you are not allowed to eat any solid foods. Instead, you can only drink clear liquids like orange juice, filtered soup water, or Jeevani.
` Colon cleansing, colonoscopy, colon cleansing, medical advice, health, colon, digestive system
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න