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.
Please Note:
You must follow the instructions exactly in order to cleanse your colon adequately. If your colon is not properly prepared, it may result in the cancellation of your procedure. Please review the “Why it is important to get cleaned out?” (PDF) document to ensure you’re correctly prepared for your procedure.
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)
Diet Modifications Prior To Your Procedure
Please review instructions for a low fiber (PDF) and clear liquid (PDF) diet prior to your procedure.
Colonoscopy Procedure Instruction Sheets & Videos
4-LITER PREP: Colonoscopy Procedure Instruction Sheet & Videos
Colonoscopy 4-Liter Prep (PDF)
Please refer to both the above “Colonoscopy 4-Liter Prep" PDF document,” as well as the corresponding step-by-step videos below.
SUPREP: Colonoscopy Procedure Instruction Sheet & Videos
Colonoscopy Prep (Suprep) (PDF)
Please refer to both the above “Colonoscopy Prep (Suprep) PDF document,” as well as the corresponding step-by-step videos below.
DIABETIC PATIENT PREP: Colonoscopy Procedure Instruction Sheet
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/Endoscopy 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. Click here to view a directional map (PDF).
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.
