Read this entire document at least 1 week before your test. Let’s review how to get ready for your colonoscopy using CLENPIQ. 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 Bowel Prep

Your bowel prep will be ordered about two weeks before your test. Three days before your test:

Call the pharmacy to tell them you will be picking up CLENPIQ.
Pick up your bowel prep.
o Do not put CLENPIQ in the fridge or freezer.
o Do not mix with water.
Buy soft toilet paper.

1 Day Before Test

Start a Clear Liquid Diet

Begin clear liquid diet at the time listed in your Prep Checklist.
Be sure to drink at least 8 glasses of clear “see-through” liquids.
See “Getting Ready for Your GI Procedure” handout for more information.

Medicines

Take your daily medicines except those you were told to stop. Take at least one hour before or one hour after drinking your prep.

Bowel Prep

CLENPIQ is a total of 2 bottles. Start drinking your prep at the time listed on your Prep Checklist.
Stay near a bathroom. You will have loose, then liquid stools. This is normal.

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

Patients whose arrival is after 11:00 am will need to drink the second bottle of the bowel prep 6 hours before their arrival.

If you are still passing solid or brown stools, please call the procedure center. 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 color or consistency.

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 1-2 weeks later. 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

(If you need help finding a ride to and from your test)
(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, vitamins with iron and fish oil 5 days before your test.