Read this entire document at least 1 week before your test. Review how to get ready for your colonoscopy using MiraLAX®. We’ve provided a Prep Checklist on the last page to help you plan your prep.
3 Days Before Test
Start a Low Fiber Diet
See “Getting Ready for Your GI Procedure” handout for more information.
Pick up Supplies
4 Bisacodyl (5mg) laxative tablets
MiraLAX® one 8.3 oz bottle
Two 28-32 oz bottles of Gatorade® or Powerade®
Magnesium citrate 10oz / 296 ml bottle
1 Day Before Test
Start a Clear Liquid Diet
Start a clear liquid diet at the time listed on your checklist. See “Getting Ready for Your GI Procedure” handout for more information.
Medicines
Take your daily medicines today, except those you were told to stop. Take your medicines at least one hour before or one hour after drinking your prep.
Bowel Prep
Take 4 tablets of bisacodyl and drink Magnesium Citrate 10 oz at the time listed on the prep checklist.
Mix half of the 8.3oz bottle of MiraLAX® powder in 28-32 ounces of Gatorade® or Powerade®. Mix to dissolve.
Okay to keep it chilled.
Start drinking your prep mixture at the time listed on the prep checklist.
Expect liquid stools to begin in 1-2 hours.
Okay to drink clear liquids after MiraLAX® prep.
Nausea
You may have cramping, bloating and/or nausea. If you have a lot of nausea or vomiting, slow down or stop for 30 minutes, then start again.
Test Day
Diet
Continue clear liquid diet (no red or purple). No solid food.
Stop drinking everything, even water, 4 hours before you arrive.
Bowel Prep
Mix the second half of the 8.3oz bottle of MiraLAX® powder in 28-32 ounces of Gatorade® or Powerade®. Mix to dissolve.
Six hours before arrival: Drink the remaining bottle of MiraLAX® solution (28-32 oz bottle).
You need to complete the prep mixture 4 hours before you arrive.
As you finish the prep, your stools should be watery clear or yellow, with no solids (flecks of stool are OK). You should finish the entire bowel prep solution, no matter the stool consistency.
If you are still passing solid or brown stools, please call the procedure center.
Medicines
If you need to take medicine during the 4 hours before your test, drink no more than 1/2 cup of water (4 ounces). Follow your provider’s directions for your diabetes or blood thinning medicines.
Before the Test
When you arrive, you can choose if your driver waits in the waiting room or in your private room where they will hear private health information.
The doctor will talk with you, answer questions, and ask you to sign a consent form.
A nurse will review your health history, take your vital signs, and attach a heart monitor.
A nurse will place an IV and give you medicines to help you relax and keep you comfortable.
Your visit will take about 2-3 hours.
After the Test
Your doctor will review the results and give you a report. We strongly suggest that you have your driver in the room with you to hear the results.
You may feel tired when you leave.
Spend the day resting at home. You cannot drive or return to work. You can return to your normal routine the next day.
It may take up to a week for your bowel habits to return to your normal.
If you stopped blood thinning medicine before your test, ask when it can be restarted.
Results
If you have biopsies taken or polyps removed, you can expect to get lab results in 1-2 weeks. Your results will be sent to your MyChart account. If you don’t have a MyChart account, someone will call you with results or results will be mailed to you.
To learn more about colon polyps visit: patient.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/7917.
When to Call
If you are still passing solid stools or your bowels have not started to empty by the morning of your test.
You have severe cramps.
You feel dizzy or lightheaded.
You have constant pain, rectal bleeding and/or a fever.
If you think you are having an allergic reaction. If you are having trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911.
Who to Call
Patient Resources
(They can help figure out if your insurance will cover transportation.)
(608) 821-4144
UW Health Digestive Health Center
(608) 890-5010
UW Health Ambulatory Procedure Center
(608) 263-8094
Meriter/Unity Point
(608) 417-6389
Prep Checklist
1 Week Before Test
Call your insurance company to confirm coverage.
Find safe transportation for the day of your test.
Talk to your prescribing provider about your diabetes and/or blood thinning medicines.
Call during clinic hours if you are constipated, had trouble prepping in the past or if you’ve had any major health changes since you scheduled your test.
Stop iron supplements and vitamins with iron and fish oils 5 days before your test.
3 Days Before Test
Start a low fiber diet.
Pick up your bowel prep supplies.
1 Day Before Test
If your arrival time is before 11:00 am:
10:00 am - Start clear liquids.
Take your daily medicines except those you were told to stop.
4:00 pm - Take 4 bisacodyl tablets. Drink 1 bottle (10 oz/296 ml) of magnesium citrate.
6:00 pm - Start prep. Drink 1 bottle of MiraLAX® solution (28-32 oz bottle).
Keep drinking clear fluids to stay hydrated.
If your arrival time is after 11:00 am:
3:00 pm - Start clear liquids.
Take your daily medicines except those you were told to stop.
6:00 pm - Take 4 bisacodyl tablets. Drink 1 bottle (10oz/296 ml) of magnesium citrate.
8:00 pm - Start prep. Drink 1 bottle of MiraLAX® solution (28-32 oz bottle).
Keep drinking clear fluids to stay hydrated.
Day of Test
6 hours before arrival start drinking the rest of your prep.
Drink 1 cup every 10-20 minutes until you finish the prep.
Stop all liquids (even water) 4 hours before arrival.
If you need to take medicine during the 4 hours before arrival, drink no more than 1/2 cup of water (4 ounces).
Call if you are still passing solid or brown stools or your bowels have not started to empty.