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Medications and food may affect your bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Some medications may cause you to bleed more during or after colonoscopy. This is particularly true if some form of therapeutic procedures (biopsies, dilation, polypectomy) are performed during colonoscopy.
Some medication and food may affect the cleanliness of your colon. Certain medications and food can slow your gut causing constipation and therefore poor bowel prep. You need to stop before colonoscopy certain medications and foods.
Medications to stop before colonoscopy
Anti-platelet medications
Anti-platelet medications are used to prevent stroke and heart attack. In addition, they can prevent any artery from getting blocked like arteries in the leg.
You do not need to stop aspirin before colonoscopy. On the other hand, some people need to stop their plavix before colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor if you take any of these medications and ask if you need to stop or continue them.
Examples of anti-platelet medications
- Aspirin
- Clopidrogel (Plavix)
- Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
- Prasugrel (Effient)
- Ticagrelor (Brillinta)
- Dipyridamole (Persantine)
- Aggrenox (dipyridamole plus aspirin)
- Abciximab (ReoPro)
Anti-coagulation medications
Anticoagulants are blood thinners that are used to prevent or treat blood clots. They are used in patients with arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, mechanical heart valves, heart attack and stroke.
You need to stop your anti-coagulation medications before your colonoscopy. Heparin has to be stopped 4-6 hours before your colonoscopy. Lovenox is usually stopped about 12 hours before colonoscopy. Warfarin (Coumadin) is usually stopped 5-7 days before your colonoscopy. Other oral anticoagulation medications like Eliquis and Xarelto can be stopped 2-3 days before colonoscopy.
Examples of anticoagulation medications
- Heparin
- Coumadin (Warfarin)
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- Apixaban (Eliquis)
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- Bivalirudin (Angiomax)
- Argatroban
- Enoxaprin (Lovenox)
- Dalteparin (Fragmin)
- Tinzaparin (Innoprin)
- Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
Diabetic medications
There are 2 types of diabetes mellitus. Insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. There are 2 main types of medications-insulin and non-insulin medications. Take only half the usual dose of your pills or insulin the day before your colonoscopy while you’re on clear liquid diet. Do not take oral diabetic medications or short-acting insulin on the day of your colonoscopy. Read Diabetes and colonoscopy. How to take your medications before colonoscopy.
Examples of diabetic medications
Click list of medications for diabetes mellitus.
Anti-diarrhea medications
Some people with diarrhea take medications that can reduce their stool counts. Medications like Imodium®, Lomotil®, and Pecto Bismol® should be stopped about 1 week before your colonoscopy. You want to be cleaned out therefore anything that will make you hold on to your stool should be avoided.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS)
These medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, indomethacin, diclofenac, and sulindac. There are others. Aspirin is mostly used for heart conditions while the others are mainly pain medications. In general, these medications may be used in the days before colonoscopy. You do not need to stop any of these medications before colonoscopy particularly aspirin. However, follow the specific instruction of your physician because these medications may affect some of your colonoscopy findings.
Fiber and supplements
Fiber supplements include psyllium, glucomannan, methylcellulose, flaxseed, wheat dextrin, calcium polycarbophil, and inulin. They are found in products such as Metamucil®, Citrucel®, and Benefiber®. They should be stopped 1 week before your colonoscopy.
Food to stop before colonoscopy
Food affects bowel prep. Avoid high fiber diet starting 3 days before your colonoscopy. A day before your colonoscopy, your physician will put you on either a clear liquid diet or a low fiber diet. Most people are placed on a clear liquid diet a day before colonoscopy. Read What food can I eat before colonoscopy.
Suggested Reading
- Bowel preparation and colonoscopy frequently asked questions.
- How to use your bowel cleansing agents for colonoscopy.
- Why people hate colonoscopy and what to do about it.
Am I allowed to drink white wine or any alcohol during the three days of low fiber diet prior to my colonoscopy?
Yes.
I am 5 days out from my colonoscopy. I had to take a Lomotil pill for diarrhea. Will one pill impact my colonoscopy?
Hopefully not. Follow your instructions. Use the split dose regimen. Good luck!
can I take dextromethorphan before my colonoscopy
Preferably not because it can cause drowsiness and interact with other medications you will be given. Your doctor wants you alert to consent (if not already done) and examine before the procedure. Good luck!
I take Questran light daily for dump syndrome after my gall bladder was removed. Can I take that? I’m really going to need to take it on Saturday morning and my colonoscopy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Some recommend to stop it 5-7 days before colonoscopy. If you follow the diet instruction and do the split dose regimen, you should be alright with your plan. As always, discuss with your doctor. Good luck!
I finished my prep with success. Its been 5 hours now but i need to get to the hospital for the procedure. Can I take an Imodium to help this calm down so I can get there?
Use of loperamide after finishing the bowel cleansing agent has been studied (read https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23222289/). This has not been validated by other studies. If you’re worried about pooping on your way to the surgery center, wear a diaper. Good luck!
Can I continue my Synthroid before my colonoscopy
Yes
What about if you are taking blood pressure medications like amlodipine and lysiniprol do you need to stop taking these medications before a colonoscopy
No. You should continue your blood pressure medications.
Will a station drug affect a colonoscopy?
What is a station drug? Do you mean a statin drug used for cholesterol? It should not affect your colonoscopy.
Can I continue to take these supplements; magnesium, B12, calcium, vitamin C, & D3 prior to the colonoscopy?
You can take them days prior to your colonoscopy. They are not essential so you can skip them on the day of your colonoscopy. Good luck!
Can you take oxybutnin before a colonoscopy
You can take it days before your colonoscopy. Most doctors recommend taking only essential medications on the day of the colonoscopy. Good luck!
Can I take my methotrexate and humira pen before the colonoscopy? It is scheduled for next Tuesday, and I am supposed to take my methotrexate on Friday and my humira shot on Saturday.
Yes. Good luck!
Thank you!
Does Seroquel XR affect the bowel prep process?
I don’t think so.
Can I take vitamin d before mu colonoscopy ?
Yes. No need to take on the morning of your colonoscopy. Good luck!
I take topomax 2x daily for migraine prevention and eletriptan as needed when migraines arise do I need to stop the topomax? And for the eletriptan as not eating sufficiently to prepare for the test may trigger a headache and no otc medication works…
You can continue to take these important medications. Good luck!
can I take Amlodipine besylate 5 mg, a week before my colonoscopy?
Yes. You can even take it on the day of your colonoscopy with sips of water. Blood pressure medications are essential medicines. Good luck!
Can I take probiotics in the week leading up to my colonoscopy? What about an amino acid powder supplement? Thanks!
You can continue probiotics ….BUT talk to your doctor.
I was diagnosed with a mild case of shingles. I’m taking Valacyclovir 1000 mg TID. Only one dermatome. Meds started yesterday evening (Saturday). Colonoscopy is booked for Tuesday. Should I stop Valacyclovir now? My colonoscopy is in 2 days. I hope I don’t have to reschedule. It’s been rescheduled 2x before by the doc already. I’ve already started the diet and mixed Colyte. I’ve been prescribed 500 mg pills x 2 per dose. These pills are blue. Will the dye in the pill be an issue? If not I can get the 1000mg pull which is white. What do you suggest? Thanks!
Can I take Prilosec and Prozac before a colonoscopy? Will they interfere with the sedation drugs?
You can take essential medications with sips of water on the morning of the procedure. Non-essential medications can be used after the procedure. Talk to your doctor.
Can I take Uloric before a colonoscopy? Finesteride?
You can use your essential medications As always, talk to your doctor.
Can I take acyclovir prior to my colonoscopy?
yes.
I have taken 2 Vitamin D units the past 3 days and I have a colonoscopy scheduled for Wednesday. I do not plan to take any more until after my procedure. Do I need to reschedule my procedure?
No need to reschedule.
Why do I need to stop taking lansaprazole and ranitidine a week before my colonoscopy and endoscopy? I can’t cope with my cough, acid, diorhea etc without these meds?
You do not need to stop these medications 1 week before your colonoscopy/egd. If you are also doing a Bravo PH study in addition to EGD, your doctor may stop your anti-secretory medications (lansoprazole and ranitidine). Always follow the specific instruction of your gastroenterologist.
Can I take hydroxyzine before my colonoscopy?
Why are you using hydroxyzine? Itching, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, allergies? Since it causes drowsiness, you may hold it on the day of your colonoscopy. As always, discuss with your doctor.
I am taking phentermine, how soon before test do I need to stop taking it?
Some people recommend you stop this drug 5-7 days before colonoscopy. Follow the specific instruction of your doctor.
if taking phentermine for weight loss how soon to stop before colonoscopy?
Some people recommend you stop this drug 5-7 days before colonoscopy. Follow the specific instruction of your doctor. Good luck!
Hi. I have a colonoscopy and endoscopy this wed morning. The dr is being very vague about taking meds during prep or not. Can i list my meds and please tell me what to stop and when? I was using cbd oil until last night but wasnt sure so i stopped last night. I also take 25mg trazadone and thyroid eds 100mcg. I take xanax or klonopin for panic and am weaning off zoloft, down to 12mg. . Plus 50mcg clonidine. Also can i take spasmalgin an anti spasmadic or tylenol or advil for pain. Thank you so much.
In general, you can take most medications up to a day before your colonoscopy AND only essential ones like high blood pressure and seizure medications the morning of the procedure. Talk to your doctor. Good luck!
Hi. I’m currently taking Prednisone once a day every morning to manage my allergies and Spornar 2x a day for my fungal infection. As of this writing, 7 days left before my scheduled colonoscopy. Do I need to stop both? Thank you.
You can continue to take your essential medications. As always, talk to your doctor.
I had an Avastin treatment and will have a Colonoscopy and an Endoscopy 3 weeks later. Will that be a problem?
Please, talk to your doctor.
I take one duodart capsule at 5.00 PM each day to lessen the effects of benign enlarged prostate. My colonoscopy is 1.00 PM tomorrow. Can I take my duodart capsule today ?
Yes.
What if I forgot to stop taking iron supplements for anemia 10 days before my colonoscopy and endoscopy, but didn’t take them every day (and didn’t take twice a day at all) in those 10 days before? My procedures are in 36 hours, and I did take them each of the last 3 days. My GI Dr told me to stop 10 days before, but my primary care Dr had told me to keep taking Vitron Iron supplements 2 per day because my blood test said still wasn’t normal, even though I was feeling much better. (I was very easily getting out of breath, but not anymore.) He knew when I’d be having the procedures, but I forgot to mention that the GI Dr said to stop.
Follow all other instructions. No need to cancel your procedures. Talk to your gastroenterologist.
I’m currently prepping for a colonoscopy that takes place today. I feel I have some UTI symptoms coming on. Should I take the AZO medication? Or will it alter the test?
Please discuss any UTI symptoms with your doctor. Good luck!
Can I take Mucinex DM and Tylenol 1-4 days before colonoscopy? I have a cold and congestion and am miserable. If not what cold medicine can be take ?
Can I take my lomotil 2 hrs before a colonoscopy so as to make the drive to the DR.
When do I need to stop my ritalin (immediate release)
Can I still have my procedure if I am on the xulane patch?
can I (should I) take Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablets in the four days prior to my colonoscopy the Gastroenterologist’s office is closed for the weekend, so I cn’t ask tehere
can you tell me what vermifuge herbs i can take before colonscopy that wont stain intestines and make it hard to see. i was told black walnut and wormwood must be stopped. thanks!
I am going to have a colonoscopy . Can I take the following drugs”
diltiazem, Letrozole, levothyroxine., fosinopril sodium.