Non-Prescription Bowel Preparation for a Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is performed in order to see the inside of the rectum and colon (large intestine). Colonoscopies are usually performed to screen for colon cancer, to look for inflamed tissue, abnormal growths and ulcers, and to diagnose irregular bowel habits. A colonoscopy requires that the bowels be free of all solids, so you must prep your bowels one to three days before the date of the procedure.

Preparing for a Colonoscopy

• Generally, you will be asked to stop eating solid foods one to three days before your scheduled colonoscopy, and switch over to consuming clear liquids only. Prior to that time, it may be a good idea to slowly introduce light, easy-to-digest foods into your daily diet. Skinless chicken, potatoes without the skin, steamed fish, cheese, eggs and light soups are all foods that are light and easy for your body to digest. Consume light meals during the two days leading up to the start of your liquid diet.

  Consume only clear fluids during your liquid diet. Clear fluids include soup broths, Jell-O, clear juices, sports drinks, ginger ale, plain coffee or tea, and water. Avoid drinks that contain blue, purple or red food coloring, as they can alter the color of the tissues in your colon.

  Typically a prescription medication such as Colyte is administered to loosen any existing waste and promote bowel movements. Non-prescription medications can also be used to produce the same effect. According to The Harvard Medical Journal, Fleet Phospho-Soda EZ-Prep and Fleet Accu-prep are two non-prescription medications that are effective in cleansing the colon. Both contain oral sodium phosphate, which is an ingredient that brings water into the bowels, which in turn softens any present waste and flushes it out of the system. You can also take oral sodium phosphate tablets; however, carefully follow dosage instructions and drink plenty of clear fluid with each dose.

  Laxatives and enemas are non-prescription solutions for bowel preparation. Laxatives are taken orally, while an enema is a liquid solution that is flushed into the colon through the anus, using a special bottle. Certain laxatives and bowel preparation medications can lead to electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, so make sure to read instructions carefully and consume plenty of clear fluids.

Precautions

• Your physician should provide you with an exact guide for bowel preparation, but if he doesn't, ask for specific instructions. Additionally, inform your physician of any health conditions that you may have, and any medication you may be taking. Certain conditions and medications can affect the results of a colonoscopy, so it's important that your health care team is aware of them.