Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation

Your bowel preparation instructions are specific to the preparation product you have been prescribed, the time of your colonoscopy, your medical conditions and your regular medicines. Follow only the instructions provided by Cabrini or our rooms for your procedure.

Do not stop, change or delay any regular medicine unless you have received specific instructions from your treating team. If your instructions are unclear or appear different from information on this website, contact our rooms before starting the preparation.

Good bowel preparation helps the specialist examine the bowel lining clearly and reduces the chance that important findings are missed. When the bowel is well prepared, polyps that are found can often be addressed during the same procedure.

The following practical points apply to most preparations. They do not replace the specific instructions provided for your procedure.

• Read the supplied instructions early, ideally as soon as you receive them.
• Obtain the prescribed preparation product in advance.
• Plan to remain near a toilet after starting the preparation.
• Drink only the permitted fluids, in the amounts and at the times described in your supplied instructions.
• Arrange transport home and post-procedure support with a responsible adult.
• Contact the rooms early if you think you may not be able to complete the preparation.

Preparation products, doses and timing differ, and some medicines may require individual advice. Instructions depend on the prescribed product, the procedure time and your personal medical history.

Blood thinners, diabetic medicines, iron supplements and certain other medicines may need individual planning. Any adjustment will be advised by your treating team in writing. Do not make changes based on general information alone. Contact our rooms if you are uncertain.

You will be admitted to the day procedure unit and reviewed by both the surgeon and the anaesthetist. Bring your admission paperwork, a list of your medicines and your Medicare and health fund cards.

Sedation is given through an intravenous line. After the procedure you will rest in the recovery area until you are ready to be discharged. Sedation can affect judgement and coordination for the rest of the day, so you must be collected by a responsible adult and you should not drive, return to work, sign legal or financial documents, or operate machinery for 24 hours.

Contact our rooms or the hospital if you are unsure what to do, cannot complete the preparation, repeatedly vomit or cannot keep fluids down. It is better to call early than to attempt to continue with an incomplete preparation.

Call 000 or attend the nearest emergency department for severe or worsening abdominal pain, collapse or fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion or another severe reaction. Do not wait to speak to the rooms in these situations.