Colonoscopy Preparation Instructions: SUPREP
Colonoscopy Preparation Instructions: SUTAB
Appt. Date: ________________ Check-in Time: ____________ Est. Escort Return Time: ______________
Failure to follow these instructions may cause your procedure to be cancelled. Call our office 8am-5pm with any questions or concerns.
A week before
- As you will be receiving sedation for this procedure you must have an escort over the age of 18 to drive you home or accompany you in
an Uber, taxi and/or public transportation. Walking or riding a bike is not an acceptable means of transportation regardless of escort.
Unescorted transportation is not permitted.
- Plan to take it easy on your procedure day. You will not be able to work, drive, operate equipment, or sign any important papers until the
following day. Do not drink alcohol or take sedatives on your procedure day. - Stop eating nuts, popcorn, corn, seeds and small grains (such as quinoa) 1 week prior to your procedure to help clear your colon
- Avoid taking fish oil supplements the week prior to your procedure.
- Throughout this prep you should continue taking all your normally prescribed medications unless you have been otherwise instructed. Check with your insurance company for authorization or deductible. Call us and speak to our Billing Department with any 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.nwgastro.com, to view educational videos, helpful hints, and frequently asked questions.
Please also check our website for our latest COVID guidelines.
Starting 3 days before
- Canceling your procedure after today may result in being charged a fee of $100.00. Short cancellation notice does not allow us to use
this time slot for other patients who have been waiting. - Continue to take a 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, popcorn, corn, seeds, and small grains (such as quinoa).
The day before
- Follow the Allowed Foods instructions in your packet. Stop eating solid food at 3:00 PM. You may have clear liquids*.
- Please follow our instructions. Plan to start taking the preparation at ___________.
- STEP 1: Open the bottle of 12 tablets.
- STEP 2: Fill the provided container with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line). Swallow each tablet with a sip of water and drink the
entire amount of water over 15 to 20 minutes. - STEP 3: Approximately 1 hour after the last tablet is ingested, fill the provided container again with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line),
and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes. - STEP 4: Approximately 30 minutes after finishing the second container of water, fill the provided container with 16 ounces of water (up
to the fill line), and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes. - Continue to drink additional clear liquids* after drinking the first half of your prep, (preferably an electrolyte drink) to maintain hydration.
- Taking the prep will cause diarrhea typically within 1-3 hours, though results may vary. Stay close to a bathroom for the rest of the day.
- If you experience prep-related symptoms, (for example, nausea, bloating, or cramping), pause or slow the rate of drinking the additional
water until your symptoms diminish. - If you experience any unusual side effects, call us at 360-734-1420.
*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.
Your procedure day
- Take your regular medications at least 1 hour prior to taking each dose.
- Continue to consume only clear liquids* until the time listed below, preferably an electrolyte drink.
- The morning of the colonoscopy at __________ (5 to 8 hours prior to the colonoscopy and no sooner than 4 hours from starting Dose 1),
open the second bottle of 12 tablets. - Repeat STEP 1 to STEP 4 from Dose 1.
- IMPORTANT: You must complete all SUTAB tablets and required water at least 3 hours before colonoscopy.
At __________ (3 HOURS BEFORE CHECK-IN) DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN YOUR MOUTH – stop drinking all liquids,
including your prep, clear liquids, hard candy, gum and chewing tobacco. THIS INCLUDES WATER.
- Be sure to bring your insurance card and co-pay but leave other valuables at home. Bring your inhaler if you have one.
- 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., Bellingham WA. Enter through the main front door and head downstairs to NW Endo front desk for
check in.
Instructions for Larger Volume Prep
Depending on your insurance, the preparation selected for you may not be covered and/or may be more expensive than
an alternate such as NuLytely, GoLytely, Peg 3350 or another 4-liter prep. The prescription you were given allows the
pharmacy to substitute to the less expensive option. Be aware that the less expensive option is twice the amount of
liquid to drink. If you use the 4-liter prep, you will drink half the container the evening before your procedure and the
other half on your procedure day. Please follow these instructions:
Mix the solution with 4 quarts of warm water. Shake well until all the powder is dissolved. Plan to drink the first
half of the prep approximately 6-8 hours before you plan to go to bed. Drink an 8-ounce glass every 15 minutes
until half the prep is gone. On your procedure day, start drinking the remaining prep 6 hours before your check-
in time at NW Endoscopy Center. Follow the rest of the instructions on the prep form you were given. If you
start to get nauseous while drinking the prep, slow down. You may want to drink the prep with a straw. You can
also flavor the prep with the packets provided or use Crystal Light.
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.
