Colonoscopy Preparation

Follow your procedure prep as instructed by your physician. This information can also be found in the "Procedure Prep Instruction Sheets" section below and can be download. 

Medication Instructions

Instructions for medication use will be reviewed with you prior to your procedure. If you are taking any blood thinners/anti-platelets, please inform the Gastroenterology Clinic office well in advance of your procedure in order to get instructions about whether to continue or discontinue the medication. In the event you accidentally take any medication the morning prior to your procedure, please contact us by calling (319) 369-4542 prior to arriving.

• Do NOT take medications that stop diarrhea, such as Imodium, Kaopectate, or Pepto Bismol.
• Do NOT take fiber supplements, such as Metamucil, Citrucel, or Perdiem.
• Do NOT take products that contain iron, such as multi-vitamins.
• Do NOT take vitamin E or fish oil.
• Do not use Advil (Ibuprofen), Aleve (Naproxen), Relafen, Mobic, Motrin or other NSAIDS for five days prior to surgery, if possible. You may take Tylenol or a baby aspirin.

You will need to purchase the following:

• Your prescription for an oral bowel purge or preparation solution (Peg, GoLytely, Nulytely)
• You will need to purchase an over the counter laxative Dulcolax (4 tablets)

Procedure Prep Instruction Sheets

The following is a list of procedure preparation instructions.

• Colonoscopy 4-Liter Prep (PDF)
• Colonoscopy Prep (for diabetic patients) (PDF)
• Colonoscopy Prep (Suprep) (PDF)
• EGD (Upper Endoscopy/Gastroscopy) Prep (PDF)

Designated Driver on the Day of Your Exam

A responsible adult (family member or friend) MUST come with you to your colonoscopy and REMAIN in the endoscopy area until you are discharged! You are NOT ALLOWED to drive, take a taxi or bus, or leave the Endoscopy Center ALONE.

If you do not have a responsible adult (family member or friend) with you to take you home, your exam cannot be done with sedation and will be cancelled.

Please take necessary prescription medications such as blood pressure medications and asthma medications with a small amount of water in the morning off the colonoscopy.

If you use any inhalers, please bring them with you to the hospital.

Bring a list of medications and allergies with you and please leave your valuables at home.

Location & Parking

Please arrive at Mercy Digestive Health Center one hour prior to your procedure time. At that time, they will go over your history and put in an IV.

Park on Level 2 of the ramp on 8th Street and enter the building through the North Entrance.

If you experience any difficulty with your prep, call Mercy Gastroenterology Clinic at (319) 369-4542. Nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.