Colonoscopy Preparation
Everything organized by topic. Each section shows you exactly when to act.
+ shop
+ more med stops
+ first prep dose
+ procedure
resume meds
No diet changes yet. Use this time to shop for clear liquids and prep supplies.
Eat soft, low-fiber foods. Avoid anything that leaves residue in your colon.
✓ OK to Eat
- White bread, white rice, pasta
- Eggs (any style)
- Chicken, fish, turkey, tofu
- Bananas, applesauce, canned fruit
- Well-cooked carrots, green beans
- Peeled potatoes
- Smooth peanut butter, yogurt
✗ Do NOT Eat
- Nuts, seeds, popcorn
- Raw vegetables, salads, corn
- Beans, lentils
- Berries, dried fruit
- Whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal
- Tough/fatty meat, bacon
- Granola, high-fiber cereal
If you can see through it, you can probably have it.
✓ Clear Liquids
- Water (unlimited)
- Apple juice, white grape juice
- Gatorade — yellow/green/clear
- Clear broth
- Black coffee or tea (no milk)
- Jell-O (yellow/green)
- Sprite, ginger ale
- Hard candy, honey
✗ NOT Clear
- Anything red/purple/blue/orange
- Milk, cream, creamers
- Orange juice, tomato juice
- Smoothies, protein shakes
- Alcohol
- Juice with pulp
- Soup with chunks
Nothing by mouth — including water — starting 2–4 hours before your procedure. Exception: essential morning meds with a tiny sip of water.
Start with crackers, toast, soup, bananas. Most patients return to a normal diet by dinner. Drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate.
| Medication | Why |
|---|---|
| Iron supplements | Darkens stool and coats colon wall, hiding polyps |
| Fiber supplements (Metamucil, Benefiber, Citrucel) | Creates residue that is hard to clear |
| Fish oil, Vitamin E | Increases bleeding risk with polypectomy |
| Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity (weekly GLP-1s) | Slows gastric emptying → aspiration risk under sedation |
| Medication | Why |
|---|---|
| Ibuprofen (Advil), Naproxen (Aleve) | Increases bleeding risk. Tylenol is OK. |
| Jardiance, Farxiga, Invokana (SGLT2 inhibitors) | Risk of euglycemic DKA during fasting + dehydration |
| Victoza, Adlyxin (daily GLP-1s) | Slows gastric emptying — hold 1 day before |
Blood pressure meds, heart meds, thyroid medication, seizure medications, antidepressants, asthma inhalers. Do NOT take diabetes medications.
Metformin and most diabetes meds can restart once you're eating. Blood thinners: resume per your doctor's specific instructions (usually same evening or next day). Iron and supplements: restart the next day.
MiraLAX + Gatorade — Evening Dose
- Mix entire 238g MiraLAX bottle into 64 oz Gatorade. Should already be cold.
- 5:00 PM: Take 4 Dulcolax tablets with water.
- 6:00 PM: Drink 32 oz (half) — 8 oz glass every 10–15 min.
- Bowel movements begin in 30–60 minutes.
SUPREP — Evening Dose
- Pour one 6-oz bottle into mixing container. Add water to the 16-oz line.
- Drink all 16 oz.
- Then drink two additional 16-oz glasses of water over the next hour.
CLENPIQ — Evening Dose
- 5:00 PM: Drink one entire 5.4-oz bottle.
- Then drink at least 40 oz of clear liquids over the next 5 hours.
GoLYTELY — Evening Dose
- Fill jug with lukewarm water to the fill line. Shake. Should already be cold.
- 6:00 PM: Drink 2 liters (half) — 8 oz every 10–15 min over ~90 min.
SUTAB — Evening Dose
- Open Bottle 1 (12 tablets). Remove and discard the desiccant packet.
- Fill container with 16 oz water. Swallow one tablet every 1–2 min with sips.
- Then drink two more 16-oz containers of water, 30 min each.
Start 5–6 hours before your arrival time. Finish at least 2 hours before.
MiraLAX + Gatorade — Morning Dose
- Drink remaining 32 oz — 8 oz every 10–15 min.
- Finish at least 2 hours before your procedure.
SUPREP — Morning Dose
- Repeat with second 6-oz bottle. Mix to 16 oz, drink, then two more 16-oz waters.
CLENPIQ — Morning Dose
- Drink the second 5.4-oz bottle.
- Follow with at least 24 oz of clear liquids within 1 hour.
GoLYTELY — Morning Dose
- Drink remaining 2 liters — 8 oz every 10–15 min.
SUTAB — Morning Dose
- Open Bottle 2. Discard desiccant.
- Same process: one tablet every 1–2 min, then three 16-oz waters.
Not Ready
Almost
Ready
✓ Perfect
If still cloudy, keep drinking clear liquids. Don't cancel — call your doctor.
What to Bring
Leave jewelry and contact lenses at home. Your companion must be at the facility — procedure cancelled without one.
What to Expect
Normal After a Colonoscopy
Gas, bloating, and mild cramping (air was used to inflate the colon). Grogginess for the rest of the day. Small rectal bleeding for 1–2 days if polyps were removed.
For 24 Hours — Do NOT
Drive or operate machinery. Drink alcohol. Sign legal or financial documents (sedation impairs judgment).
• Severe or worsening abdominal pain (not mild gas)
• Large rectal bleeding (more than a few tablespoons)
• Fever above 100.4°F / 38°C or chills
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Black, tarry stools
• Dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or difficulty breathing
Results
No polyps → results final, next colonoscopy in ~10 years. Polyps removed → lab results in 1–3 weeks; your doctor's office will call. Follow-up interval depends on findings (1–3 years if advanced, 5–7 if low-risk, 10 if normal).
That's everything.
The prep is the hard part. Colonoscopy prevents up to 68% of colorectal cancer deaths. You're doing something important.