Preparation Instructions for Capsule Endoscopy
Gastroenterology
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The day you schedule your appointment
- Plan time off of work for the day of your colonoscopy.
- You MUST have an escort to come into the hospital and take you home after the colonoscopy. Please start making these arrangements.
Seven Days Before Your Appointment
- Fill your prescription for the laxative. If you don’t have the prescription, call our patient navigators at 617-414-2600.
- Stop taking iron pills. Multi-vitamins can be continued.
Two Days Before Your Appointment
- Please ignore all other bowel preparation instructions from any other sources including pharmacists, medicine package inserts, friends/relative and the internet.
- Drink at least eight glasses of water/fluids today.
- STOP eating high fiber foods such as vegetables and beans until after your test. You can eat all other types of foods today.
The Day Before Your Appointment
- ALL DAY TODAY FOLLOW A STRICT CLEAR LIQUID DIET. DO NOT EAT ANY FOOD OR THICK LIQUIDS AT ALL! Examples of clear liquids are water, apple juice, broth (NOT SOUP WITH THINGS IN IT) Jell-O, tea/coffee without milk/cream, sodas, sports drinks, and popsicles, but nothing red colored.
- At 6 p.m., place the mixed laxative solution inside of the fridge to cool. Do not use ice cubes.
- At 8 p.m., drink half of the laxative solution – one cup every 10-15 minutes
- Plan time off of work for the day of your colonoscopy.
The Day of Your Appointment
- Do not eat or drink anything on the morning of your procedure.
- Dress in loose fitting, two-piece clothing
- If you have diabetes: Take half the dose of your insulin on the day of procedure and skip diabetes pill(s) unless directed otherwise. You should check your blood sugar level in the morning.
- Take all of your other regular medications at least two hours prior to your test.
If you cannot keep this appointment or have questions, please call 617-638-6525.