Consider These Prep Options for Your Colonoscopy

Getting a colonoscopy is an effective way to detect colorectal cancer and to prevent it by finding the precursors. When you get a colonoscopy, it’s a quick method of inspecting your bowels to find out whether there are any problems inside. To get a clear, accurate colonoscopy, the bowels have to be empty and clean. That’s where colonoscopy prep comes in. It’s a way to clean out your bowels and make sure the tissue can be clearly seen by the camera that will be inserted. When the area isn’t clean enough, the colonoscopy will likely need to be done again to see the area.

There are two main types of colonoscopy prep that patients can use. The one that you’ll use is likely to be determined by your doctor and your insurance coverage. There are over-the-counter remedies as well as prescription remedies. No matter which prep substance you take, it will be paired with a special diet that will also help to keep your colon clean. Any of the prep methods that you use will result in diarrhea, and that is the intended effect of it. The amount of diarrhea will be significant, and it’s recommended that you stay near a bathroom after taking the solution. The prep process will eventually create stools that are a yellow liquid.

You should have your prep method at least the day before your colonoscopy so that you can prepare your colon before you get there for your procedure. Usually, the colon prep is a drink that either comes mixed or must be mixed together. The prep is generally taken in two doses at different times before the procedure. One dose is generally taken the evening before, the procedure and the second dose is usually taken the morning of the procedure. Be sure to follow the diet guidelines as well as taking the prep method. 

Prescription Prep Methods

• GaviLyte, GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY

This is a prescription regimen that’s based on polyethylene glycol as well as electrolytes. This type doesn’t come with flavor packets. There are a full four liters that patients drink over the course of several hours. This can be difficult for many people who have a hard time drinking it as quickly as needed. However, both GoLYTELY and NuLYTELY are very effective at cleaning out the colon, though either could result in nausea. 

• Moviprep

This prep type is a mixture of electrolytes, polyethylene glycol, and ascorbic acid. It requires drinking two liters of the mixture. It’s also one that requires a liter to be drunk the night before the colonoscopy and the other one to be drunk the morning of it. This is often easier for many to drink because it comes with flavor packs in two varieties- lime and lemon. A citrusy taste can make it go down a bit easier.

• Suprep

This method uses two small bottles of a liquid solution. It includes magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and sodium sulfate as its active ingredients. Many people prefer this method because there is just one small bottle to take the evening before the procedure and another small bottle to take on the morning of the colonoscopy. This is significantly less liquid than with many of the prep choices. It’s also flavored with a sweet flavor that tastes like berries.

• CLENPIQ

This is a type that’s another liquid solution. It uses magnesium oxide, sodium picosulfate, and citric acid to cause the colon-cleaning effects. There are two doses of it to drink. One is taken the evening before, and the second one is taken the morning of the procedure. This solution comes in lemon flavor so that it’s easier to drink and tastes better.

• PLENVU

This is a regime on electrolytes and polyethylene glycol that requires drinking two liters of the solution. One liter is taken in the evening the night before and the other one is taken on the morning of the colonoscopy. There are two flavors of this prep type- black currant and orange. Many people find this type easier to take since it only requires two liters of liquid and is flavored.

• SUTAB

This is another tablet-based regimen that may be better for those who have a hard time drinking all of the solution required with liquid prep options. There are 24 pills required to be taken with this system, and those are broken into two doses. With each dose, patients take 12 of the tablets along with drinking a lot of water to prevent dehydration. These tablets are made with magnesium oxide as well as citric acid. Many people find this to be one of the easiest methods, as it doesn’t cause nausea or vomiting as often. Having fewer side effects can make the entire process much more pleasant.

• OsmoPrep

Instead of drinking a liquid mixture, this method requires patients to take a series of pills. These have sodium phosphate in them. However, there are a lot of pills to take over the course of the prep period. There are usually 32 pills to take over the course of several hours. Along with this, patients need to drink a lot to keep themselves from getting dehydrated. For people who have problems like congestive heart failure or kidney disease, this type of prep can’t be taken. The results of this type are the same as with the liquid mixtures- significant diarrhea.

• Visicol

With this prep method, a large number of tablets are taken to get the laxative effect. These tablets are made with sodium phosphate as their active ingredient. Usually, this regimen requires patients to take 40 tablets over the course of a number of hours. These have to be taken with a lot of water so that the patient doesn’t get dehydrated. People who have congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and certain other health problems shouldn’t take this prep method. However, many people prefer taking tablets to drinking so much of a liquid mixture. Patients who take this still have to drink a lot, though.

Prep Methods That Are Over the Counter

Over-the-counter prep methods are often recommended by doctors who find this to be an easier way for patients to get the prep they need before their colonoscopy. In these regimens, there is still a specific regimen to take, but the medication is available over the counter instead of by prescription. This makes the medication easy to find and less complicated to get. There are generally two options for an over-the-counter regimen- a liquid mixture and a series of pills.

• MiraLAX

With this prep method, all you have to do is to drink a solution of MiraLAX powder mixed with Gatorade. Your doctor will tell you how much of it to take and exactly when each dose should be taken. The solution uses polyethylene glycol as well as electrolytes. With this method, patients typically make and drink four liters of MiraLAX solution over a few hours. There are a number of flavors available. Be sure to take the amount of this solution that the doctor recommends, even if it causes stomach discomfort or nausea.

• DULCOLAX

This is a regimen that uses pills to clean out your colon. These pills have bisacodyl as their active ingredient. This substance stimulates the bowels, and cramping can happen with this prep method. These pills are usually taken in the evening before the colonoscopy. The exact number of pills that you’ll need to take will depend on the doctor’s orders.

Take as Directed

It’s important with every method of colonoscopy prep to follow the doctor’s orders closely. Don’t put off drinking the liquid or taking the pills until later when you’re told to take them earlier. When you take them is important to the process. If you’ve had a problem with nausea and/or vomiting in the past when taking a prep method, you might ask your doctor for a prescription for a nausea medication, or you could take an over-the-counter one with the prep materials as allowed. Be sure to ask the doctor or pharmacist any questions you have before you begin the regimen.