Has the doctor told you that you need to have a colonoscopy, a test that looks inside your intestines? Some people get a little scared when they hear that. More than the test itself, most people talk about taking the medicine that is prescribed to cleanse your intestines before the procedure. So, if you have been prescribed such a medicine, it is very important to be fully informed about it. Today we are going to talk about a medicine that cleanses the intestines.
What is this medicine? Simply put...
There are a few main ingredients in this medicine: Polyethylene Glycol, Electrolytes, and Ascorbic Acid. Don't be alarmed by these names. Simply put, this is a medicine that is given to completely clean out your intestines (bowel prep) before a medical test.
This works in a very simple way. When you dissolve this medicine in water and drink it, it draws more water into your intestines. Then, the stool in the intestines becomes loose, soft, and starts to pass easily. It also helps to push the stool out by increasing the pressure in the intestines. These belong to the group of drugs called laxatives .
The most important thing is that this medicine is used so that the doctor can clearly examine the inside of your intestines. If there is any stool left in the intestines, the examination will not be able to provide accurate information.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing this medicine to you, your doctor will ask you a lot of questions about your health. However, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor. You may think this is a small thing, but even those small things can be very important for your safety.
| Health condition or problem | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Chronic disease of the intestines, stomach, or throat | This medicine may aggravate an existing medical condition. |
| Bloating or stomach ache | This medication may temporarily increase these symptoms. It is best to keep your doctor informed about this. |
| Dehydration | This medicine reduces the amount of water in the body, so it can be dangerous if you are already dehydrated. |
| Difficulty swallowing | If it is difficult to drink large amounts of fluids, it is essential to inform them. |
| G6PD deficiency | Because this is a blood-related condition, it can cause problems with some medications. |
| Heart disease | Changes in the body's electrolyte (salt) levels can affect the heart. |
| Kidney disease | The kidneys are responsible for balancing the body's fluids and salts. This medicine is dangerous if you have kidney problems. |
| Decreased sodium levels in the blood | This medication can change saliva levels, so it is important to be aware of this. |
| Phenylketonuria | Some medications may contain ingredients that are harmful to these patients. |
| Epilepsy or seizures (Seizures) | An imbalance of salts in the body can cause seizures. |
| Allergies to other medications, dyes, or preservatives | Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is essential to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | The doctor will determine whether the ingredients of the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this?
This is the most important part. To get the full benefits of the medicine, you need to use it exactly as prescribed .
1. Mixing: This medicine comes in a powder form. You need to mix it with the exact amount of water specified on the package you are given. Do not use any other liquid (such as milk, fruit drink) instead of water. Also, do not mix it with things like flour, cornflakes, etc.
2. Timing: Your doctor or his team will tell you when to start taking the medicine. Start at that time. This is usually given in two doses. One in the evening before the test, and the other in the morning of the test. But follow the instructions given to you.
3. Diet: You will need to follow a special diet on the day you take this medicine. This usually means stopping eating solid foods and drinking only clear liquids such as water, light soups, tea, and coffee (without milk). Do not eat anything for at least an hour before you start taking the medicine. You can drink clear liquids up to two hours before your colonoscopy. Ask your doctor about this.
4. What to expect: You will have your first bowel movement about an hour after drinking the liquid. After that, you will start to have more liquid bowel movements. This is to be expected. This will continue until your bowels are completely clean.
A little tip: The taste of this liquid may be unpleasant for some people. Therefore, it may be easier to drink if you keep the mixed liquid in the fridge and let it cool a bit before drinking. But do not keep it in the freezer.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
If you were unable to take the full dose of medication as prescribed, call your doctor immediately and tell them, as the test may not be able to be performed if your bowels are not properly cleansed.
What if you drink too much?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital immediately. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other medications that should not be used with this medicine
This is also very important. Do not take any other oral medications for an hour before you start taking this stomach cleansing medicine. Because the intestines empty quickly, the body does not have time to properly absorb the other medications you take. If you have other medications that you take daily (for blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease), talk to your doctor about the times you need to take them and plan in advance.
The medications below can cause problems with this stomach cleansing medicine.
- Some medications for blood pressure, heart disease, and heart rhythm disorders
- Some medications for kidney disease
- Anticonvulsant medications (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
- Diuretics
- Other laxatives
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) - e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen
This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies) .
Side effects to watch out for
Like any medicine, this one can have some side effects. Most of them are normal, but there are some things we need to be aware of.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Kidney damage | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Seizures | A sudden seizure. |
| Severe stomach ache | Sudden or severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting. |
| Side effects that are usually not dangerous (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Filling the stomach | Feeling stomach discomfort while taking the medicine. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Some people may experience nausea and vomiting. This can be controlled by drinking fluids slowly. |
| Stomach cramping | You may experience some stomach cramps before going to the toilet. |
| Rectal pain/inflammation | Frequent urination can cause some irritation and pain in the skin around the anus. |
Medicine storage and disposal
- Storage: Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. After dissolving the powder in water, store it in the refrigerator. This will improve the taste a bit. However, any remaining amount should be discarded after 24 hours of mixing.
- Disposal: Do not release unused, expired medications into the environment. Ask your doctor about safe methods for disposing of them. Typically, you can pour the liquid into a sink, mix it with something like used tea leaves or coffee grounds, put it in a bag, seal it, and throw it in the trash. Never flush it down the toilet.
This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to anyone else for any reason.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is used to completely cleanse your intestines before a medical test, such as a colonoscopy.
- Follow the instructions given to you exactly . Timing, diet, and how to mix the medicine are all very important.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you take and any medical conditions you have.
- It is normal to have a lot of liquid stools after taking the medicine, so don't worry. However, if you experience anything unusual, such as severe stomach pain or a change in your heart rate , seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this process, talk to your doctor about it openly.
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