Digestive Health Center (DHC)
Getting Ready for Your Colonoscopy MiraLAX
HFFY#7477
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.
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Colonoscopy
with MiraLAX® Prep
You will mix and drink two doses of prep. Drink first dose one day before test and the second
dose the day of test. Please call with questions.
608-890-5010 or 1-855-342-9900
www.uwhealth.org/digestivehealth
Getting Ready for Colonoscopy Test
7 days before
3 days before
1 day before
Day of
Talk to doctor about
medicines
Start low-fiber
Pick up supplies
Arrange for a ride
home
Stop eating
Drink clear liquids
only
Drink prep
Finish prep
No food
Nothing by mouth
4 hours before check-in
Read all directions
Read page 2
Read pages 3-4
Read pages 4-5
Important
Please Read
One week before colonoscopy test
2
7 Days before Colonoscopy
Medicine
Talk to your doctor about blood thinner and diabetes medicine. These will need to be adjusted
before the test.
3 Days before Colonoscopy
Diet
Do not eat
Corn
Raw Vegetables
Popcorn
Potato Skins
Fruit with skin or seeds
Nuts
To Do
• Make plans for a responsible adult to drive you home. If you plan to take a cab or bus
home, you need an adult with you. The cab or bus driver cannot be that adult. Do NOT
drive the day of your test.
• Plan to go rest at home. You may be able to resume your normal routine the next day.
• Buy supplies 3-5 days before test. No prescription needed.
o 4- Bisacodyl 5 mg laxative tablets
o MiraLAX® (238 gm or one 8.3 oz bottle)
o Two-32 oz bottles of Gatorade® or Powerade®. No red, blue or purple.
• If you have constipation, take a laxative and start clear liquid diet 2-3 days before test.
1 Day before Colonoscopy
Today drink only clear liquids, no food. You will drink the first dose of prep today.
Clear Liquids
(Nothing red or purple)
Water
Soda
Clear sports drinks (Powerade,
Gatorade®)
Tea
Broth
Black Coffee (no cream or milk)
Apple
Juice
3
Mix Prep
Mix half of MiraLAX® powder in 32 ounces of Gatorade® or Powerade®. Mix to dissolve. Okay
to keep it chilled. Mix second dose tonight.
If you take medicine, take it 1 hour before or 1 hour after you finish drinking the prep.
Cancel plans for the rest of the day. Drink prep. Be near the bathroom. Each part of prep may last
several hours. Do not drink prep at work.
Drink 1 cup every 10 – 20 minutes. If you have nausea or stomach pains slow down or stop for
30 minutes. Expect liquid stools to begin in 1-2 hours.
Okay to drink clear liquids after MiraLAX prep. Nothing to drink 4 hours before check-in.
Before bed, mix second dose of prep. Mix to dissolve. Keep chilled. Drink second dose day of
test.
Helpful Hints
• Drink prep with a straw to avoid the taste.
• Apply petroleum jelly to your bottom to prevent soreness. Clean area with baby wipes.
• Wear more clothes if you feel chilled.
Table: Timing of Prep
Day Before Colonoscopy Day of Colonoscopy
check-in
before noon
10:00 AM - Start Clear Liquids
4:00 PM – Take 4 bisacodyl tablets
6:00 PM – Start prep. Drink 4 glasses
of prep before bed.
5 hours before check-in:
Drink all the prep
Nothing by mouth 4 hours before
check-in
check-in
after noon
3:00 PM - Start Clear Liquids
6:00 PM - Take 4 bisacodyl tablets
8:00 PM - Start prep. Drink 4 glasses
of prep before bed
5 hours before check-in:
Drink all of prep
Nothing by mouth 4 hours before
check-in
4
Your liquid stools will color the water yellow or tan. There should be no solids (flecks are OK).
When to Call the Doctor:
• Steady stomach pain
• Light-headed
• Dizzy
• If you do not get results or have a bowel movement
Digestive Health Center: 608-890-5010 or 1-855-342-9900
Day of Colonoscopy
Please see letter we sent you with details about check-in.
• NO food
• Nothing to drink 4 hours before check-in
• Plan to wear loose, comfy clothes
• Leave jewelry and valuables at home
• If you wear glasses or contacts, please bring a case
• Bring inhalers, CPAP, or BiPAP
• If you will be late, please call (We may need to reschedule your test)
Going Home
Expect to be with us for 2-3 hours. Your driver needs to be available when you are ready to go
home. It may be best for them to stay in the building. We will ask for their cell phone number.
• Do not return to work today
Do not use machines
Do not make important decisions
Plan to rest
No alcohol
Do not drive
Contact Us
UW Health Digestive Health Center
750 University Row
Madison, WI
608-890-5010 or 855-342-9900
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
GI Procedure Clinic
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
608-263-8097 or 800-323-8942
Meriter Hospital Digestive Health Center
Lower Level
202 S. Park Street
Madison, WI
(608) 417-6389
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Spanish HFFY #7547
Your health care team may have given you this information as part of your care. If so, please use it and call if you
have any questions. If this information was not given to you as part of your care, please check with your doctor. This
is not medical advice. This is not to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Because each
person’s health needs are different, you should talk with your doctor or others on your health care team when using
this information. If you have an emergency, please call 911. Copyright © 9/2018 University of Wisconsin Hospital and
Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#7477