Colonoscopy Preparation Alternatives

A colonoscopy checks for conditions that could indicate colon cancer. To prepare for a colonoscopy, you will be unable to eat solid food for about 20 hours and must take a series of medications that will cleanse your colon and assure that the procedure will go smoothly. Emptying the colon's contents is an unpleasant experience at best.

Diet

• On the day before the test, you may not eat any solid foods. The only things you can have are water, clear broth, soft drinks, clear juices and gelatins (orange, yellow and light green only). This may not be very satisfying, but it is required to clean out your colon.

Polyethylene Glycol

• Polyethylene glycol is an electrolyte-balanced solution that must be consumed in large amounts the night before the test. You must drink about 4 L (1 gallon) to assure that your colon will be cleansed. Drink about 8 oz. of the solution every 10 minutes until the bowel output is clear. Brand names for polyethylene glycol include Golytely, Colyte and Trilyte.

Oral Sodium Phosphate

• For those who can't swallow that much solution, you can take oral sodium phosphate in pill form. Take four tablets of the oral sodium phosphate with 8 oz. of water every 15 minutes until you have ingested 20 pills the night before the test. You may also have to do this again several hours before the test. This will help you evacuate the contents of your bowel and colon.