Sigmoidoscopy Preparation
Sigmoidoscopy Preparation
The key to an accurate evaluation of your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract is proper preparation. The thoroughness of this lower intestinal cleaning depends on you. Without your cooperation, the examination cannot accomplish its purpose and may have to be repeated.
If you are taking anticoagulants or blood thinners such as (but not limited to) those listed below, please discuss this with your Health Care Provider. In most circumstances, these medications are temporarily discontinued prior to your procedure.
- Coumadin (warfarin)
- Plavix (clopidogrel)
- Persantine (dipyridamole)
- Aggrenox (aspirin-dipyridamole)
- Effient (prasugrel)
- Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate)
- Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
- Eliquis (apixaban)
Certain weight reduction and diabetic medications can slow the emptying of the stomach and increase the risk of aspiration when sedated for the procedure. Some of these medications need held up to a week before the procedure. If you have not reviewed your medications with us, please contact the office to review. Using the patient portal is the best and most efficient way to communicate with us.
If you have questions or you need to reschedule or cancel your procedure, please call (717) 761-0930.
Supplies
- One Dulcolax (bisacodyl*) rectal suppository.
- Two (2) Fleet enemas*
*These may be purchased at any local pharmacy without a prescription.
The Day Before Procedure
- You may eat a regular diet.
- Take regularly prescribed medication unless instructed to hold anticoagulants or blood thinners, as detailed above.
- At 7:00 p.m., (approximately 2 hours before bedtime), insert 1 Dulcolax rectal suppository.
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the procedure. You may have clear liquids until 4 hours before procedure.
On the Day of the Procedure
- Do not have anything to eat. You may have clear liquids until 4 hours before the procedure. No chewing gum, hard candy, or chewing tobacco at least 4 hours before the procedure.
- At 6:00 a.m., you may take all of your regular medications, unless directed to hold a specific medication with a sip of water.
- Take a Fleet enema 2 hours before your appointment. Follow with the second Fleet enema. You must take 2 Fleet enemas.
- To administer the Fleet enemas: Lay on your left side with your right leg over your left leg. Gently insert the tip of the bottle into your rectum and squeeze the bottle. Administer the entire solution. Hold the solution in your rectum as long as you can before you expel it.
- Please report to your appointment as scheduled. NOTE: Plan to be at the procedure center for about two to two and one-half hours.
- A driver must come with you in order to drive you home after the procedure. You will be sedated for your colonoscopy. You may not drive for 12 hours after the procedure. For later afternoon procedures, drivers must be present no later than 4:00 p.m. The West Shore Endoscopy Center closes at 4:00 p.m.