top of page

COLONOSCOPY INSTRUCTIONS​

The success of your colonoscopy largely depends on how well your colon is prepared. Proper preparation allows for clear visibility and accurate diagnosis, which can help in identifying and preventing potential health issues.​

​

Please read the following instructions carefully. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact our office 213-368-0360.

TIMELINE TABLE:

  • The timeline table below will help you figure out the days of the week for your prep.

  • Start your prep instructions as soon as you wake up on each day. Follow the instructions below carefully to ensure a successful procedure.

Blood Thinners (anticoagulation medication):

  • If you are taking blood-thinning medication, it's very important to talk to your doctor about whether it's safe to stop taking it before your elective colonoscopy. Stopping the medication can help reduce the risk of bleeding during the procedure

  • Our care team will carefully review your anticoagulation medications. We will work closely with your other healthcare providers to ensure the best and safest recommendations for your treatment.

Anticoagulation Medications

Generic (Brand)

  • Clopidogrel (Plavix®)

  • dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa®)

  • warfarin (Coumadin®)

  • Prasugrel (Effient®)

  • Enoxaparin Sodium (Lovenox®)

7 Days before the procedure

  • Pick up your bowel preparation medication from your pharmacy

  • Stop the following medications:

    • GLP-1 Inhibitor Medications listed below

    • iron supplements - can cause constipation and black stool

  • If you do not stop taking these medications 7 days before your colonoscopy, your procedure may need to be cancelled and rescheduled.​

​GLP-1 Inhibitor Medications

Generic (Brand)​​

  • Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)

  • Exenatide (Bydureon®)

  • Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®)

  • Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®)

4 Days (96 hours) before the procedure

  • If you do not stop taking the listed medications 4 days before your colonoscopy, your procedure may need to be cancelled and rescheduled.​

  • DO NOT take any of the following medications:​​

SGLT-2 Inhibitor Medications

Generic (Brand)

  • ertugliflozin (Steglatro®)

  • ertugliflozin and metformin (Segluromet™)

  • ertugliflozin and sitagliptin (Steglujan®).

3 Days (72 hours) before the procedure

  • If you do not stop taking the listed medications 3 days before your colonoscopy, your procedure may need to be cancelled and rescheduled.​

  • DO NOT take any of the following medications:​​

SGLT-2 Inhibitor Medications

Generic (Brand)

  • Bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy®)

  • Canagliflozin (Invokana®)

  • Canagliflozin/metformin (Invokamet®)

  • Canagliflozin/metformin XR (Invokamet® XR)

  • Dapagliflozin (Farxiga®)

  • Dapagliflozin/metformin XR (Xigduo®)

  • Dapagliflozin/metformin XR (Xigduo® XR)

  • Dapagliflozin/saxaglipitin (Qtern®)

  • Dapagliflozin/saxaglipitin/metformin (Qternmet® XR)

  • Empagliflozin (Jardiance®)

  • Empagliflozin/metformin (Synjardy®)

  • Empagliflozin/metformin XR (Synjardy® XR)

  • Empagliflozin/linagliptin (Glyxambi®)

  • Empagliflozin/linagliptin/metformin XR (Trijardy® XR)

3 Days (72 hours) Low Residue Diet

​​​

HIGH FIBER FOODS TO AVOID:

  • brown rice

  • raw vegetables

  • fruits with seeds (melon, strawberry, watermelon, kiwi)

  • kimchi

  • beans

  • corn

  • nuts

  • Fried foods

  • food that is bright red in color

​​

​FOODS YOU MAY EAT INCLUDE:

  • white rice

  • eggs

  • meats (chicken, fish and pork)

  • tofu

  • potatoes

  • banana

  • noodles

  • white bread

  • pasta

  • smoothies

  • soups

  • steamed vegetables

​​​​​​​​

1 Day Before Procedure:

  •  you may have solid food until 12 PM

  •  After 12:00 PM only consume clear liquid diet​

  • If you do not stop taking the listed medications 1 day before your colonoscopy, your procedure may need to be cancelled and rescheduled.​

  • DO NOT take any of the following medications:​​

GLP-1 Inhibitor Medications

Generic (Brand)

  • Exenatide (Byetta®)

  • Liraglutide (Saxenda®, Victoza®)

  • Lixisenatide(Adlyxin®)

  • Semaglutide (Rybelsus®)

Between 5:00 and 6:00 PM, you will start drinking half of your prep solution (you will drink the second half tomorrow). Drink one 8 ounce (oz) glass of prep solution every 15 minutes until half of the prep solution is done.

Day of Procedure:

  • 6 hours before you leave to go to your colonoscopy appointment: Start drinking the other half (64 oz) of your prep solution. Drink one 8 ounce (oz) glass of prep solution every 15 minutes until all of the prep solution is done.​

  • You must have a driver who is 18 years or older with you when you check in and when you leave your appointment. If you do not have a driver with you at check in, we will need to reschedule your appointment.

  • Please bring the following items to your procedure:

    • Drivers license​ or identification card

    • list of medications

    • insurance card

bottom of page