Oral Saline Bowel Prep - Morning Procedure

Several Days Before Your Colonoscopy

Obtain the prescription for the saline lavage prep (Nulytely, Colyte) from the pharmacy. Purchase Dulcolax tablets at the pharmacy (located in the laxative section). Follow the instructions below. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AFTER YOU BEGIN DRINKING THE PREP, YOU MAY ONLY HAVE WATER UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT, THEN NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK UNTIL YOU HAVE YOUR EXAM.

The Day Before The Exam

  1. Morning: Have a clear liquid breakfast. (water, apple juice, white grape juice, white cranberry juice, soda, lime or lemon Jello, bouillon, black coffee, or plain tea and preferably nothing with red, orange or purple food dye)
  2. Between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm: Have a clear liquid lunch. (see above list for clear liquids) Take three (3) Dulcolax tablets.
  3. Between 5:00 pm and 6:00 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 for about 3 hours. It is best to drink the glass rapidly and not sip. If you get nauseated or vomit, you may skip one session, but try to start up again before too much time has elapsed.
  4. Approximately 9:00 pm you should be finished drinking. Remember to have only water up until midnight.
  5. You will continue to have liquid bowel movements throughout the evening, however you should be able to sleep through the night.
  6. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING INCLUDING WATER AFTER MIDNIGHT. THIS INCLUDED HARD CANDY, BREATH MINTS, LOZENGES, OR CHEWING GUM. NO SMOKING AFTER MIDNIGHT. IF YOUR PROCEDURE IS SCHEDULED FOR 12:00 NOON OR AFTER, YOU MAY HAVE UP TO 8 OUNCES OF WATER UP TO 6 HOURS BEFORE THE EXAM.
  7. If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please call us at 717-531-1318.
  8. Questions about Prep after 4:30 pm: Call 531-8521 and ask for the GI Fellow on-call.