How to cleanse your colon for a colonoscopy with CLENPIQ: What you need to know!

Are you having a colonoscopy soon? If so, your doctor may have told you to cleanse your colon beforehand. Most often, a medicine called CLENPIQ is used for this. This is to explain to you in simple terms exactly how to do this. Don't worry, we'll talk about everything in detail.

What is CLENPIQ? Why is it important?

Simply put, CLENPIQ is a medicine that cleanses your large intestine, or colon, completely. It contains sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid. These ingredients work together to cleanse your colon thoroughly.

So, why is this bowel prep so important? Think about it, a colonoscopy is when the doctor puts a camera inside your colon and looks at it. If there are any food particles or waste in the colon, it won't be possible to examine it properly, right? It's like driving a car on a muddy road on a rainy day. You can't see anything clearly.

But if the bowel is well cleansed, the doctor can clearly see even small polyps that could lead to cancer. It's like driving on a sunny day on a good road. That's why this bowel preparation step is so important. If it's not done properly, you may have to do a colonoscopy again at some point.

How to use CLENPIQ?

CLENPIQ usually comes in a drinkable liquid form, in a small bottle. You will need to take two bottles of this. One the day before the test, and the other the morning of the test. The most important thing is to follow the instructions your doctor gives you exactly as instructed. If you don't do this exactly, the test may be invalidated.

These are the things you must do to have a successful colonoscopy!

• Your bowel needs to be completely empty so the doctor can see clearly.
• Follow the instructions given by your gastroenterologist exactly .
• Do not eat any solid foods the day before your colonoscopy. Only drink clear liquids. Continue drinking these clear liquids until 3 hours before the test.
• Get your bowel preparation kit from the pharmacy at least five days before your colonoscopy.

About preparing a vehicle on the day of the test

This is also very important. When you go in for your colonoscopy, you must have a responsible adult (driver) with you. They must stay with you until you are discharged after the examination, given your medication, and discharged. You will not be allowed to go home alone after the examination.If there is no one to take you home, your test will have to be canceled. This is for your safety.

Important: If you use a service like Uber® or Lyft®, the adult companion who accompanies you from the time you enter until you are dropped off must ride home with you in that vehicle.

Be careful about the medicine you take!

For your safety, some medications may need to be stopped or the dosage adjusted a few days before the test. It is important to discuss this with your doctor.

• Blood thinners: If you are taking these medications, talk to your doctor about them at least two weeks before the test. Examples include: clopidogrel (Plavix®), warfarin (Coumadin®), ticlopidine hydrochloride (Ticlid®), anagrelide (Agrylin®), rivaroxaban (Xarelto®), dabigatran (Pradaxa®), apixaban (Eliquis®), and prasugrel (Effient®).
• Insulin and diabetes medication: Always talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose in the days before your colonoscopy. Do not take your diabetes medication after midnight on the day 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 management medication, you may need to adjust the dose or stop taking it a few days/weeks before the test. Ask your doctor for more information. 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 these a week before your colonoscopy.

Medications such as aspirin, antibiotics, or diuretics can be taken with a sip of water on the day of the test. However, if you are unsure about which medications you can continue to take, be sure to ask your doctor.

Stop eating these foods three days before a colonoscopy!

You should stop eating these high-fiber foods three days before the test:

• Popcorn
• Beans
• Nuts (e.g. flax seeds, sunflower seeds, quinoa)
• Multigrain bread
• Nuts (like cashews, peanuts)
• Lettuce/vegetables (eaten raw)
• Fresh and dried fruits

The day before a colonoscopy

You should not eat any solid foods on this day. You should only drink clear liquids. You can continue to drink these clear liquids until 3 hours before the test.

What are these "clear liquids"?

Simply put, if you can pour it into a glass and see through it, it's a clear liquid.

• Things you can drink: water, salted porridge (well filtered), clear soup (no oil, no chunks), fruit juice (no fiber, e.g. apple juice, grape juice - no red), tea/coffee (no milk, cream), jelly (no red, purple, orange), sweet drinks (clear ones like soda).
• Things not to drink: Milk and dairy products, cream, fruit juices with fiber, red, purple, orange colored liquids (as these can look like blood in the intestines), alcohol.

How to drink CLENPIQ exactly

You will need to take this colon cleansing medicine (CLENPIQ) in two doses, several hours apart. You must take the entire dose as directed. Otherwise, you may have to postpone your test. You can refrigerate the two bottles of CLENPIQ the evening before your colonoscopy. But do not add ice, sugar, or other sweeteners to the medicine.

First dose: Around 6:00 PM the day before the colonoscopy

• Drink one bottle of CLENPIQ completely.
• Over the next three hours, drink at least five additional 8-ounce (240 ml) glasses of clear liquids (that means water, broth, etc.).

Second dose: On the day of the colonoscopy, six hours before the test

• Drink the second bottle of CLENPIQ completely.
• Within the next hour, drink at least four additional 8-ounce (about 240 ml) glasses of clear liquids.
• You can drink clear liquids up to three hours before the test.

Special occasions and problems you may encounter

Some people have slightly different stomachs. Such people may need different advice. If you have any of these conditions, seek personal advice from your doctor:

• If you have a medical condition that requires special care.
• If the colon cleansing was not done properly during a previous colonoscopy, or if it was unsuccessful.
• If you had any discomfort with anesthesia during a previous examination.

What should I do if I have constipation?

You can take an additional laxative a few days before the day of the cleanse. This will help reduce constipation on the day of the cleanse. Talk to your doctor about this as well.

What if the results of my previous colon cleanse aren't good?

Be sure to see your doctor. You will probably need additional advice.

What if I have intestinal motility problems due to a medical condition?

Some medical conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)) and some medications (e.g., narcotics, gabapentin, anticholinergic medications) can delay bowel emptying and cause constipation. If you are a wheelchair user, that can also affect your ability to pass stool. Tell your doctor about your medical history and any medications you are currently taking. You may need extra time to empty your bowels and additional laxatives.

What if I have difficulty drinking large amounts of fluids at once?

Start taking the medicine two to three hours before you need to take it. This will give you more time to take the full dose.

What if I can't take all the stomach cleansing medicine?

If you are unable to take the entire dose, the colonoscopy will likely have to be postponed because the bowel movement is not sufficient.

If I have had bariatric surgery, do I need to drink this full amount?

Gastric bypass surgery involves your stomach and small intestine. It doesn't change the length of your colon. You may need to take small, frequent doses. But you need to take the full amount of medicine that will cleanse your stomach. That takes a little longer.

What if I am on dialysis?

See your nephrologist and get specific advice before scheduling your test. Typically, dialysis patients are given a bowel cleansing drug called Golytely and have their colonoscopy done on the same day as their dialysis (like colonoscopy in the morning and dialysis in the evening).

How do I know if something is a "clear liquid"?

Simple. If you can pour it into a glass and see through it, it's a "clear liquid."

Can I use Uber®, Lyft®, a taxi, or a bus to get home?

No. You must have an adult with you when you enter the colonoscopy. They must also stay in the endoscopy area until you leave. You can only use a taxi service if this adult companion accompanies you from the time you enter until you leave, and also takes you home in the same taxi.

Can't I just "sleep" here for a bit and then drive away by myself?

Absolutely not. You must have a responsible adult with you when you go in. That person must stay in the endoscopy center during the test and drive you home afterward. You absolutely cannot drive a vehicle for the rest of the day after the test.

Finally, I have to tell you... (Take-Home Message)

Colonoscopy is a procedure to cleanse the colon.The most important and essential part. Follow the instructions given by your gastroenterologist exactly. They can easily detect polyps and other abnormalities if the colon is clear.

If you have any questions about using CLENPIQ, ask your doctor before you start taking it. Don't be afraid or embarrassed. This is very important for your health!

` Colonoscopy, colon cleanse, CLENPIQ, bowel examination, digestive system, colon, medical advice