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This handout will tell you about your capsule test. It will tell you what to do before, during and after the test.
About this Test
For this test you swallow a patency capsule that looks like a pill and will dissolve. If the capsule leaves your body before it dissolves, your stomach and intestines are open (patent) enough for an object the size of a capsule to pass through. The capsule’s parts that dissolve surround a tiny radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. It can be seen by x-ray. You come back the next day or up to 30 hours after you swallowed the capsule for an x-ray. It tells us the capsule has passed through your small intestine.
Medicines
Your doctor may ask you to stop these medicines for your test:
Calcium channel blockers
Medicines that affect gastric emptying
Before starting or stopping any medicine, please talk with your doctor who prescribes your medicine.
Day Before Testing
After lunch, start a clear liquid diet.
Water
Broth
Soda
Sports drinks
Clear juice without pulp
Jell-O® without fruit
Coffee and tea without milk or creamer
Do not eat or drink after 10:00 pm. You may have sips of water with your medicine, if needed. You may take medicines up to 2 hours before your test.
Day of Test
Your test will last about 30 minutes. You will swallow the capsule with a glass of water.
Do not eat or drink for 2 hours after you swallow the capsule.
2 hours after you swallow the capsule you may drink liquids.
4 hours after you swallow the capsule you may have a light lunch. This may be a small sandwich or a little soup and 8 to 12 ounces of any fluids. You may also take medicine at this time.
8 hours after you swallow the capsule you may go back to your normal diet.
Day After the Test
You will be scheduled the day after the test for an x-ray to confirm the capsule has passed.
Report any new belly pain, nausea, or vomiting to your doctor if the capsule has not passed. You may need an x-ray exam.
You cannot have an MRI if the capsule is inside you. If you are unsure if the capsule has passed, an x-ray will be needed before any MRI testing.
Follow Up
Your doctor will review the test results. Expect to have more capsule testing if your stomach and intestines are patent. You will be given instructions about testing at the time of scheduling.
Who to Call
UW Health Digestive Health Center
750 University Row
Madison, WI
(608) 890-5000
(855) 342-9900
University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics
GI Procedure Clinic
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
(608) 263-8097
(800) 323-8942
If you are a patient receiving care at UnityPoint – Meriter, Swedish American or a health system outside of UW Health, please use the phone numbers provided in your discharge instructions for any questions or concerns.