Colonoscopy Instructions

Hold blood thinners before colonoscopy / endoscopy (discuss with Dr. Cober regarding reason for blood thinner and timing). Most often we hold as follows:

• Eliquix / Xarelto / Pradaxa: hold 2-3 days prior

• Aspirin: hold 7 days prior

• Plavix: hold 7 days prior

• Brilinta: hold 7 days prior

Hold these medications for 1 week prior:

• Iron

• Fish oil

• Vitamin E

• GLP-1 agonists

• SLGLT-2 inhibitors

• Breakfast and lunch: low-fiber food

• Dinner: clear liquids only

• Surgery center will inform by phone the precise arrival time.

• Start laxative prep in the afternoon/evening (choose only one):

• • Suprep (preferred in most patients)

  • Moviprep

  • Golytely (preferred in renal patients)

• We suggest using vaseline or similar ointment and applying perianally to prevent perianal rash/soreness due to the diarrhea caused by the laxatives.

• If the colonoscopy is in the afternoon, do the "split-dose" -- that means that the last dose of laxatives is drunk early in the morning of the procedure day.

• We do not routinely think it is necessary for patients to wake up in the middle of the night to drink the last dose.

• Have someone drive you home and do not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours.

• Liquids and light food okay after procedure.

• If a polyp was removed or biopsies taken, it is generally okay to resume anticoagulants in 12-24 hours.

• If biopsies were taken, expect a call or follow-up appointment to be made in about a week.