Read and follow directions carefully
Miralax - Gatorade Prep
For Colonoscopy
Important general instructions
Follow these directions carefully
You must drink the recommended amount of water and/or clear liquids while taking this bowel preparation to prevent serious side effects and to ensure that you are properly prepared for testing.
If you do not follow these directions completely your exam may have to be repeated.
You must have a responsible adult to accompany you. If you do not have an adult escort, your procedure will be cancelled and rescheduled.
You need to bring your insurance card and a photo ID with you.
Please bring your medication list with you on the day of your procedure, along with the date your medication was last taken.
Purchase over-the-counter items
No prescription is needed for these items
- Two Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) 5mg oral tables (laxative)
- One 238 gram bottle OR 8.3 oz bottle of Miralax
- One 64 oz bottles of Gatorade, or G2, or Powerade (NO RED OR PURPLE)
5 days before your colonoscopy
Medications
You will need to stop taking full-dose aspirin (325mg), blood thinners and/or arthritis medications such as Motrin, Advil, Vitamin E and herbal supplements for 5 days prior to your procedures, unless otherwise instructed. You may take Tylenol, multi-vitamins and all other prescription medications. You can continue Baby Aspirin (81mg). If you are unsure about a medication please ask your physician or nurse. Please see list of medications to avoid.
If you take heart, blood pressure or seizure medications you should take them as directed the morning of your procedure with a small amount of water. All other medications should be held until instructions are given after your procedure.
The day before your colonoscopy
As soon as you wake up
You will be on a CLEAR LIQUID DIET as soon as you wake up. You may have the following:
- Coffee (no dairy or cream)
- Tea (no dairy or cream)
- Fruit Juice without pulp (orange, apple, white grape, white cranberry)
- Gatorade, G2, Powerade (no red or purple flavors)
- Crystal Light
- Broth
- Jell-O
- Sodas (Coke, Diet Coke, etc.)
- Juice popsicles without fruit or pulp
DO NOT have milk/cream products, red, pink or purple colored liquid or any alcoholic beverages.
Drink 6-8 ounces of clear liquid every hour throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Nothing by mouth four (4) hours prior to your procedure, including gum, mints, hard candy or water.
Do not use any recreational drugs or alcohol for 48 hours prior to your procedure.
In the morning
Mix 238 gram bottle of Miralax powder into the 64 oz bottle of Gatorade. Shake solution until Miralax is dissolved and chill in the refrigerator until time to begin prep.
Consume a clear liquid diet for the entire day. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) A clear liquid diet may include: water, soft drinks, coffee or tea without cream, jello, juice without pulp (orange, apple, white grape, white cranberry), popsicles, broth and bouillon. IMPORTANT: Remember not to drink any dairy products or red or purple colored beverages, jello, popsicles, etc.
Drink at least 6 hours of clear liquids every hour.
2:00 p.m.
Take 2 Dulcolax 5 mg oral tablets with water.
4:00 p.m.
Start drinking the Miralax-Gatorade prep. Drink 8 ounces every 15-30 minutes until half (32 oz) of the solution is gone. Refrigerate the remaining half of the prep.
IMPORTANT: If you become nauseated during the ingestion of the Miralax-Gatorade prep, stop the prep for 45 minutes then resume. Continue to drink clear liquids until bedtime.
The day of your colonoscopy
No solid foods
6 hours prior to your procedure
Drink the remainder (32 oz) of the Miralax- Gatorade prep, 8 ounces every 15-30 minutes.
After drinking this part of your prep, you may have nothing else by mouth prior to procedure.
Arrange for an adult to accompany you
You must have an adult accompany you home. If you do not have an adult escort, your procedure will be cancelled and rescheduled.
Important Reminders
Do no eat or drink anything including water, mints hard candy or gum within 4 hours of your procedure or your procedure will be delayed or canceled.
You must have a responsible adult to accompany you home or your procedure will be cancelled and rescheduled.
Call us at 615-550-6066 if you have any questions.
Medications to avoid
Avoid these medications 5 days before your colonoscopy
Advil
Aggrenox
Aleve
Alka Seltzer
Anaprox
Anacin
Arthritis Pain Formula
Ascriptin
Aspergum
Aspirin (325 mg)-Baby Aspirin (81 mg) is okay
Azoid
BC Powders
Bextra
Brilinta
Bufferin
Cama Arthritis Medication
Celebrex
Clinoril
Coumadin
Darvon Compound /Darvocet Disalcid
Doan’s Pills
Dristan
Easprin
Ecotrin
Effervescent Tablets
Effient
Eliquis
Empirin
Equagesic
Etodolac
Excedrin
Feldene
Fenoprex
Fiorinal
Fish Oil
Formula Caplets
Goody Powders
Haltran
Ibuprofen
Ibu-Tab
Indocin
Lodine
Loritab ASA
Magsal
Midol
Mobic/Meloxicam
Mobigesic
Monogesic Tablets
Motrin
Naprosyn
Naprelan
Naproxen
Norgesic
Norwich
Nuprin
P-A-C Analgesic
Pepto-Bismal
Percodan
Phentermine HCL
Plaquenil
Plavix
Pradaxa
Robaxisal
Salflex
Salsalate
Salsitab
Savaysa
Sine-Aid
Soma Compound
Stanback
Synalgos-DC
Talwin
Therapy Bayer Caplets
Tolectin
Tolmetin
Toradol
Trigesic
Trilisate
Urisinus-Inlav
Vanquish
Vitamin E
Vioxx
Warfarin
Xarelto
Zontivity