To prepare for a colonoscopy, you may need to avoid fiber in the days leading up to your appointment and follow a clear liquid diet beginning the day before. Preparation also involves taking laxatives.

A colonoscopy exam allows a doctor to see the inside of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. It’s one of the most efficient ways for doctors to:

It’s also an exam many people dread. The test itself is brief, and most people are under monitored anesthesia care during it. You won’t feel or see anything, and recovery generally takes only a few hours. Preparing for the exam, however, can be unpleasant.

That’s because your colon needs to be empty and clear of waste. This requires a series of strong laxatives to clean your intestines in the hours prior to the procedure. You’ll need to stay in a bathroom for several hours, and you’ll likely have to manage some uncomfortable side effects, like diarrhea.

When a doctor requests a colonoscopy, they’ll provide you with information on how to prepare for it, what products to use, and what you can expect. This information will likely break down what you need to do by the day.

Although the timeline below can give you a general understanding of the process, your doctor is your best resource if you have any questions or concerns.

Get a head start on your preparations and head to the store at least a week before your colonoscopy. Here’s what you might need:

Laxatives

Some doctors still prescribe laxative medication. Others recommend a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) products. Buy the products your doctor recommends, and if you have any questions, call your doctor’s office before the day you’re meant to prep.

Moist wipes

Regular toilet paper may be too harsh after several trips to the bathroom. Consider looking for moist or medicated wipes, or wipes with aloe and vitamin E. These products contain ingredients that can soothe irritated skin.

Diaper cream

Before your prep starts, some people find it helpful to cover their rectum with a diaper cream like Desitin and reapply throughout the prep. This can help prevent skin irritation from the diarrhea and wiping.

Approved foods and sports drinks

As you get closer to your colonoscopy, you’ll need to adjust your diet by consuming foods that make cleaning out your colon easier. Stock up on those now.

They include:

You’ll likely need to mix your laxative with a liquid. The amount of liquid you’ll need will depend on the type of laxative, so be sure to check requirements before hand and plan accordingly. Sports drinks or light-colored, flavored beverages can help make taking the medication easier.

At this time, you should start adjusting your diet to include foods that are easier to pass through your digestive system.

Low fiber foods

Switch to low fiber foods at least 5 days before your exam. Some options include:

  • white bread
  • pasta
  • rice
  • eggs
  • lean meats like chicken and fish
  • well-cooked veggies without the skin
  • fruit without skin or seeds

Soft foods

Switching to a soft-food diet at least 48 hours before the colonoscopy may make your preparation easier. Soft foods include:

  • scrambled eggs
  • smoothies
  • vegetable purees and soups
  • soft fruits, like bananas

Foods to avoid

During this time, you also need to avoid foods that can be hard to digest or get in the way of the camera during your colonoscopy. These include:

  • fatty, fried foods
  • tough meats
  • whole grains
  • seeds, nuts, and grains
  • popcorn
  • raw vegetables
  • vegetable skins
  • fruit with seeds or skins
  • broccoli, cabbage, or lettuce
  • corn
  • beans and peas

Medications

Ask your doctor whether you should continue to take any prescription medications during your prep or if you should stop until after the procedure. Be sure to also ask about any vitamins, supplements, or OTC medications you use daily.

Special diet considerations when preparing for a colonoscopy

People with certain underlying conditions may need to change some specifics regarding how they prepare for a colonoscopy.

For example, people with heart or kidney failure may be at increased risk of illness from dangerous electrolyte shifts. These electrolyte shifts may also affect older adults and people with high blood pressure.

If you have diabetes or experience hypoglycemia, you may need to monitor your glucose levels more closely and adjust accordingly.

No matter your diet in the days before your colonoscopy, you must switch to a clear liquid diet the whole day before your examTrusted Source. That’s because your body needs time to eliminate waste from your colon, so your colonoscopy is a success.

If your colon isn’t clear, your doctor may have to reschedule the appointment for a later date. That means you’ll need to prep again in the future.

It’s important to stay hydrated during this time. You can eat and drink any clear liquids you want, but a good rule of thumb is 8 ounces per hour that you’re awake. Chug a glass of water or sports drink every hour, and you shouldn’t have any issues.

It’s time to begin cleaning out your colon of any remaining waste. To do this, your doctor will prescribe a strong laxative.

Most doctors now recommend a split dose of laxatives: You take half the mixture the evening before your exam and finish the second half 6 hours before your exam. You may also take pills at the beginning of the process.

If your exam is early in the morning, you may begin the process 12 hours before the scheduled start of your colonoscopy and finish the dose before midnight.

The laxative may be difficult to swallow because of its bitter taste. Try these techniques to make it easier:

  • Mix it with a sports drink: Flavored drinks can cover any unpleasant taste.
  • Chill it: Mix the drink and laxative 24 hours before you’re set to begin the prep. Refrigerate it so the drinks are cold. Chilled drinks are sometimes easier to swallow.
  • Use a straw: Place the straw at the back of your throat where you’re less likely to taste it when swallowing.
  • Chase it: After you drink the laxative, squeeze a bit of lemon or lime juice in your mouth to kill the taste. You can also use hard candy.
  • Add flavorings: Ginger, lime, and other aromatics add a lot of flavor to liquids. That may make drinking the laxative more pleasant.

Once you take the laxative, your intestines will begin pushing out any remaining waste very quickly. This will cause frequent, forceful diarrhea. It can also cause:

  • cramping
  • bloating
  • abdominal discomfort
  • nausea
  • vomiting

If you have hemorrhoids, they may become inflamed and irritated.

These tips may help make you more comfortable during the process:

  • Set up shop in the bathroom: You’ll be spending a lot of time here, so make yourself comfortable. Bring a computer, tablet, TV, or other device that can help you pass the time.
  • Use comfort products: If you purchased wipes, creams, and lotions prior to your prep, now’s the time to use them to make your bottom more comfortable.

Don’t eat or drink anything — even water — 3 hours before your procedure. This step is important to help prevent you from getting sick after your procedure.

People who drink right before the procedure risk getting sick and breathing stomach contents into their lungs while sedated.

Some hospitals request a longer window without liquids, so follow their instructions.

You’ll need to avoid taking anything by mouth. This includes smoking or chewing gum.

The prep for a colonoscopy, as well as the recovery, may be uncomfortable and inconvenient. However, the alternative — not finding and diagnosing potential problems, including colon cancer — is much worse.

Be sure to follow any directions your doctor provides, and don’t be afraid to ask if you have any questions. It’s also worth noting that if your colonoscopy is successful, you may not need another one for 10 yearsTrusted Source.