Miralax / Dulcolax Colonoscopy Prep

1.  Complete your health history. Be sure your check your email (and spam folders) for a message with a link to our online patient portal. Follow the instructions in this email to complete your patient health history. This step is essential in order for us to ensure excellent care. If you do not have access to the internet, a nurse will be calling you to go over your health history. Please have the following ready: a list of current medications, your surgical history and family history.

2.  Pick up prep at Gem State Endoscopy at least 7 days prior to your procedure (see hours and address above).

**There will be a $30.00 charge for your prep**   

3.  If you have a new medical diagnosis or become ill between now and your scheduled procedure, please call us so we can evaluate a possible need to reschedule. 

4.  If you start antibiotics and will be on them at time of procedure please call to reschedule your appointment. Your procedure will not be able to be performed if you are taking an antibiotic.

1. Start Miralax or the generic Polyethylene Glycol 3350
   1. Take 1 dose twice a day for 5 days, then stop on the day your prep begin
2. Please start a low residue diet.

1. You may have a low residue breakfast and lunch.
2. At 1:00 PM, start a CLEAR LIQUID DIET. Remain on clear liquids until 2 hours before your procedure.
   1. Do not eat solid foods or dairy products.
   2. Avoid red, orange, and purple-colored liquids which can mimic blood.
   3. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your procedure.
   4. Diabetic patients:
      1. If taking oral medications, stop your oral diabetic medications when you change your diet to clear liquids
      2. If taking insulin:
         1. If on long-acting insulin, cut your long-acting insulin in half when changing your diet to clear liquids
         2. If on short-acting insult, use a sliding scale when changing your diet to clear liquids
         3. If using an insulin pump, manage as usual
3. At 2:00 pm take 2 Dulcolax (bisacodyl) tablets (5mg each)
4. At 4:00 pm take 2 Dulcolax (bisacodyl) tablets (5mg each)
5. At 5:00 pm mix 2 packets of Gatorade or Propel and 10 doses of the Miralax in the pitcher, fill with water and drink. Try to drink 8oz every 10-15 minutes. After finished repeat the mixture of 2 packets of Gatorade or Propel and 10 doses of Miralax in pitcher with water and drink. You will drink 20 doses Miralax and approximately 60oz of the Gatorade/Propel water total. (Save 10 doses of Miralax and 2 packets of Gatorade or Propel for the morning.)
6. Continue to drink plenty of fluids including juice, broth, and sports drinks with potassium and other electrolytes to avoid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
7. At bedtime take 2 Dulcolax (bisacodyl) tablets (5mg each)

After completing the colon prep:

1. The effluent (material) from the rectum should be clear or light yellow
2. You should be able to read a newspaper through an inch of the liquid.

If the above characteristics do not describe what you see, you may need additional prep.
Call 208-743-4373 ASAP.

If it is over the weekend and the office is closed, please go the store and purchase over the counter 8.3 oz of Miralax and 56oz. Gatorade/Powerade. Drink until the material matches the description above.