Colonoscopy Preparation

View/Print the Colonoscopy PegLyte Preparation Instructions (Procedures Before 11 AM)

View/Print the Colonoscopy PegLyte Preparation Instructions (Procedures At or After 11 AM)

Purchase one PegLyte® bowel preparation kit from your local pharmacy and one package of DULCOLAX. It’s available over the counter. You do not need a prescription. Please inform us on arrival if you were unable to take the full prep or if your bowels are not cleaned out.

Remember You Must Have A Responsible Adult With You To Drive You Home Or Accompany You In A Taxi After The Procedure. If You Do Not, Your Procedure Will Be Canceled. They Must Come In To The Clinic To Get You.

Dietary Restrictions:

  • Five days before your procedure: STOP eating any foods containing nuts or seeds as they can damage the scopes.
  • The day before the procedure: DO NOT eat any solid foods the day before your exam. Drink clear fluids only. Drink at least one glass of clear liquids every hour on the day of the preparation. No Alcohol. Examples of clear liquids include water, jello without cream or fruit, apple juice, white grape juice, white cranberry juice, Gatorade® or Powerade®, Gastrolyte®, soda water, clear soup, tea and coffee (sugar is allowed but NO cream OR milk). NO RED or PURPLE DRINKS.
  • The Day Of Your Procedure: Do Not Eat Anything. Continue Drinking Water (No Other Liquid Is Acceptable) Until Three (3) Hours Before Your Procedure. If You Are Also Having A Gastroscopy, Do Not Drink Anything Within 3 Hours Of Your Procedure.
  • STOP ALL LIQUIDS 3 HOURS BEFORE YOUR TEST. You must have a completely empty stomach prior to your test as even small amounts of food/liquid may result in delay or cancellation and increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia that could result in death.

Medication:

  • STOP Aspirin (ASA 81mg, Entrophen, ASA), and Iron tablets one (1) week before your procedure
  • STOP Coumadin (Warfarin), Pradaxa (Dabigatran Etexilate Mesylate) before the procedure five (5) days before your procedure
  • STOP Ticlopidine (Ticlid), Clopidogrel (Plavix), Xarelto (Rivaroxaban), Eliquis (Apixabon) or Aggrenox three (3) days prior to procedure
  • CONTINUE taking blood pressure medications as normal even on the day of your procedure, with a small sip of water. Do not drink any more than a small sip. It is important that your blood pressure remains under control.
  • DO NOT consume any cannabis-related products for 48 hours of your procedure

Information for Diabetics:

  • On the day of the bowel preparation: Take ONE-HALF (1/2) of the usual dose of oral hypoglycemic medications. If you use Insulin, take ONE-HALF (1/2) of the usual dose of insulin. If you use ozempic, stop 1 week prior to procedure. If you use rybelsius, do not take dose on the day of the procedure.
  • On the day of the procedure: do not take your morning diabetic medications until after the colonoscopy.

Dulcolax Instructions:

  • Take three tablets the day before your test at 3pm. This medication only softens the stool.
  • Patients with appointments BEFORE 11 AM:
    • At 5pm: Drink 2 litres (half) of the PegLyte® preparation. You must consume one cup (250mL) of preparation every 15 minutes over the following 2 hours. Refrigerate remainder. Continue to drink clear fluids (250 ml per waking hour)..
    • At 11pm: Drink 2 litres (half) of the PegLyte® preparation. You must consume one cup (250mL) of preparation every 15 minutes over the following 2 hours.
    • Refrigerate remainder. Continue to drink clear fluids (250 ml per waking hour).
  • Patients with appointments AT OR AFTER 11 AM:
    • At 10pm: Drink 2 litres (half) of the PegLyte® preparation. You must consume one cup (250mL) of preparation every 15 minutes over the following 2 hours. Refrigerate remainder. Continue to drink clear fluids.
    • 5 hours before your test: Drink 2 litres (half) of the PegLyte® preparation. You must consume one cup (250mL) of preparation every 15 minutes over the following 2 hours. Refrigerate remainder. You may drink water only until 3 hours prior to your test. You must stop all liquids 3 hours prior to test.