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.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
You may have similar questions, let's see the answers.
Can I drink water in addition to SUTAB?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, in addition to the water you drink with your medication, you should drink at least 12 8-10 ounce glasses of clear liquids a day to stay well hydrated. But remember, you should stop drinking all liquids three hours before your colonoscopy.
How long does it take for stool to pass after taking SUTAB (SUTAB) pills?
It varies from person to person. However, for most people, taking SUTAB tablets on time will stop the diarrhea enough to allow them to get some sleep at night. You may be worried about having to go to the toilet on the way from home to the hospital. However, if you follow the instructions exactly, there should be very little left in your intestines when you start your journey.
What should I do if I have constipation?
You can also take laxatives (` laxatives` ) in the days before the colon cleanse. Then, by the time the colon cleanse is complete, constipation should have subsided. Ask your doctor about this as well.
What if my bowels weren't properly cleansed last time?
Be sure to see your doctor, as you may need additional advice on how to cleanse your colon.
What if I have bowel motility problems due to a medical condition?
Some medical conditions and medications can slow bowel emptying or cause constipation. For example, people with conditions like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or those who use a wheelchair can have slow bowel movements. Narcotics, gabapentin, and anticholinergic medications can also affect this. Talk to your doctor about your medical history and any medications you are currently taking. 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 colon cleanse two to three hours in advance. That way you'll have more time to complete all the preparations.
What if I can't finish the colon cleanse completely?
Oh, and if that happens, if you can't completely cleanse your colon, you'll probably have to postpone your colonoscopy because your colon isn't completely cleansed. So try your best.
If I have had bariatric surgery, do I also need to do this full preparation?
Yes. Gastric bypass surgery involves your stomach and small intestine. It does not change the length of your colon. You may need to drink water slowly and in small amounts. However, you will still have to go through the entire colon cleansing process, which may take a little longer.
What if I am on dialysis?
Please consult your nephrologist and get specific advice before scheduling your test. Typically, dialysis patients take the colon cleanser Golytely® and have the test 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?
Simple. If you put it in a glass and can see through the glass, it is considered a 'clear liquid'.
Can I use Uber®, Lyft®, a taxi, or a bus to get home?
You must have an adult with you when you enter the colonoscopy. This person must stay in the endoscopy unit until you are discharged from the hospital. You can only take a taxi home if this adult companion stays with you from the time you enter the colonoscopy unit until you are discharged from the hospital, and then returns home in the same taxi.
Can't I just sleep here for a while and then drive myself?
No, you can't. You must have a responsible adult with you when you come in. That person must be at the endoscopy center during the test and drive you home afterward. You can't drive that day.
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)
💬 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.
` Colonoscopy, Colon Cleansing, SUTAB, Stomach Cleansing, Preparation, Pills, Medical Advice, Health, Digestive System
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