Visicol Tablets Directions

Visicol (sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous) is a prescription tablet used to clean out your colon before you have a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to closely look at the inside of your colon. The colon is the last part of your intestine, often called the large intestine, and is roughly 5 feet long. Taking Visicol is an important part of cleansing your large intestine so the doctor can get a clear picture. But it is important that you take it correctly to ensure a safe and effective colonoscopy.

Things You'll Need

• 40 Visicol tablets
• 8 ounces water

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Instructions

• 1

  Follow the diet instructions given to you by your physician. Often this diet consists only of clear fluids. It is important to follow this diet as closely as possible, as it will enable the Visicol tablets to work more effectively. This will provide a cleaner large intestine and give more accurate colonoscopy results.

• 2

  Take your Visicol tablets starting the evening before your colonoscopy is scheduled. The usual adult dosage is three tablets every 15 minutes with 8 ounces (a full glass) of clear liquids, preferably water. This evening you will take a total of 20 tablets, so your last dose will be only 2 tablets.

  The medication should induce diarrhea. Visicol's purpose is to clean out your large intestine, so diarrhea, or loose stools, means that it is working.

  It is very important that you drink as much water or other clear liquid as you can while you are taking Visicol.

• 3

  Take 20 Visicol tablets on the day of your colonoscopy. You must start taking them 3 to 5 hours before your test is scheduled. Once again, take three tablets every 15 minutes with a full 8 ounces of clear liquids, stopping when you have taken all 20 tablets.

  You will again experience diarrhea and more cleansing of the large intestine. Drinking lots of fluids to help the body deal with the cleanse is important.