what do the docs use in colonoscopy?

Published

Specializes in babysitting.

i heard an acquaintance say he had a colonoscopy awhile back, but before his doc gave him something that sent him to the rest area 15x's in one day. we were originally talking about colon cleansing. he never answered my question as what laxative they use in hospitals to clean the colon this way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We use GoLytly on our pt's - they have to drink about 2 gallons of it! They also get tap water enemas the day before and the day of the procedure. Of course, all my pt's have spinal cord injuries; people without SCIs take some kind of laxative pill - not sure what it is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Different docs use different preps. Some use the above mentioned GoLytely which is similar to the product Miralax (only one would be taking just a tiny amount as a laxative and many glasses as a colon prep). Some docs prefer a couple of doses of Fleets Phospo-Soda. This one is deceptively powerful, a couple ounces and one will be clean enough for a colonoscopy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Holistic and Aesthetic Medicine.

I usually see Nulytely 5000mL (1 glass q10 min can drop body temp it's so much liquid), Halflytely 2000ml with Bisacodyl, an entire 527gm bottle of Miralax, fleets and bisacodyl, or Visicol 20 tabs the night before and 20 tabs the morning of the procedure. It makes it much more gentle to go on clear liquids for at least 24 hours before the clean out. I used to see people use Mg Citrate but don't see it used as often in my area any more.

Some docs do ask for enemas the morning of the procedure. I saw someone come in who had done a soapy suds enema themselves. They were bubbling internally during the colonoscopy. Waaaaaaaay too much castile soap.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The preps have changed over the years. I've given my share of SSE til clear. Some preps start 2 days before the colonsocopy, with clear liquids, the day before the mag citrate or fleets phospho-soda, one bottle at 3pm, another bottle at 6pm. Seems to work well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I have annual colonoscopies due to a history of colon cancer. My MD uses GoLytely. I hate the stuff; that day before the exam is brutal. But I also have to say that it is very effective.

I like the day of the colonoscopy... good drugs, er, meds!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

I have personally used MoviPrep. The taste is not that horrible. It is used twice the day before the procedure and the only problem I had was just sitting for such a long time (my butt got sore).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In Germany - colon cancer is called the old peoples desease. Their diet is high fiber but guess what? It happens and it is common. My Oma died of colon cancer at age 82 and I would rather too vs having a sore rectume from rectume test plus the fear. My life expectancy is about another 30 years and I have no intention of causeing myself any pains in the rectum during tha time. Thank-you

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just a note all phospho soda laxatives have been recalled, do to rare instances of renal injury. Class action lawsuits are being pursued. :uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.
In Germany - colon cancer is called the old peoples desease. Their diet is high fiber but guess what? It happens and it is common. My Oma died of colon cancer at age 82 and I would rather too vs having a sore rectume from rectume test plus the fear. My life expectancy is about another 30 years and I have no intention of causeing myself any pains in the rectum during tha time. Thank-you

So... you'd rather die than have a colonoscopy? I bet you change your mind the day you're diagnosed with colon cancer and wish you'd had the test. It's really not a big deal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

Each GI doc has a preference based on the patients problem and history. We use Mirilax usually with some suppositories etc. And yes you go to the bathroom a LOT. That is what is supposed to happen because you have to have a totally clean colon. When I had mine I could not get more than 3 feet away from the toilet.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.

At our endo unit, our pts are advised to start clear liquids 2 days before their procedure, then the day before their procedure, they begin their prep, which consists of polyethylene glycol (miralax) and 64 ounces of gatorade. They can continue with clear liquids but nothing else up until 4 hours before their procedure. Their stool should be clear and yellow the morning of the procedure - if not, we do the tap water enema(s) in pre-op until clear. We stopped using phospho soda due to rare incidences of renal failure connected to its use.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion