Colonoscopy Clean-out Instructions
24 hrs before the procedure
NO solid food. Only clear liquids, ice pops or jello (no milk, orange juice or any shakes).
We prefer Gatorade or any sport drinks (any color but NOT RED).
If you are really hungry take some marshmallows, that is the only solid food you are allowed to have.
If you do not wish to use Miralax, there is an alternative cleanout using magnesium citrate below
NO solid food. Only clear liquids, ice pops or jello (no milk, orange juice or any shakes).
We prefer Gatorade or any sport drinks (any color but NOT RED).
If you are really hungry take some marshmallows, that is the only solid food you are allowed to have.
If you do not wish to use Miralax, there is an alternative cleanout using magnesium citrate below
Miralax (Glycolax)/Dulcolax dosage amounts
Age
3-5y 6-11y 12+y |
Dosage of Miralax
4 capfuls of Miralax or Glycolax in 32 ounces of Gatorade 6 capfuls of Miralax or Glycolax in 48 ounces of Gatorade 10 capfuls of Miralax or Glycolax in 80 ounces of Gatorade |
Directions
At 12 Noon: Start drinking Miralax and finish by 6 pm.
Take the Dulcolax:
At 12 Noon: Start drinking Miralax and finish by 6 pm.
Take the Dulcolax:
Age 3-5y Take 1 Dulcolax (5mg tablets-can crush) at 12noon only
Age 6-11 Take 1 Dulcolax (5mg tablet) at 12 noon and 3pm
Age 12+ Take 2 Dulcolax (5mg) at 12 noon and 3pm+
Age 6-11 Take 1 Dulcolax (5mg tablet) at 12 noon and 3pm
Age 12+ Take 2 Dulcolax (5mg) at 12 noon and 3pm+
Food and drink:
All patients are encouraged to take clear liquids*, ice pops or jello (any color but NOT RED) until 6 hours before the colonoscopy.
If you are really hungry, you can have marshmallows.
Babies under 1 year old:
Clear fluids for 24 hours. Please wake your baby 6 hours before the procedure to give a bottle of clear fluid drink. This will keep your baby hydrated.
If your colonoscopy is in the afternoon, start the prep at 4pm and complete all the prep by 10pm. Your child is allowed a light breakfast of water, clear juice and toast at 5:30 am, but be finished with breakfast by 6am.
CLEAR FLUIDS:
Water, Apple Juice,
Pedialyte, except RED colored Pedialyte,
Gatorade, except RED colored Gatorade.
All patients are encouraged to take clear liquids*, ice pops or jello (any color but NOT RED) until 6 hours before the colonoscopy.
If you are really hungry, you can have marshmallows.
Babies under 1 year old:
Clear fluids for 24 hours. Please wake your baby 6 hours before the procedure to give a bottle of clear fluid drink. This will keep your baby hydrated.
If your colonoscopy is in the afternoon, start the prep at 4pm and complete all the prep by 10pm. Your child is allowed a light breakfast of water, clear juice and toast at 5:30 am, but be finished with breakfast by 6am.
CLEAR FLUIDS:
Water, Apple Juice,
Pedialyte, except RED colored Pedialyte,
Gatorade, except RED colored Gatorade.
Miralax alternative using Magnesium Citrate Not recommended for now.
(FDA has recalled this medication) Aug 2022
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
Once recall is cleared, the usual instructions are as below.
Use 10-ounce bottles of chilled Magnesium Citrate.
Either cherry or lemon-lime flavored is acceptable. (Children usually prefer the cherry flavor.) This is acceptable even though it is red.
The child should drink the dose of Magnesium Citrate within 20 minutes.
Age
18 Months – 4 Years
2:00 pm the day before the procedure, give your child ¼ bottle
7:00 pm, give another ¼ bottle. The child’s stools should be watery and clear by 10:00 p.m.
4 Years – 8 Years
At 2:00 pm the day before the procedure, give the child ½ bottle.
7:00 pm, give another ¼ bottle. The child’s stools should be watery and clear by 10:00 p.m.
8 Years – 18 Years
At 2:00 pm the day before the procedure, give the child one bottle.
At 7:00 pm, give another bottle. The child’s stools should be watery and clear by 10:00 p.m.
(FDA has recalled this medication) Aug 2022
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
Once recall is cleared, the usual instructions are as below.
Use 10-ounce bottles of chilled Magnesium Citrate.
Either cherry or lemon-lime flavored is acceptable. (Children usually prefer the cherry flavor.) This is acceptable even though it is red.
The child should drink the dose of Magnesium Citrate within 20 minutes.
Age
18 Months – 4 Years
2:00 pm the day before the procedure, give your child ¼ bottle
7:00 pm, give another ¼ bottle. The child’s stools should be watery and clear by 10:00 p.m.
4 Years – 8 Years
At 2:00 pm the day before the procedure, give the child ½ bottle.
7:00 pm, give another ¼ bottle. The child’s stools should be watery and clear by 10:00 p.m.
8 Years – 18 Years
At 2:00 pm the day before the procedure, give the child one bottle.
At 7:00 pm, give another bottle. The child’s stools should be watery and clear by 10:00 p.m.