Preparing for a colonoscopy
The few days before a colonoscopy are extremely important to ensure that the colon is clear of all waste. Here
are a few tips that could help you in the few days before a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy preparation tips
Talk to your doctor.
Discuss the different colonoscopy prep options, and choose one that is most likely to provide you with a safe,
effective, and tolerable prep.
Watch what you eat.
Most healthcare providers will recommend a specific diet to be followed for the prep to be more effective.
Follow your physician’s recommendations about what you can and cannot eat before a colonoscopy.
Complete the prep.
A clean colon results in the most effective
colonoscopy, and your prep is more likely to be thorough if
you complete the entire regimen. Be sure to read all prep instructions, follow the recommendations for a
precolonoscopy diet, and complete each step when instructed.
Stay near a restroom.
While it’s not the most pleasant thought, understand that after you take your prep, you will experience a
significant amount of "bathroom time." The prep is meant to give you diarrhea, the action that cleanses
the colon. It’s also a sign that your prep is working. Many who have undergone bowel cleansing recommend the
use of ointments and wet wipes to greatly reduce the effects of significant amounts of bathroom time.
Follow your physician’s instructions.
Your physician will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your colonoscopy—follow
them exactly.
Stay hydrated.
Drink at least the amount of fluid required by the prep—
hydration
before, during, and after the prep and colonoscopy procedure is very important. Colonoscopy preps cause the body
to lose a significant amount of fluid. It’s important that you prepare the body by drinking before the prep, stay
hydrated by drinking during the prep, and replenish your system by drinking after the prep. If your body does
not have the necessary amount of liquids you can get very sick. So make an effort to drink extra liquid for a
few days before your procedure, and this will leave your body in good shape to avoid dehydration.
Schedule someone to drive you home.
Because of the sedatives used during the colonoscopy, you will not be allowed to drive and should find
someone to transport you home.
Pass on the word.
Now that you’ve learned the value of getting screened for colon cancer, tell those you know about the
importance of getting screened. It could save a life.
Why do you need a bowel prep?
Learn about the colonoscopy prep that’s a pill, not a liquid.
How can you prevent colon cancer?
What is a colonoscopy?
Important Safety Information about OsmoPrep
WARNINGS
There have been rare, but serious reports of acute phosphate nephropathy in patients who received oral sodium phosphate products for colon cleansing prior
to colonoscopy. Some cases have resulted in permanent impairment of renal function and some patients required long–term dialysis. While some
cases have occurred in patients without identifiable risk factors, patients at increased risk of acute phosphate nephropathy may include those with
increased age, hypovolemia, increased bowel transit time (such as bowel obstruction), active colitis, or baseline kidney disease, and those using
medicines that affect renal perfusion or function (such as diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers
[ARBs], and possibly nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]).
It is important to use the dose and dosing regimen as recommended (PM/AM split dose).
Please see full Prescribing Information for OsmoPrep, including BOXED WARNING.
OsmoPrep® (sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, USP, and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, USP) Tablets are indicated for cleansing
of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. Considerable caution should be advised before OsmoPrep is used in
patients with severe renal insufficiency, congestive heart failure, ascites, unstable angina, gastric retention, ileus, severe chronic constipation,
bowel perforation, toxic megacolon, gastric bypass or stapling surgery, or hypomotility syndrome. Use with caution in patients with impaired renal
function, patients with a history of seizures or at higher risk of seizure, patients with higher risk of cardiac arrhythmias, known or suspected electrolyte
disturbances (such as dehydration), or people taking drugs that affect electrolyte levels. Patients with electrolyte abnormalities such as
hypernatremia, hyperphosphatemia, hypokalemia, or hypocalcemia should have their electrolytes corrected before treatment with OsmoPrep.
OsmoPrep is contraindicated in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to sodium phosphate salts or any of its ingredients, and in patients with
biopsy–proven acute phosphate nephropathy. In clinical trials, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (reporting frequency >3%) were
abdominal bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. It is recommended that patients receiving OsmoPrep be advised to adequately hydrate before,
during, and after the use of OsmoPrep.