Preparing for Colonoscopy

Preparing the bowel for colonoscopy

In order for us to get the best possible view and make the colonoscopy easier, your large bowel needs to be cleaned out of all waste material.

You will be given a preparation kit which contains full instructions. Links are provided below to our bowel preparation regimens.

Usually this involves a special diet for a day or two, consisting of no solid food, lots of clear fluids and laxatives the day before and day of the procedure.

You need to have nothing to eat or drink for three to four hours before the procedure is done. However, you may have a sip of water with your regular medications. Take your regular medications on the day of the test.

Special considerations

  • Iron tablets should be stopped a week before the test
  • Aspirin can be continued
  • If you have diabetes or have heart valve disease or have a pacemaker implanted or are taking blood thinning tablets such as Warfarin or Clopidogrel it is important to discuss this with your doctor before the colonoscopy is organised, as special arrangements may be necessary