Dr. Scott E. Cowie MD, FRCS(C)
305-5171 221A St, Langley
Phone: 604 534 9288
DATE OF PROCEDURE:______
Bowel preparation for Colonoscopy
You will need to purchase PICO-SALAX and BISACODYL
These are over the counter products. You do not need a prescription. Purchase 1 box (2 sachets in each box) of PICO-SALAX and 2 tablets of BISACODYL (10mg in each tablet). Accept no substitutions with generic verions of pico-salax.
Medications:
Please continue on prescribed medications leading up to the examination, including the day of your procedure. You may take your medications with small sips of clear fluids, including the day of your test.
If you are on blood thinners (Coumadin, dabigatran, etc) your physician will give you specific instructions on when to stop these drugs.
Diabetic medication:
Continue to take your regular medication during the preparation. On the day of the colonoscopy take on ½ of the regular dose of your insulin or anti-hyperglycemic medication (metformin, glyburide, etc). Take 1/2 can of Ensure or Resource with each meal on the day prior to the test, and also on the morning of the test.
FIVE (5) DAYS prior to the examination:
Stop taking fiber supplements (Flax seed, Metamucil, etc)
THREE (3) DAYS prior to the examination:
Take 1 ten mg tablet of Bisacodyl orally at 5pm
TWO (2) DAYS prior to the examination:
Take 1 ten mg tablet of Bisacodyl orally at 5pm
ONE (1) DAYprior to the examination:
Do not eat any solid foods at all during the day.
Drink large amounts (minimum 2-3L) of CLEAR fluids throughout the day. Examples include water, apple juice, white grape juice, white cranberry juice, soda water, clear soup, Gatorade, tea and coffee (sugar or honey allowed but NO cream/milk).
You may have plain Jell-O (no cream, no fruit).
No red or purple coloured liquids.
Diabetics are to take 1/2 can of Ensure or Resource with each meal.
TAKING PICO-SALAX
In a mug, dissolve the contents of 1 sachet in 150 ml of COLD water. Stir for 2 – 3 minutes and drink the solution. If it heats up let it cool first before drinking.
IF YOUR COLONOSCOPY APPOINTMENT IS BEFORE 11AM:
On the day prior to the examination take the first sachet of PICO-SALAX at 5pm, and take the second sachet of PICO-SALAX at 9pm.
IF YOUR COLONOSCOPY APPOINTMENT ISAT OR AFTER 11AM:
On the day prior to the examination take the first sachet of PICO-SALAX at 8pm, and take the second sachet at 7am on the day of your procedure.
On the day of your examination take only sips of clear fluids with medications or your mug of PICO-SALAX. Diabetic patients remember to take 1/2 can of Ensure or Resource. Otherwise no fluids or solids by mouth that day!!
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Please ensure you have someone to drive or escort you home. Due to the sedatives used during the procedure you will not be allowed to drive until the next day after the examination. YOU MAY NOT TAKE A TAXI OR HANDI-DART HOME ALONE!!
SCHEDULING AND NO-SHOW POLICY
Langley Hospital will call approximately five days prior to your procedure with your time and where to report to. If you are going to be away 5 days prior to your appointment, please call and confirm before you go away. If your appointment is not confirmed, it will be cancelled.
If you do not show up for your scheduled procedure without providing at least 3 business days notice, you may be charged a $150 cancellation fee as this is unfair to other patients who could be scheduled into that time.
AFTER THE TEST
You may resume your usual diet and activity. It is not uncommon to feel gas cramps for a short while. Moving around will help expel the gas, and you shouldn’t worry about being offensive – consider it a natural side effect of the test.
Do to the effects of the sedation you are advised to not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or make legal or financial decisions until the next day.