Download Durham Gastroenterology

Durham Gastroenterology
919/806-8322
David Tendler, MD
Scott Brazer, MD
COLONOSCOPY PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS
Bowel Preparation with Fleet Phospho Soda
You have been scheduled for a colonoscopy at Durham Regional Hospital/Davis Ambulatory Surgical Center
on ______________________at _________ am/pm. A colonoscopy is a visual examination of the lining of
your large intestine. A colonoscope, a long flexible telescope, is passed through the rectum and around the
colon. It is extremely important that your bowel be empty so that you will have a successful exam. Any stool
left in the intestinal tract can hide important conditions that may be present. Please follow the preparation
instructions exactly as given. An examination as important as this requires careful preparation. We realize no
laxative preparation is fun. However, this solution has been developed to make your preparation as simple and
effective as possible. PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

TEN DAYS BEFORE EXAM
Do not take aspirin or aspirin products; NSAIDS (such as Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve):
Plavix; iron supplements; Ginkgo or vitamin E.
If you are a diabetic or on anti-coagulants (Coumadin, heparin, Lovenox) please call our office to
receive instructions for your medication dosage.
Please notify us if you have an internal defibrillator device or Latex allergy.


FIVE DAYS BEFORE EXAM
Avoid: corn, peas, beans, popcorn, nuts, and seeds from fruits and vegetables.
Foods processed in Olestra or Olean.
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
ONE DAY BEFORE THE EXAM
You will need to purchase one 3 ounce bottle of Fleet Phospho soda. No prescription is needed.
Drink only clear liquids for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Clear liquids include strained fruit juices without pulp
(apple, white grape, lemonade), water, clear broth or bouillon, coffee, tea, Gatorade, sodas, Jell-O, and ice
popsicles. Not allowed: Solid foods, milk or milk products, red or purple liquids.
Prep Schedule:
 Breakfast-clear liquids only, ● Lunch-clear liquids only, ● Dinner-clear liquids only.
 7:00pm-Measure 1 ½ fl oz (3 tablespoons; use measuring spoon for accuracy) of Fleet Phospho Soda,
may be mixed with 4 fl oz ( ½ glass) of clear liquid, and drink. Follow this immediately with 8 fl oz of
clear liquid. Individual response to laxatives varies. This prep often works within 30 minutes but may
take as long as 3 hours.
 8:00pm-drink 8 oz water ● 9:00pm-drink 8 oz water ● 10:00pm-drink 8 oz water
Nothing To Drink After Midnight. (Unless your appointment is after 1:00p.m., in that case you may have clear liquids until
8:00a.m.)
DAY OF EXAM
Three hours before you leave for your appointment:
 Measure 1 ½ fl oz (3 tablespoons) Fleet Phospho Soda to ½ glass (4 fl oz) clear liquid and drink. Follow
with 8 fl oz water.
Come with a responsible adult over 18, to stay with you during the procedure and to drive you home.
Arrive one hour before your scheduled time. The procedure itself takes 30-45 minutes. You should plan
to be at the endoscopy unit three hours.
Your colonoscopy will not be done unless you have taken two full doses of Fleet Phospho-Soda.
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NOTICE TO MEDICARE PATIENT
Medicare guidelines state that a screening colonoscopy less than 47 months (3 years, 11 months) after a
screening flexible sigmoidoscopy or screening colonoscopy in an individual not at high risk will not be paid
for by Medicare.
12/2004