Colonoscopy (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Colonoscopy Introduction
- Risks
- Colonoscopy Preparation
- During the Procedure
- After the Procedure
- Next Steps
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Alternatives
- Considerations for the Future
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- References
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Colonoscopy - Describe Your Experience
Colonoscopy Preparation
A colonoscopy can be carried out in a hospital, clinic, or in a doctor’s office, depending on the facility. You will be given an appointment and a set of instructions to follow before the test is performed.
- Although the exact instructions given may vary from clinic to clinic, their objective is the same: to clean out the contents of the bowel before the test.
- This allows the bowel wall to be seen during the test.
- This system of cleaning the bowel is often called bowel preparation.
- You will be given a combination of liquid diet, laxatives, or enemas for up to 2 days prior to the test with instructions on how to use them. Several medications are available for bowel cleansing, including polyethylene glycol 3350 (GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY), magnesium citrate (Citroma), and senna (X-Prep).
- These medications produce diarrhea, which can be uncomfortable, but unless the bowel is empty of stool, the test can be limited and may need to be repeated at a later date.
- On the night before the test is to be performed, nothing should be taken by mouth (food or liquids) until after the test is finished.
Next: During the Procedure »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Colonoscopy - Describe Your Experience
Please describe your experience with a Colonoscopy.
Important Safety Information
- KAPIDEX may not be right for everyone. You should not take KAPIDEX if you are allergic to KAPIDEX or any of its ingredients. Severe allergic reactions have been reported.
- Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
- The most common side effects of KAPIDEX were diarrhea (4.8%), stomach pain (4.0%), nausea (2.9%), common cold (1.9%), vomiting (1.6%), and gas (1.6%). KAPIDEX and certain other medicines can affect each other. Before taking KAPIDEX, tell your doctor if you are taking ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, or tacrolimus. If you are taking KAPIDEX with warfarin, you may need to be monitored because serious risks could occur.
Uses of KAPIDEX
- Persistent heartburn two or more days a week, despite treatment and diet changes, could be acid reflux disease (ARD). Prescription KAPIDEX capsules are used in adults to treat heartburn related to ARD, to heal acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus (called erosive esophagitis or EE), and to stop EE from coming back. Individual results may vary. Most damage (erosions) heals in 4–8 weeks.
Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. Please see full Prescribing Information for KAPIDEX.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
KAPIDEX™ is a trademark of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., and is used under license by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
LPD-00767
GI Disorders
Get the latest treatment options.
From WebMD
Digestive Disorders Resources
- Slideshow: Reflux Risk and Relief
- Flu or Food Poisoning? How to Tell
- Bladder Game: Can You Beat the Urge?
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Also on eMedicineHealth
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Colonoscopy »
Colonoscopy enables visual inspection of the entire large bowel from the distal rectum to the cecum.

