Review these GoLYTELY preparation instructions before your colonoscopy. Following them carefully helps ensure a successful procedure and accurate results.

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COLONOSCOPY PREP WITH GOLYTELY
PLEASE PURCHASE
  • Golytely Kit (by prescription)
7 DAYS BEFORE
  • Stop fiber supplements and iron supplements, including multivitamins
3 DAYS BEFORE Begin 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
2 DAYS BEFORE
  • Continue LOW FIBER Diet
  • Avoid solid foods after midnight
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)
  • MORNING: Prepare Golytely
    • Fill container to “fill” line with water and mix until dissolved
    • Place in refrigerator to chill
    • Solution must be consumed within 24 hours of preparation
  • 7PM: Drink half of the Golytely solution over the next hour and a half
    • Drink 1 cup (8oz) every 10 minutes for a total of 8 cups (64oz)
    • Half of the solution should remain in the container
    • Place the remaining solution in the refrigerator to chill
    • Bowel movements should begin 1-2 hours after starting the cleanse but the effect can be delayed by up to 4-6 hours
DAY OF COLONOSCOPY
6 HOURS BEFORE
  • Drink the second half of the Golytely solution over the next hour and a half
    • Drink 1 cup (8oz) every 10 minutes for a total of 8 cups (64oz)
  • 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
  • You may 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 Oct 13, 2026 by Manhattan Gastroenterology