Colonoscopy Preparation

Using Gavilyte/Colyte and

Simethicone
Date: Arrival time: Appointment time:
Doctor: Location:
7 days before
Adjust your medications starting today if needed. Review the tables on pages 3 to 4 for instructions.
Make sure someone can drive you to the medical center and back home on the day of your procedure. Your
driver may need to wait for you during the procedure and recovery period (about 2 to 3 hours).
Arrange to get your colonoscopy preparation solution and medications this week. You’ll need these the
afternoon before your procedure. Your prescriptions can be delivered to your home within a few days. Order
online at kp.org/pharmacy or call the Kaiser Permanente pharmacy at (888) 218-6245.

3 days before
Stop eating high-fiber foods this morning. This includes whole-grain cereal and bread, beans, seeds, nuts,
popcorn, fruits, and vegetables.

2 days before
Eat normally during the day and continue to avoid high-fiber foods. Don’t drink smoothies, shakes, or milk.
Avoid red, orange, or purple beverages.
Eat a small meal at dinnertime. This is your last solid food before the procedure.

1 day before
Don’t eat any solid food today. Start drinking clear liquids only. Drink at least 1 cup of clear liquids each
hour you’re awake.
• Drink clear liquids such as water, tea (without cream or milk), Gatorade, apple juice, Sprite, 7-Up, or
ginger ale. You may also drink chicken, beef, and vegetable broth, or eat yellow or green Jell-O.
• Don’t drink coffee or alcohol, or consume anything that’s red, orange, or purple.
Make sure you’re at home and near an unoccupied bathroom. The bowel-preparation solution
can work quickly and will cause multiple bowel movements.
Mix Gavilyte/Colyte with 1 gallon (16 cups) of water until it’s dissolved.
6 p.m.
Begin drinking ½ gallon (8 cups) of the mixed Gavilyte/Colyte solution. (Save the remaining
½ gallon for tomorrow.)
Drink 1 cup (8 ounces) every 15 minutes. It should take about 2 hours to finish the ½ gallon.

Evening Keep drinking clear liquids until bedtime. You may need to use the bathroom at night.

HEALTH EDUCATION
Day of your colonoscopy
Don’t eat any solid food.
Take your allowed medications. Review the tables on the next pages for your medication instructions.

Take 2 simethicone (Gas-X) pills.

5 hours before Begin drinking the rest of the Gavilyte/Colyte solution. Drink 1 cup (8 ounces)
appointment time every 15 minutes. It should take about 2 hours to finish the solution.
Take 2 more simethicone (Gas-X) pills after finishing the solution.

Stop drinking all fluids. For example, if your appointment is at 11 a.m., finish
3 hours before
drinking the solution by 8 a.m. If your appointment is earlier in the day, you
appointment time may need to wake up very early in the morning to finish it.

When you come to the medical center

Wear comfortable clothes.
Don’t use makeup, cologne, perfume, or body lotion.
Remove nail polish or artificial nails from at least one finger. We attach an oxygen monitor to the
unpolished fingertip.
Leave valuables (including jewelry and wedding rings) at home.
Bring:
• Valid photo ID.
• Kaiser Permanente ID card.
• Medicare, Medi-Cal, or other health insurance cards, along with any copay.
• A list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, and nutritional or herbal supplements you take.
• A case to store any contact lenses, glasses, or dentures.
• A mobile device and earbuds, if desired.

See page 3 for Medication instructions before your colonoscopy.

View your instructions online at kpdoc.org/colonoscopy.

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Medication instructions
You may need to adjust your medications in the week leading up to your procedure. Review the table for any medications you
take. Ask your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your medications or supplements.

Medication type Instructions

Daily low-dose aspirin

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Continue these as prescribed if you’re currently taking them.

Blood pressure medications such as atenolol,

metoprolol, carvedilol (Coreg), or lisinopril

Vitamins, herbs, supplements, or medications containing

iron

Stop taking these 7 days before your procedure.

Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen
(Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and Excedrin

You may need to adjust these medications on the day

Medications for diabetes before and the morning of your procedure. Review your
instructions on the last page of this document.

Don’t take these the day before or the morning of your

Diuretics (water pills)
procedure.

Blood thinners such as clopidogrel (Plavix), aspirin/

dipyridamole (Aggrenox), warfarin (Coumadin), and
dabigatran (Pradaxa) Ask your doctor if and when it’s safe to stop or adjust these
medications before your procedure.
Anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban
(Eliquis), or edoxaban (Savaysa)

Medications for type 1 diabetes

See page 4 for Diabetes medication instructions before your colonoscopy.

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Diabetes medication instructions
If you have type 1 diabetes, contact your endocrinologist or diabetes care manager for medication instructions.
If you have type 2 diabetes, follow these instructions for the type of medication you take. Contact your doctor or diabetes
care manager if you take a medication that isn’t listed here or if you use an insulin pump.
Day before your colonoscopy
Starting first thing in the morning, check your blood sugar at least every 4 hours. Your blood sugar may drop more quickly
than usual when you’re fasting. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, treat with sugar or glucose tablets. You can also call
the Appointment and Advice Call Center at 866-454-8855.

Medication type Morning dose Afternoon or evening dose

Metformin, Linagliptin, Pioglitazone:

Metformin: Take your usual dose
Take your usual dose.
Oral Glipizide, Prandin: Take ½ your
Glipizide, Prandin: Take ½ your usual dose
usual dose
Empagliflozin: DO NOT TAKE
Injected non-insulin: Liraglutide Take your usual dose
Long-acting insulin: Lantus,
Take ½ your usual dose Take ½ your usual dose
Levemir, Toujeo, Tresiba
Intermediate-acting insulin: NPH,
Take ½ your usual dose Take ½ your usual dose
Humulin N, Novolin N
Rapid/short-acting insulin: Humalog,
Take ½ your usual dose Take ½ your usual dose
Novolog, Regular, Novolin R

Premixed insulin: Humulin 70/30,

Novolin 70/30, Novolog 70/30, Take ½ your usual dose Take ½ your usual dose
Humulin 50/50, Humalog 75/25

Day of your colonoscopy

Before your appointment, check your blood sugar after you complete the preparation solution. Follow the instructions below
for your morning dose. After your procedure, eat a light meal and take your usual afternoon or evening dose.

Medication type Morning dose

Metformin, Linagliptin, Pioglitazone: Take your usual dose
Oral
Glipizide, Prandin, Empagliflozin: DO NOT TAKE
Injected non-insulin: Liraglutide Take your usual dose
Long-acting insulin: Lantus, Levemir, If blood sugar is over 150: Take ½ usual dose
Toujeo, Tresiba If blood sugar is under 150: DO NOT TAKE
Intermediate-acting insulin: NPH, If blood sugar is over 150: Take ½ usual dose
Humulin N, Novolin N If blood sugar is under 150: DO NOT TAKE
Rapid/short-acting insulin: Humalog,
DO NOT TAKE
Novolog, Regular, Novolin R
Premixed insulin: Humulin 70/30,
If blood sugar is over 150: Take ½ usual dose
Novolin 70/30, Novolog 70/30,
If blood sugar is under 150: DO NOT TAKE
Humulin 50/50, Humalog 75/25

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other
health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult your doctor. If you have questions
or need more information about your medication, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or
products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only. Some photos may include models and not actual patients.
© 2015, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Health Engagement Consulting Services.
010731-299 (Revised 10/22) RL 6.0