Microsoft word - miralax_prep.doc

GARY GETTENBERG, M.D.
1630 East 14th Street
JOSEPH DURZIEH, M.D.
Brooklyn, New York 11229
ANDY FAN, M.D.
Phone (718) 339-0391
JESSE VOZICK, M.D.
Fax (718) 339-6923
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
PREPARATION FOR A COLONOSCOPY
WITH MIRALAX
The goal of the preparation is to clear out your large intestine so that the colonoscopy will be
able to see the entire colon.

PURCHASE:
64oz. Powerade or similar electrolyte drink. Avoid red color, as it does color your stools. 238-gram bottle of MiraLax (over-the-counter, no prescription necessary) 4 Dulcolax Laxative Tablets (over-the-counter, no prescription necessary)
DAY BEFORE EXAM:
Drink only clear liquids 24 hours before the exam –NO SOLID FOOD, no milk or milk products, and no juice
that contains pulp.
You should have: water, apple juice, white grape juice, 7-Up, ginger-ale, iced tea, tea with sugar or honey, coffee
with sugar (no milk), clear broth until 4 hours before test. Please drink as much as comfortably possible so that
you do not get dehydrated.
3 P.M. or earlier:
Take 4 pills of Dulcolax with a glass of water 1. Mix the 238-gram bottle of MiraLax in 64oz. Powerade or similar electrolyte drink in pitcher or other large container (mix and shake solution until MiraLax is dissolved.) Drink an 8 oz. glass every 15-20 minutes until the solution is finished. Drink slowly and take a break if you feel full, but eventually finish it! 2. Continue drinking clear liquids until bedtime. 3. Activities and movement are recommended. You may exercise. 4. Please be sure to drink plenty of liquids all day, so that your colon will be properly flushed and you will not become
PLEASE REMEMBER NOT TO TAKE ASPIRIN OR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
MEDICATIONS FOR 7 DAYS BEFORE THE EXAM. (Tylenol is OK). Let us know if you have
any allergies, bleeding tendencies or if you take Coumadin, Plavix or any other blood thinner!.
NOTHING TO DRINK 4 HOURS BEFORE THE EXAM.
MAKE SURE TO ARRANGE FOR AN ESCORT AFTER THE PROCEDURE.
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE.
Please take blood pressure/ heart medications (not aspirin) with a sip of water at your usual
times on the day of the procedure.

No gum or sucking candy in the morning of the procedure day.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
PATIENTS WITH DIABETES:
Usually should cut their doses of anti-diabetic medications the day before, and because they are not eating may have juices and other liquids. However, please discuss with your physician any specific recommendations. Please mix Miralax with diet iced tea. IS MIRALAX THE SAME AS GLYCOLAX?
HOW LONG WILL THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
Pre-procedure, procedure and recovery should take about 2-3 hours. CAN I DRIVE AFTERWARDS?
CAN I GO TO WORK?
Based on your physician’s recommendations, you may go to work afterwards (depending on your job). You cannot operate heavy machinery, drive or use public transportation alone. MEDICATIONS:
Any specific questions should be addressed to your physician. Usually chronic medications such as cardiac or high blood pressure medications should be continued and taken as prescribed. Discuss any blood thinner medications with your doctor. WILL THE PROCEDURE REPORT BE SEND TO MY DOCTOR?
Please provide name and address of your doctor. It will be our pleasure to mail the report. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please call us! A pre-operative nurse may try to contact you prior to the day of your test to review your medical history, as a courtesy to facilitate the admitting process on the day of your procedure. Federal law mandates the disclosure that Gary Gettenberg, MD is one of the principals of Brooklyn Endoscopy and Amsurg Center, LLC.

Source: http://www.gibrooklyn.com/MiraLax_prep.pdf