Colonoscopy Preparation Instructions – Miralax

Be sure to carefully read these instructions at least two weeks before the date of your appointment to ensure that you understand it and are able to follow the directions.

Proper Preparation: The Key to An Accurate Diagnosis

The bowel needs to be flushed completely free of waste material to give your doctor the clearest view. It is important that you do your best to follow these instructions. If the bowel is incompletely cleansed it may make it difficult to detect or treat abnormalities and the procedure may need to be repeated. The preparation is specially designed to help cleanse the colon and allow for the best examination.

One week before the procedure:
Stop taking any iron supplements.

Four (4) days before the procedure:
Stop taking Aspirin, Vitamin E, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, etc.
Stop taking any blood thinners (Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix), if approved by your physician.

Two (2) nights before the procedure:
Take either the laxative of your choice or purchase 'Dulcolax Overnight' and take 1 tablet.

Diet on the Day Before Your Procedure

Clear liquid diet all day - no red or purple liquids.

Laxative Instructions

• Mix 527 gram of Miralax powder in 64 oz. (1/2 gallon) water or lemon flavor Gatorade in the morning the day before your colonoscopy. Keep in refrigerator until ready to use.
• Start drinking the laxative solution at 2 p.m.
• Drink 8 ounces of liquid laxative every 30 minutes. (If you start to feel nauseated or bloated, stop for one hour.)
• Try to finish the entire liquid laxative even if you think you don't need it.

Bedtime Instructions

• Nothing to eat or drink, including water, until after the procedure unless instructed otherwise.

Note: If you are scheduled for an afternoon procedure, save 2 glasses of the laxative solution to drink early in the morning the day of your procedure. You may also have clear liquids up to 5 hours before you come to the UConn Procedure Center.

If you have problems with the preparation and have questions during the evening hours (after 5 p.m.) you should call 860-679-2626 and ask for the GI fellow on-call. If you have questions during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. please call 860-679-4784.