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Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350) and Gatorade can be used alone or in conjunction with over the counter laxatives like bisacodyl. If an over the counter laxative is also recommended by your physician, it is usually used about 1 hour before the bowel cleansing agent. There are 2 main ways to take your bowel cleansing agent: the day before regimen or the split dose regimen. This regimen (Miralax and Gatorade) has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy. It is however popular among some gastroenterology practices and patients.
Day-Before Bowel Preparation For Colonoscopy Using Miralax and Gatorade
What do I do a day before the colonoscopy?
- Have a clear liquid diet throughout the day. Clear liquid diet excludes red and purple colored substances. No solid foods, milk products, fruits, seeds & nuts.
- Be sure to keep hydrated by drinking 8oz of clear liquid every hour.
- If you have diabetes mellitus, you may need to take half the dose of your medication while on clear liquid diet. Please, talk to your provider about this.
- Mix 255 g of MiraLax with 64 oz of low-calorie Gatorade
- Drink the solution at a rate of 8 oz every 10 min starting at 5:00-6:00PM.
What do I do on the day of the colonoscopy?
- You may take your morning medications as usual unless as directed by your doctor.
- Avoid further fluid intake 2hrs before your scheduled colonoscopy.
- If you are diabetic, do not take oral diabetic medications or short-acting insulin on the day of your colonoscopy. Talk to your provider about this.
Split-Dose Bowel Preparation For Colonoscopy Using Miralax and Gatorade
What do I do a day before the colonoscopy?
- Have a clear liquid diet throughout the day. Clear liquid diet excludes red and purple colored substances. No solid foods, milk products, fruits, seeds & nuts.
- Be sure to keep hydrated by drinking 8oz of clear liquid every hour.
- If you have diabetes mellitus, you may need to take half the dose of your medication while on clear liquid diet. Please, talk to your provider about this.
- Mix 255 g of MiraLax with 64 oz of low-calorie Gatorade
- Drink 32 oz of the solution at a rate of 8 oz every 10 min starting at 5:00-6:00PM.
What do I do on the day of the colonoscopy?
- Drink the remaining 32 oz of solution starting 4 hours before start of your colonoscopy procedure at a rate of 8 oz every 10 min.
- Avoid further fluid intake 2hrs before your scheduled colonoscopy.
- If you are diabetic, do not take oral diabetic medications or short-acting insulin on the day of your colonoscopy. Talk to your provider about this.
Day-Before Bowel Preparation For Colonoscopy Using Miralax and Gatorade and Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
What do I do a day before the colonoscopy?
- Have a clear liquid diet throughout the day. Clear liquid diet excludes red and purple colored substances. No solid foods, milk products, fruits, seeds & nuts.
- Be sure to keep hydrated by drinking 8oz of clear liquid every hour.
- If you have diabetes mellitus, you may need to take half the dose of your medication while on clear liquid diet. Please, talk to your provider about this.
- Take 4 tablets of bisacodyl (Dulcolax) around 3:00-4:00PM.
- Mix 255 g of MiraLax with 64 oz of low-calorie Gatorade
- Drink the solution at a rate of 8 oz every 10 min starting at 5:00-6:00PM.
What do I do on the day of the colonoscopy?
- You may take your morning medications as usual unless as directed by your doctor.
- Avoid further fluid intake 2hrs before your scheduled colonoscopy.
- If you are diabetic, do not take oral diabetic medications or short-acting insulin on the day of your colonoscopy. Talk to your provider about this.
Split-Dose Bowel Preparation For Colonoscopy Using Miralax and Gatorade and Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
What do I do a day before the colonoscopy?
- Have a clear liquid diet throughout the day. Clear liquid diet excludes red and purple colored substances. No solid foods, milk products, fruits, seeds & nuts.
- Be sure to keep hydrated by drinking 8oz of clear liquid every hour.
- If you have diabetes mellitus, you may need to take half the dose of your medication while on clear liquid diet. Please, talk to your provider about this.
- Take 4 tablets of bisacodyl (Dulcolax) around 3:00-4:00PM.
- Mix 255 g of MiraLax with 64 oz of low-calorie Gatorade
- Drink 32 oz of the solution at a rate of 8 oz every 10 min starting at 5:00-6:00PM.
What do I do on the day of the colonoscopy?
- Drink the remaining 32 oz of solution starting 4 hours before start of your colonoscopy procedure at a rate of 8 oz every 10 min.
- Avoid further fluid intake 2hrs before your scheduled colonoscopy.
- If you are diabetic, do not take oral diabetic medications or short-acting insulin on the day of your colonoscopy. Talk to your provider about this.
I did this prep today and plenty other liquids and it doesn’t work
Please, contact your provider. I rarely recommend this bowel prep because it is not FDA approved. It is however liked by patients and physician practices due to its tolerability.
Worked perfect for me
I’m getting concerned… I’m doing this prep right now and not a whole lot is happening…. Can I take more dulcolax tonight before midnight???
Please, contact your physician.
It’s all done. It did end up working. Everything went great! Thanks!
I did end up taking 3 dulcolax Midway during my Gatorade miralax prep.
Just know I did same prep before my colonoscopy endoscopy and I thought it would work straight away but just know it takes awhile to work.And when it works man does it work.DONT do anything to try and speed things along out of thinking it’s not working.They give these instructions to patients everyday and trust me follow exactly what it says.The Miralax Gatorade mix should be drank in split fashion so I take first half (64oz bottle)at 4 the second half at 6(keep second half in fridge)then 2 dulcolax at 8pm then that’s it for treatments and let it do it’s job.For me nothing to eat or drink after midnight cuz procedure at 7:30am.Hope it helps but follow drs instructions
Thanks for your comment.
I finished the prep 4 hours ago, but my stool is still a greenish color similar to the light blue Gatorade I drank for the prep. How normal/abnormal is that?
As of the time of this reply, I am sure you have already done your colonoscopy. I hope it went well.
My doctor’s prep instructions are basically the “Split-Dose Bowel Preparation For Colonoscopy Using Miralax and Gatorade and Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)”. However, the split doses are to be taken at 6pm and 10pm the day before and my colonoscopy is scheduled for noon tomorrow.
Is this approach common?
Using the 2nd dose 4-5 hrs before your colonoscopy has been shown to lead to better bowel prep. Having said this, you should always follow the specific instructions of your physician. Good luck!
This is my 2nd time doing this prep with the lavitive and Gatorade/miralax and it works like a charm. You take the laxatives 1 hour before. Then start the gatorade mixture and it takes about an hour to also 2 to finish up the drink mix. Then the gurgle guts begins and yes stay close to the toilet because it comes out like water. Then I will take 2 more lacitives. Almost 4 hrs later and I’m clean as a whistle
I haven’t quite finished the Gatorade/miralax combo but my bowel movements are totally clear. Do I need to finish it
I’m glad your bowel movements are clear. You should still finish it. Good luck!
I’m done with the miralax my bowels are just yellow water am I clear?
It looks like you are clear. Be sure to finish all your bowel prep and keep hydrated. Good luck!
Had my every fifth year colonoscopy today, because of my Dad, who had colon cancer twice.
Did the Miralax & Dulcolax split prep, as usual. Also drank a bottle of that magnesium citric before going to bed. I looked pretty clear with just some brown splashing on the sides of the toilet.
However, getting home, I was starved and my Wife made me a big breakfast. Now that prep or laxative must still be working, because I am now having some loose BROWN stool.
Hope I in fact was clear enough, three “3” mm polyps removed and a diagnosis that I also now have some Diverticular pocket, as my Dad also had.
Finished my first 32oz., and it’s not even 7:00 pm. Procedure is scheduled in the morning at 8:00(arrive 6:30).
Could I finish the next 32oz. before midnight, so I can get some sleep?
Follow the specific instruction of your physician. Some allow using everything the night before while others split the dose. Good luck!
My nurse didn’t specify a flavor. I picked low sugar grape. Will this mess things up? I’m half done!
No, It shouldn’t.
Purple or red shouldn’t be used .. according to my prep instructions. We’re you ok?
Most bowel prep instructions say “no red or purple” because some fear they may be mistaken for blood in the colon. For the most part, the color of your stool changes to brown or yellow as your food goes through the digestion process and mixes with bile.
I was told not to drink or eat anything red or purple
The idea behind the instruction to avoid red or purple is to prevent the doctor from confusing red coloring for blood. Most of the time, whatever you drink or eat is already digested by the time it gets to the colon. With high definition screens and dynamic images, this confusion rarely happens.
Why I still ice cream not allowed the day before your procedure?
Ice cream is a diary product. Diary products like milk are discouraged because they tend to be constipating. Our bodies behave differently and ice cream a day before colonoscopy may be okay for some. The instructions tend to be generic to cover everyone. Follow the specific instructions of your provider. Split the dose of your bowel cleansing agent and make sure to finish it.
Is it okay to use the red Gatorade? I’m not having the colony procedure done.
Even though some people say to avoid red so that red liquid is not mistaken for blood, you can have red Gatorade.
How much cramping will I get when taking the split miralax cleanse? I have really bad IBS and I am very afraid.
Most people are able to tolerate the bowel prep even if they have IBS. Make sure you stay hydrated.
I did the miralax and gatorade, had the colonoscopy today, came home and immediately had a bowel movement. Now what? I had a bowel resection 3 years ago because of a large adenoma. Am I in danger of another if I wasn’t cleaned out? The doctor gave me the ok after the procedure. Should I tell him about the bowel movement? Thanks
You may have bowel movements after a colonoscopy. If your doctor said your were clean and there are pictures to prove it, then you must have been clean.
I’m a 53 year old woman having my first colonoscopy in three days. I’m doing the split miralax, gatorade, dulcolax.
I also have IBS that started shortly after the discovery of my heart defect after a major angina attack painfully paralyzed me seemingly for a long time, but (probably for just a short time) while asleep one early morning in bed in July of 2016.
I have a congenital heart defect and take halfspirin in the a.m. and diltiazem each night.
Apart from now freely bleeding from even tiny cuts, I was not directed to stop taking my heart meds.
My bigger fear is not the prep so much as the anesthesia. I’ve always had a good, low resting heart rate, and 110 over 70 bp. Now my bp is always about 95 over 60 and resting rate is still 60. I’m more afraid of being knocked out, that I won’t wake up.
I suppose I am just looking for reassurance, and maybe specific calming techniques before I go in. I have meditated in the past, and that’s all I know to do before the procedure.
You don’t have to stop aspirin before colonoscopy.
There are different ways to sedate a patient for colonoscopy. Colonoscopy can be done without sedation; with minimal sedation, with moderate sedation; with deep sedation; and with general anesthesia.
Talk to your physician regarding your concerns and options for sedation.
Good luck!
I.have a colonoscopy scheduled for 6:30 am. I used ducolax yesterday afternoon, but needed to use 2 pills, then 1 hours later 2 more. Then when i started my miralax prep with apple juice, i started vomiting. Each time i get ready to drink more the same thing happens. What should I do?
Wait about 30 minutes before resuming your bowel cleansing agent. Take small sips. If problem persists, call your physician. You may need medication for nausea and vomiting. You may need a different bowel cleansing agent. Read “Adverse Events (Side Effects) of Bowel Preparation Agents and How to Handle Them.” Good luck!
My prep was in two parts, Doculax and Miralax the night before and again the next day, 5 hours prior to the procedure. I actually started part two 7 hours before, for fear of not being emptied before I had to leave for the hospital. My stool was clear with last bowel movement 90 minutes before the procedure. After the colonoscopy, every time I expelled gas, it was like I was going through the prep all over again, which was mighty inconvenient since I was on a five hour drive to Chicago. It was quite yellow, but not completely clear. One polyp was removed. Was I clean enough to have had an effective colonoscopy?
You must have been clean otherwise your doctor should have informed you. It is not uncommon to continue to stool after your colonoscopy as the prep may still be working through you. Your colonoscopy report should have pictures of your colon and a grade for your cleanliness.
Miralax does not come in 255g bottle. It comes in a 238 g bottle ( 14 doses not 15 doses) . Should your instructions be rewritten or should a larger bottle be puchased.
You are confusing the net weight that includes the bottle with the actual laxative weight. This is something that is available on google search. Miralax is available in 3 packages: 14oz/255g, 26oz/527g, and carton of 12 individual packets of single 17g dose.
I have a colonoscopy scheduled for 6:30am tomorrow morning. The prep my doctor suggested was the split-dose miralax with dulcolax, AND included the consumption of 20 oz. mag. citrate… I have had many colonoscopies in the past, and knowing that my system moves very quickly, in addition to being a very regular pooper (2-3x per day) I chose to skip the mag. citrate.
After the first 32 oz. of gatorade/miralax mixture and 20mg of dulcolax, my stool seemed to indicate I was clear. However, it’s now been 6hrs since I finished the first portion of the prep and as I have begun drinking the second 32 oz. of the mixture, I am passing what appears to be brown mucus… Are these bowel secretions that will be cleared by finishing the rest of the prep? I’ve never had a poor prep before, and I used this same method for my last colonoscopy 3 years ago.
The intestine continue to produce mucus and other things that constitute stool. This is why the split dose regimen leads to cleaner colon. Take the 2nd dose and follow all other instructions. Good luck!
Everyone here is having their colonoscopy first thing in the morning. I was instructed to take the 4 Dulcolax at 3 pm. Then start the full 64 oz regiment of Miralax at 4 pm. But I don’t arrive at the hospital until 9:30 with 4 other colonoscopies with the same dr. I was told I may be first or I may be last or anywhere in between. Nothing by mouth after midnight. And I going to still be clean? No one mentioned the low sugar drinks. I recently gave up diet Pepsi. I am not sick from their suggestion of Tang! I will likely never drink it again!
Tough situation not knowing your exact colonoscopy time. It looks like your physician gave you the day-before regimen instead of the split-dose regimen. Your physician knows you well. Follow his instructions. Good luck!
Started this prep at 2:00. 4 duclox and now it 5:30 and still nothing happening. I am worried sick.
My prep calls for 2 rounds of the Miramax with Gatorade, first round at 3. 2md round at 7 , and then 4 dulcolax at 8, my colonoscopy is scheduled for 8 a m. Should I have taken the dulcolax first
Most people recommend taking the dulcolax first before using the bowel cleansing agent. Some people may recommend differently. Always follow the advice of your physician.
I just had my first colonoscopy at 53. I bought the suprep but it has sucralose and I’m allergic to sugar substitutes plus I have salt sensitive high blood pressure. I’m also one who easily faints from not eating and was worried. My dr didn’t want sugar with the Miralax but I added 1/2 cup of Gatorade w sugar to the 7 1/2 of water. I took the advice I read to eat easy the few days before- turkey breast on white bread, chicken and egg noodles- no fruit/fiber for days. I drank a lot of Gatorade, coconut water, and bone broth the prep morning. Took 2 Dulcolax, and started drinking 1 cup of Miralax mixture every 1/2 hour. By cup 6, I was clear and yellow. Dr said to finish the next 2 cups, but I could avoid the last 2 Dulcolax. Then I drank more fluids like crazy until midnite so I liked getting it over. I was still going the morning of procedure and through the day so it really worked. But I eat a healthy diet mostly- no fast food, avoided red meat, fruits. I totally recommend this prep because I didn’t have cramps, and felt fine and not hungry. The morning of, though, I felt weak and taking my bp beta blocker on an empty stomach had me feel kind of faint plus I was still going. I don’t know how this prep doesn’t work for some, but we are all different. I was still going 2 days later but I’m glad I didn’t do the suprep, which I think would’ve been too rough plus salt based.
I just learned this is the prep that I will be using before surgery. I assume it tastes better than the usual preps?? Also why low calorie flavors?
In general Miralax/Gatorade taste better. It requires no prescription. Gatorade or Powerade. Powerade contains less sugar than Gatorade. G2 Gatorade contains less sugar than regular Gatorade. Low calorie Gatorade or Powerade are sometimes recommended for patients with diabetes mellitus. No red flavors.
Just want to say this prep can take a bit to work but it does work. It obviously goes down easier than the prescription options so one can drink it as fast as needed without it coming back up. Just be sure to stay hydrated through the process. You will feel much better if you do.
I mixed the miralax with only 32 oz of gator by mistake. What should I do?
Can you add the remaining 32 oz of Gatorade? Are you doing day before prep, split dose prep or same day prep? Good luck!
I have done this prep for all the colonoscopies I have not. I like doing it this way.
I was prescribed Gavalyte and it was gross, i mentioned to the nurse i was seeing that i cant stomach medicinal liquids, she mentioned the miralax to me. I got the gavalyte, took a couple gulps and gagged. Switched to an 8.3 oz bottle of miralax mixed with yellow Gatorade and ended up taking 3 dulcolax early on and 3 more at 10pm. Procedure was scheduled for 10am the next say. Stool was a yellow/biley color and no problems with the colonoscopy, so it worked. I reccomend this process.
I’m not sure I can drink that much. I don’t drink 32oz of anything on any day. I only weigh 90lbs….do you think I could drink less than someone who weighs, lets say 150? I need to have this procedure done but the clean out is my problem. I don’t care for Gatorade….but of course HATE the other prep. Can you do some of the drink and do an enema? I’ve got to find an easier way to clean out. I do low residue diet days before and that helps but is there ANY OTHER WAY without so much drinking?
If you do the split-dose regimen, it makes it more tolerable.
Read https://bowelprepguide.com/how-to-hack-your-colonoscopy/
Read https://bowelprepguide.com/how-to-use-your-bowel-cleansing-agents/
I was prescribed 4 ducolax at noon and miralax with 64 oz. of Gatorade and it is working!
Can you Mix Miralax with Gatorade then place refrigerator for 6 hours before starting to drink?
Yes. Having bowel cleansing agents chilled makes them easier to drink. Good luck!
Once you take the 4 Ducolax and then 1/2 the Gatorade/Miralax do you go all night or just until late that night? I just finished my Gatorade mixture and it’s 7:30 pm
I mixed the gatorade with half ice water . Goes down better for me.Stayed hydrated and worked quickly .kept drinking ice water to continue to stay hydrated.
Has anyone had the colonoscpy without sedation? I was reading that in most other country’s no-sedation Colonscopy was the norm if someone wanted sedation had to ask for it. I read that you don’t feel anything more then bloating from the gas they use. I would rather not have all the IV’s, drugs used if I don’t have to and I can drive myself home.