We understand how difficult it can be to get ready for a colonoscopy. Use the information given below to make your colonoscopy prep as easy and straightforward as possible. Please follow all of the directions carefully and call us with any questions.

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2 DAY COLONOSCOPY PREPARATION: MAG CITRATE AND SUPREP
PLEASE PURCHASE
  • SUPREP Kit (by prescription)
  • Magnesium Citrate 10 oz bottle (over the counter)
  • Dulcolax (bisacodyl) 5 mg pills x 3 (over the counter)
7 DAYS BEFORE
  • Stop fiber supplements and iron supplements, including multivitamins
4 DAYS BEFOREBegin a LOW FIBER Diet including:

  • White or sour dough bread
  • White Rice, Pasta
  • Eggs, Chicken, Turkey, Fish
  • Cheese, Yogurt, Milk, Ice Cream, Pudding
  • Canned or cooked fruit/vegetables without skin or peel (carrots, cucumbers, potatoes)
  • Pureed fruits/vegetables (smoothies, strained puree soups)
  • Creamy peanut or almond butter
High Fiber Foods to AVOID:

  • Raw fruits/vegetables with seeds, skin, membranes
  • Cooked/canned fruit/vegetables with skin/seeds/peel
  • Whole wheat or multigrain bread or crackers
  • Nuts, Seeds
  • Popcorn
  • Oatmeal, bran cereal
  • Brown rice, quinoa
3 DAYS BEFORE
  • Continue LOW FIBER Diet
  • Avoid solid foods after midnight
2 DAYS BEFORE
  • Begin FULL LIQUID Diet:
    • Smoothies
    • Pureed soups
    • Milk and milk products (yogurt without fruit, pudding, ice cream, sherbet)
    • Clear liquids (see list under “1 day before”)
  • 6PM: Take Dulcolax 3 tablets with sips of water
  • 7PM: Take Magnesium Citrate
    • Drink the 10 oz bottle of magnesium citrate
    • Next drink at least three 8 oz glasses of water or other clear liquid
    • Drink ALL of this liquid within an hour
1 DAY BEFORE
  • MORNING: Start a CLEAR LIQUID Diet
    • Water
    • Apple, White Grape, White Cranberry Juices without Pulp
    • Clear Soup/Broth
    • Tea or Black coffee (no milk/creamer)
    • Gatorade/Powerade (no red, purple or orange color)
    • Jello (no red, purple, or orange color)
    • Popsicles (no red, purple, or orange color)
  • 6PM: Take SUPREP Dose 1
    • Pour one bottle of SUPREP liquid into the mixing container
    • Add cold drinking water to the 16-ounce container and mix
    • Drink ALL the liquid in the container
    • You MUST drink two more 16-ounce containers of water over the next hour
  • Bowel movements should begin 1-2 hours after starting SUPREP but effect can sometimes be delayed by up to 4-6 hours
DAY OF COLONOSCOPY
5 HOURS BEFORE
  • Take SUPREP Dose 2
    • Follow the same instructions as outlined for Dose 1
  • By the end of the cleanse your stool should be a clear liquid with yellow or green tinge
3 HOURS BEFORE
  • Stop drinking/eating clear liquids
  • Do not chew gum or mints
  • Take regular medications with a small sip of water the morning of your procedure unless otherwise instructed by your physician
30 MIN BEFORE
  • Arrive at endoscopy suite 30 MIN PRE PROCEDURE (no later!)
  • Bring list of current medications including doses
  • Bring a Photo ID and Insurance Card
  • Bring any applicable Referrals
  • Please do not bring any valuables
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
URINE PREGNANCY TESTING
  • If you are a premenopausal woman, you will need to submit a urine sample upon office check in
IF YOU HAVE DIABETES
  • Contact your primary care doctor or endocrinologist for instructions regarding your medications
IF YOU TAKE MEDICATION TO THIN YOUR BLOOD
  • Contact your gastroenterologist for further instructions at (212) 427-8761
  • Medications include but are not limited to:
    • Heparin, Lovenox, Warfarin (Coumadin), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), Apixaban (Eliquis), Edoxaban (Lixiana, Savaysa), Betrixaban (Bevyxxa), Clopidigrel (Plavix), Prasugrel (Effient), Brilinta (Ticagrelor)
IF YOU TAKE WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS
  • Alert your GI provider to discuss holding your medication(s) prior to your procedure
IF YOU TAKE ASPIRIN OR BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS
  • Continue to take these medications
ESCORT
  • Please ensure that you have an escort (responsible adult over the age of 18) to pick you up at the end of the procedure
Updated on Dec 13, 2023 by Dr. Shawn Khodadadian (Gastroenterologist) of Manhattan Gastroenterology