Preparing for your colonoscopy (MiraLAX)
- Arrange for transportation to and from your procedure. You will not be allowed to drive or walk yourself home.
- Be sure to take all medication and solution as instructed.
- It is important to drink extra clear liquids before beginning your prep, as well as after your procedure to avoid dehydration.
Purchase from a pharmacy
- 4 Dulcolax (bisacodyl) 5mg tablets
- One bottle (238-gram) of MiraLAX® (polyethylene glycol 3350)
- 64 ounces of any clear liquid of your choice (no red or purple)
One week prior to your procedure (special medication instructions)
- Stop iron and fish oil supplements. Multivitamins that contain iron are okay to continue.
- Diabetic medications should be managed by your primary care provider. This includes oral medications as well as insulin.
- Contact your provider if you are taking blood-thinning medications such as:
- Coumadin (warfarin)
- Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
- Eliquis (apixaban)
- Plavix (clopidogrel)
- Lovenox (enoxaparin)
- Pradaxa (dabigatran)
- Heparin
- Your family physician or cardiologist will provide guidance about when and if you can discontinue these medications prior to your procedure.
Two days prior to procedure
- Mix the 238-gram bottle of MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350) in 64 ounces of clear liquid.
- Shake the solution until the MiraLAX is dissolved and refrigerate.
- This is recommended, but can mix day of prep.
One day prior to procedure
- Drink clear liquids* only today, no solid foods.
See list of clear liquids below. - Remain close to toilet facilities once you start the prep.
- At 3pm, take 2 Dulcolax (bisacodyl) 5mg tablets with 8 ounces of clear liquids.
- Beginning at 5pm, drink 64 ounces of the MiraLAX in your clear liquid solution.
- Drink 8 ounces of the solution every 15 minutes until you have consumed all 64 ounces.
- After completing the solution, take 2 Dulcolax (bisacodyl) 5mg tablets with 8 ounces
of clear liquids.
- Be sure to stay well-hydrated. Drink extra clear liquids, but none after midnight.
- NOTHING TO DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT (Remember, no food all day today.)
- Note: Your prep results should be yellow/green/watery without any solid stool or brown in the toilet when you have a bowel movement.
- Not having a clear prep prior to your procedure may result in needing an enema the
day of your procedure or possible cancellation.
- Not having a clear prep prior to your procedure may result in needing an enema the
Day of procedure
- Continue with nothing to eat or drink today until after your procedure.
- You may take the following medications in the morning with a small sip of water:
- blood pressure
- seizure
- anti-anxiety
- thyroid medications
*Clear liquid diet
When on a clear liquid diet, avoid the following:
- Any liquid that is either red or purple
- Any alcohol
You may drink or eat any of the following:
- Water
- Tea
- Plain coffee (no cream)
- Clear juices such as apple or white grape
- Lemonade from a powdered mix
- Fruit-flavored drinks such as Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, etc. (no red or purple)
- Sports drinks such as Gatorade, All-Sport, Powerade, etc. (no red or purple)
- Carbonated beverages or soda
- Fat free broth, bouillon, consommé
- Plain or flavored gelatins (avoid red and purple)
- Fruit ices or Italian ices
- Sorbet
- Popsicles
- Clear liquid nutritional supplements
- Honey
- Sugar
- Hard candy (not red or purple)
A nurse will call you 1 to 2 days prior to your appointment with your arrival time.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact scheduling in the Welia Health Surgery department at 320.225.3416.