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Getting Ready for Afternoon Colonoscopy Using MoviPrep PEG Solution

 What is a Colonoscopy?

 

A colonoscopy is an exam of your colon (large bowel).  Your doctor uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a built in camera and light.  This tube lets the doctor see the lining of your colon very clearly.  If needed, the doctor can remove growths in the colon called polyps or take tiny samples of tissue to detect certain conditions.

 

 Important – Read 1 week in advance.

Procedure may be cancelled if instructions are not followed.

 

Getting Ready

 


1.    7 days before, you should stop taking the blood thinner Effient® (prasugrel).

 

2.    5 days before, you should stop taking:
  

  • Iron.
  • Blood thinners, such as Coumadin® (warfarin) or Plavix® (clopidogrel).  

 

3.    2 days before, you should stop taking the blood thinner Pradaxa® (dabigatran).

 

Blood thinning pills should never be stopped without discussing this with the doctor who prescribes it for you.  The doctor will give you instructions on how to safely do this.  Contact us if you have questions.


 

4.   Diabetic medicines (oral and insulin) will need to be adjusted for the time you’re not eating as you normally do.  Please  discuss this with your local doctor.

 

5.   You must have an adult to drive you home or your exam will be cancelled.  You may take a cab or bus home only if you have a responsible adult with you other than the driver.

 

6.   Three days before your exam, avoid these foods (corn, peas, popcorn, nuts, and fruits with skins or seeds) which are digested slowly.  They interfere with your prep and our ability to see your colon.

 

7.   You will need to purchase bowel prep supplies at least 2 days before your exam.  You will be given a prescription to fill at your local drugstore.

 

8.   Plan ahead.  For your exam you will be given sedatives which can greatly affect your judgment.  On the day of your exam, you will not be able to drive or return to work.

 

9.   Our staff will need to review your health history, prior surgeries, allergies, and medicines.  Please bring this information with you including a list of your medicines or you labeled medicine bottles.

 

10.   If you use CPAP or BiPAP for sleep apnea, please bring it with you.  We will need your machine in order to sedate you safely.  

 

11.  If you have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator, we will need specific information about it before your procedure day.  If you haven't already given us this information, please call us during business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday) at (608) 263-8097.  Ask to speak to the Procedure Coordinator.

 

Day before Your Exam

 

Follow your bowel prep instructions carefully.  A clean colon is needed for your test to be accurate.

 

Prepare the Bowel Prep

 

MoviPrep® is a bowel prep that consists of two doses of solution, one liter each.  You will take the first dose this evening and the second dose tomorrow morning.

 

1.   In the morning, mix the first dose of the prep by emptying one Pouch A and one Pouch B into the disposable container.  Add lukewarm drinking water to the top line of the container (one liter).  Mix thoroughly to dissolve.

 

2.   No extra flavorings should be added to the MoviPrep® solution.

 

3.   Refrigerate.  It will taste better if chilled.

 

Diet

 

1.     You may have your normal meals (avoid slowly digested foods listed above) until 5:00 PM.  After 5:00 PM, do not eat any solid food, milk, or dairy products.

 

2.     You may drink clear liquids until bedtime.  Keep drinking to stay hydrated.  Avoid red or purple liquids.  These resemble blood in your colon.

 

3.     Clear liquids include

  • Water
  • Apple or white grape juice (no tomato, grapefruit, cranberry, purple grape, or orange juice)
  • Soda
  • Gatorade®  (not red or purple)
  • Jell-O® (without fruit and not red or purple in color)
  • Popsicles®
  • Broth
  • Tea or coffee (no cream or milk; sugar is okay)

 

Medicines

 

If you take medicines, take them 1 hour before your prep or 1 hour after you are done.  Do not take them while you are drinking the prep.

 

Bowel Prep

 

Plan on this half of your bowel prep taking 2 to 4 hours.  Stay near a bathroom during this time.

 

7:00 PM– First Dose

 

1.   The MoviPrep® container is divided by 4 marks.  Every 15 minutes, drink the mixture down to the next mark (about 8 ounces) until you drink the full liter.

 

2.   You should begin to have some abdominal cramping and liquid bowel movements within 1 to 6 hours.

 

3.   Stop drinking if you feel sick to your stomach.  Start again as soon as your are able at a slower rate.

 

4.   When you finish drinking the prep, drink 16 ounces of a clear liquid of your choice.  This is a needed step to ensure that you are hydrated and the prep works.

 

5.   You may continue to drink clear liquids as desired tonight.

 

6.   Prepare the second dose of MoviPrep in the same container in the manner described above.  Refrigerate it for use in the morning.

 

For problems with your bowel prep you can reach us at the contact numbers listed below.  If severe, steady stomach pain occurs or you don't expel any of the bowel prep, call the paging operator at (608) 262-0486 or toll free at 1-800-323-8942.  Ask for the Gastroenterology (GI) doctor on call.

 

Day of the Exam

 

Bowel Prep

 

7:00 AM – Second Dose

 

1.   Repeat the steps above, drinking 8 ounces of the solution every 15 minutes until it is gone.  Drink more slowly if you feel nauseated.

 

2.   Again, follow with 16 ounces of a clear liquid of your choice.  This needed for the prep to be effective.  You must finish all drinking at least 4 hours before your arrival time (be sure to allow for travel time).

 

3.   It is normal for your stools to start out darker than they were last night.  When finished with the prep, your bowel movements should be watery and see-through, and free of solids (flecks are OK). The color may appear clear to yellow, green, or tan.

 

Diet

 

1.   No solid food, milk, or dairy products until after your exam.

 

2.   Keep drinking clear liquids to prevent dehydration.  You should have nothing by mouth for 4 hours before you arrive.  You must stop drinking liquids for sedation to be given safely.  It is OK to rinse your mouth. 

 

3.   Take your normal medicines with a small sip of clear liquids up to 1 hour before you arrive. Do not take the medicines listed under “Getting Ready”.

 

4.   Follow the arrival and registration instructions in your cover letter.  If you are delayed, call us at (608) 263-8094 to let us know you are going to be late.  If you are over 30 minutes late, we may have to cancel and reschedule.  We do our best to stay on time.

 

5.   Plan to be with us about 2 to 3 hours.  Your driver will need to be available in our waiting room or by phone during this time.  You may not leave the recovery room without a responsible adult.

 

The Colonoscopy

 

A nurse will review your health history and place an IV.  The IV is used to give you medicines which make you feel drowsy and relaxed during your test.  The exam will take 45 – 60 minutes.  You will then go to our Recovery Room for about an hour.  Your driver may sit with you there.  Once awake, you will be given something to drink.  Your doctor will discuss results with you before discharge.  You and the doctor who referred you will receive a copy of the report.  If you have a colostomy, please bring extra supplies for after the test.

 

After the Colonoscopy and for the Rest of the Day

 

  • Do not return to work.
  • Do not use hazardous machinery.
  • Do not make any important decisions.
  • Plan to rest.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not drive.

 

You should be able to resume your normal routine on the day after your test.

 

You may feel bloated for a few hours.  This is caused by air that was put into your colon during the exam.  It’s best to wear loose fitting clothes.

 

Most often, you may eat and drink what you wish after the exam.  Plan on starting with something light.

 

Phone Numbers

 

GI Procedure Center, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, (608) 263-8094.

 

After clinic hours, this number will connect to the paging operator.  Ask for the Gastroenterology (GI) doctor on call.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, call 1-800-323-8942. 

 

If you are not able to keep your appointment, please let us know 5 days in advance.

 

University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics

Madison Surgery Center

600 Highland Avenue

1 South Park Street

C5/2 Gastroenterology Clinic

3rd Floor

Madison WI  53792

Madison WI  53715

608-263-8097

608-287-2200

800-323-8942

800-921-3444


The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 05/31/2011

Copyright © 05/27/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6874

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