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This is how you use SUTAB for your colonoscopy! Let's find out for sure, shall we?

Hello! If you have a colonoscopy coming up, you probably know how important it is to thoroughly cleanse your colon. Sometimes this can seem like a bit of...

This is how you use SUTAB for your colonoscopy! Let's find out for sure, shall we?

Hello! If you have a colonoscopy coming up, you probably know how important it is to thoroughly cleanse your colon. Sometimes this can seem like a bit of a hassle, but don't worry. Today, we'll talk about how to prepare for it using a medicine called SUTAB.

What is SUTAB (SUTAB)?

Simply put, SUTAB is a medicine that is given to completely cleanse your large intestine, or colon, before a colonoscopy. It contains sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride. SUTAB draws water into your intestines and helps your stool pass through more quickly. This allows the doctor to see clearly.

Why is colon cleansing so important?

Imagine, it's like driving down a sunny day and having the doctor look inside your colon after cleaning it. But if your colon isn't clean, it's like driving down a muddy road on a rainy day. You can't see anything clearly. So, to accurately determine whether you have polyps or cancer in your colon, your colon needs to be very clean.

If you don't do this correctly, you may need to postpone or repeat your colonoscopy. So it's very important to follow these instructions exactly.

How to use SUTAB (SUTAB)?

SUTAB comes in a boxed kit. It contains two bottles of medicine and a cup for drinking water. Each bottle contains 12 tablets. The night before your test, you should take all 12 tablets (one bottle) with water from the cup provided. Then, drink two more cups of water that night. Each time, fill the cup to the line indicated on the cup. Then, six hours before your test, you should repeat these three steps. Follow the instructions exactly. If you don't, your doctor may have to postpone or repeat your colonoscopy .

The most important preparation tips

These tips are very important for a successful colonoscopy:

  • Your bowels need to be empty so that the doctor can see clearly. Follow your gastroenterologist 's instructions carefully.
  • Do not eat any solid foods the entire day before your colonoscopy. Only clear liquids may be drunk.
  • Pick up your prep kit from the pharmacy at least five days before your colonoscopy.

Be careful about traffic on test day.

This is a very important thing, remember it well.

  • Before you enter the colonoscopy, you must have someone with you who can drive responsibly.
  • That person should stay until you are discharged from the hospital.
  • You should also have someone take you home after the test.
  • You cannot drive that day or leave the hospital alone. Do not ride a bicycle, car, or scooter.

Be careful about the medication you take.

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

Medications that may need to be stopped or changed:

  • Blood thinners : Examples include clopidogrel (Plavix®), warfarin (Coumadin®), ticlopidine hydrochloride (Ticlid®), anagrelide (Agrylin®), rivaroxaban (Xarelto®), dabigatran (Pradaxa®), apixaban (Eliquis®), and prasugrel (Effient®). Talk to your doctor about these medications at least two weeks before your test.
  • Insulin and diabetes medication: Be sure to ask your doctor about how to adjust your dosage in the days before your colonoscopy. On the day of your test, do not take your diabetes medication after midnight. If you take insulin, such as insulin glargine injection (Lantus®), insulin lispro (Humalog®), long-acting insulin such as insulin isophane (Humulin N®, NovolinN®, ReliOn®), or 70/30 insulin, take half your usual dose the day before your test.
  • Weight management medication: If you are taking weight management medication, you may need to adjust the dosage or stop taking it for a few days or a week. Ask your doctor for more advice. Medications that may need to be stopped 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 , and diuretics can be taken with a sip of water the day of the test. However, if you are unsure about which medications you can continue to take, be sure to ask your doctor.

Three days before the colonoscopy

Stop eating these high-fiber foods three days before your colonoscopy:

  • Popcorn
  • Beans
  • Nuts (e.g. flax seeds , sunflower seeds, quinoa)
  • Multigrain bread
  • Types of Nuts
  • Salad/ vegetables
  • Fresh and dried fruit

The day before the 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.

Now let's see what you can and can't drink:

  • Things to drink: Water, light-colored fruit juices (e.g., apple, white grape, without pulp), clear soup/broth, jelly (without pieces, red, or purple), tea, coffee (without milk or cream), clear sports drinks.
  • Things you can't drink: Milk and dairy products, fruit juices with pulp (fat), alcohol, red or purple liquids (as these can change the color of the bowel).

The exact way to drink SUTAB (SUTAB)

Read all of these instructions carefully before making the medicine. You will need to do this preparation in two parts, each part has three steps.

First dose: Around 6pm the day before the colonoscopy

  • Step 1: Fill the cup provided with 16 ounces of cool water (to the level of the line on the cup). Open the first pill bottle. Swallow each pill with a sip of water. Then drink all the remaining water.
  • Step 2: Then, around 9pm the night before , fill the cup with another 16 ounces of water and drink it within 30 minutes.
  • Step 3: After completing Step 2, drink another cup of water (the third one).

Second dose: six hours before colonoscopy

  • Step 4: Take the second pill bottle and repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 above.

If there are special occasions...

Some people have slow bowel movements. If that's the case for you, you may need different advice. If you have any of these conditions, please see a doctor and get advice on a colon cleanse that's right for you:

  • Medical conditions that need special accommodations.
  • If the bowel prep was not done properly the previous time, or if it was unsuccessful (Had poor bowel prep results or a failed bowel prep in the past).
  • Had difficulty with anesthesia during a past procedure.

Finally, a few things to remember

Cleaning your colon is a very important part of your colonoscopy. Follow your gastroenterologist's instructions exactly. When your colon is clear, your doctor can more easily find polyps and other abnormalities.

Before you start using the SUTAB Colon Cleansing Kit, ask your medical team any questions you may have. Don't worry, everything will be fine once you do this properly! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

👩🏽‍⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

💬 Why is Sutab given before a colonoscopy?

Sutab is a pill that is given to ensure that the colon is completely emptied before a colonoscopy. When taken, it clears the bowel and all the stool inside, making the bowel visible for examination.

💬 How long does it take to pass stool after taking this medicine?

Usually, you will start to have a bowel movement (in the form of liquid) within an hour or two of taking the first few pills. This will continue for several hours, so it is essential to stay near a bathroom throughout the entire time you are taking this medication.

💬 Can I eat while taking the medicine?

No! After starting this medicine, you are not allowed to eat any solid foods (rice, bread, vegetables). You can only drink pure water, orange juice, and liquid foods (strained soup water). Otherwise, the camera will not be able to see the inside of the intestine during the examination.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: The medical articles and information on the Nirogi Lanka website are for general informational purposes only, and are in no way a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult a doctor immediately for any medical problems you may have.

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