Oral Saline Bowel Prep - Afternoon Procedure

Several Days Before Your Colonoscopy

You will be mailed a prescription to obtain the saline lavage prep (Nulytely, Colyte) from the pharmacy. At the same time, purchase Dulcolax tablets at the pharmacy (located in the laxative section - you can buy generic). Follow the instructions below.

The Day Before The Exam

  1. You may have a regular breakfast, a light lunch and light supper (soup and sandwich, for example).
  2. At around 4:00 pm take three (3) Dulcolax tablets. You may have as many clear liquids as you would like until you start drinking the first dose of the solution. If you must work today, and do not want to take the laxatives at work, you may wait to take them when you get home, but wait at least 3 hours after taking them to start drinking the prep.
  3. Between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm: Mix the preparation according to the instructions on the bottle. Begin drinking Nulytely or Colyte as instructed: 8 ounces every 10 to 15 minutes until you have drunk 8 glasses. It may help to use a straw. You are done drinking for the night. Refrigerate the remaining solution for tomorrow. You may have clear liquids again until you go to bed. Please do not have any solid food after you start drinking the prep (clear liquids include: clear juices, Gatorade, Jell-O, bouillon, coffee or tea without milk - you may have sugar, No liquids with purple or red dye, please).

The Day of Your Exam

  1. When you get up, you may have clear liquids for breakfast. At 6:30 a.m. begin drinking the second half of the solution: 8 ounces every 10 to 15 minutes until you have finished the bottle (8 glasses). You should be finished by 8:30 a.m. You may not have anything by mouth after 9:00 a.m. due to having anesthesia for your test.
  2. Arrive at the Endoscopy Center for your appointment with someone to drive you home, wear a short-sleeved shirt, and bring along your insurance cards.
  3. NO HARD CANDY, GUM, SMOKING, BREATH MINTS, OR ANYTHING BY MOUTH AFTER 9:00 A.M. YOUR PROCEDURE COULD BE CANCELLED IF THIS IS NOT FOLLOWED.
  4. If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please call us at 717-531-1318.
  5. Questions about Prep after 4:30 pm: Call 531-8521 and ask for the GI Fellow on-call.