Colonoscopy Preparation Instructions: MiraLAX
Failure to follow these instructions may cause your procedure to be cancelled.
Call our office @ 360-734-1420 between 8am-5pm with any questions or concerns
Appt. Date: _________________ Check-in Time: _________________ Estimated Escort Return Time: _________________
A week before procedure
- You will receive sedation for this procedure, and you must have an escort over the age of 18 to drive you home or accompany you in an Uber, taxi or public transportation. Walking or riding a bike or motorcycle is not an acceptable means of transportation regardless of escort. Unescorted transportation is not permitted unless you take a medically approved transport service.
- Plan to take it easy on the day of procedure. Plan not to work, drive, operate equipment, or sign any important papers until the following day. Do not drink alcohol or take sedatives on the procedure day. You can resume your normal activities the following day.
- Stop eating nuts, seeds, popcorn, corn, berries, and small grains (such as quinoa) 1 week prior to your procedure.
- Avoid taking fish oil supplements the week prior to your procedure.
- Throughout this prep you should continue taking all your normally prescribed medications unless instructed differently.
- Check with your insurance company for authorization or deductible. Our Billing Department can assist with insurance or billing concerns.
- Pick up your prep at the pharmacy if you have not already done so.
- You may find it useful to visit our website, www.nwgastroendo.com, to view educational videos, helpful hints, and frequently asked questions.
Starting 3 days before procedure
- If you need to reschedule your procedure, please call procedure scheduling at (360) 734-1420. Appointments cancelled less than 48 hours in advance will be subject to a no-show/late cancellation fee of $250.
- Continue to take your daily aspirin if you normally take one.
- Stay well hydrated. Drink up to 8 glasses of fluids throughout the day in addition to eating your regular diet.
- Avoid eating obviously greasy, oily or fried foods, and continue to avoid nuts, seeds, etc., as listed above.
- In the morning and evening, take 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia both today and tomorrow.
The day before procedure
- Follow the diet instructions in your packet. Stop eating food at 3:00 PM. Continue to stay well hydrated by drinking up to 8 glasses of clear liquids throughout the day in addition to drinking your preparation. Clear liquids include water, fat-free broth, Jello, coconut water, clear fruit juices, non-cola soft drinks, coffee or tea (no milk/creamer), popsicles, clear hard candies, electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade/Powerade. Liquids that are red, purple or bright blue or have pulp are not allowed.
- We recommend that you start drinking the MiraLAX prep at __________. Mix ½ of the 238–255-gram bottle of MiraLAX with 32-ounces of Gatorade or Propel. Drink an 8-oz glass of MiraLAX mixture every 15 minutes until gone. Continue to drink additional clear liquids*, (preferably an electrolyte drink taken at your own pace.
- Drinking the prep will cause diarrhea typically within 1-3 hours, though results may vary. Plan to stay close to the bathroom..
- If you become nauseated or vomit while drinking the prep, take a break and resume drinking prep when symptoms subside. Some people do better if they drink through a straw. Adjust temperature with ice, do not put the drink in the refrigerator.
- If you are unable to keep the prep down or are experiencing any unusual side effects, call us at 360-734-1420.
Procedure day
- At __________ drink the remaining bottle of Miralax. Follow the prep with at least THREE 8-ounce drinks of clear liquids (preferably an electrolyte drink). You can drink additional clear liquids until the time listed below.
- Take your regular medications before the time listed directly below unless instructed otherwise. Bring your inhaler if you have one.
At __________ (3 hours before check-in) STOP drinking ALL liquids – this includes water. Nothing further by mouth: no hard candy, no gum and no chewing tobacco.
- Be sure to bring your insurance card and co-pay but leave other valuables at home or in the care of your escort.
- Escorts are encouraged to remain in their vehicles when waiting at the center. A staff member will contact your escort when your procedure is completed with further instructions. When you are ready for discharge, your escort will pick you up at the back of the building in one of the designated parking spots.
- Our address is 3111 Woburn St., Suite 101, Bellingham WA. Enter through the main front door and head downstairs to NW Endo front desk for check in.
Additional Instructions
Diabetic patients – please follow the guidelines below unless you’ve been instructed otherwise by your doctor:
- If you take an oral medication or a standing insulin dose, take ½ your normal dose the evening prior to your procedure and hold your normal dose until after your procedure.
- If you take a sliding insulin dose, take as needed the day prior to your procedure and hold until after your procedure.
- If you have an insulin pump, please follow instructions provided by your doctor.
