MiraLax Bowel Prep Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MiraLax BOWEL PREP

Purchase the following over-the-counter laxatives: 1. MiraLax (8.3 oz/ 238g bottle/ 14 dose).
2. Dulcolax (bisacodyl) tablets. You will be taking 4 (four) of the 5mg tablets. Do not confuse with Dulcolax stool softeners or suppositories.
Mix the entire bottle of MiraLax powder with 64 ounces of a clear liquid such as water, Crystal Light, or Gatorade. Chill in the refrigerator.

ONE WEEK BEFORE THE PROCEDURE:

Stop taking any aspirin or any aspirin containing medications: Ecotrin, Bufferin, Ascriptin, Alka-Seltzer. If you are taking any anti-coagulants or blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, etc.) notify our office immediately. It is OK to take Tylenol.
Prefer a low residual (easy to digest) diet and drink generous amount of fluids. Discontinue any bulking agents such as Citrucel, Fibercon, Metamucil or Konsyl.

Note: individual responses to laxative do vary; this prep should cause multiple bowel movements. It often works within 30 minutes, however it may take as long as 3 hours. Remain within easy reach of toilet facilities.

THE DAY BEFORE THE PROCEDURE:

Starting from the moment to you wake up, drink only “clear liquids” for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Solid foods, alcohol, milk or milk products are NOT allowed.

CLEAR LIQUIDS include:

Strained fruit juices without pulp (apple juice, white grape juice, lemonade)
Water
Clear broth or bouillon
Very diluted coffee or tea
Gatorade
Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks
Kool-Aid
Jell-O (no red Jell-O though)
Ice Popsicle

At 3:00 PM

- Take 4 Dulcolax tablets.

At 5:00 PM

Start drinking the MiraLax. Drink 8 ounces every 10 to 15 minutes until finished.

At 12:00 midnight

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight, except for the allowed medications which you may take a with a small sip of water.

THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE:

Report to the Hospital admitting office at least one hours prior to the scheduled time of the surgery.
Bring a list of your medications, including over-the-counter drugs, eyedrops etc.

GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF MEDICATIONS

Medication that affect blood clotting and circulation:

Aspirin or aspirin containing medications should be discontinued at least one week prior to the surgery. Aspirin is also known as acetyl-salicylic acid.
Blood thinner such as Coumadin should be discontinued 3-4 days prior to the surgery.
Antiplatelet agents, such as ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, plavix, ticlid and other may also need to be discontinued 7-14 days prior to the surgery. Please discuss this with your physician. Please make sure that our office is aware if you are taking any of these medications.

You MUST discuss the temporary discontinuation of these drugs with your physician, since you may be at risk of developing blood clots in your veins or arteries, which may be associated with serious risks and death.
Medications for diabetes:
With the change in diet needed for the bowel preparation, your diabetes management must be altered. The general guidelines are to take diabetes pills the morning before the procedure as usual and then take no further diabetes pills until after your procedure. Premixed insulin doses are typically cut in half starting the day before the procedure. The physician who manages your diabetes should be able to provide guidance regarding your particular instructions.

Your procedure will be CANCELLED in the following situations:

if you did not take the bowel prep medications.
if you had something to eat or drink on the morning of the colon surgery.
if you have taken aspirin within seven days from the procedure date.
if you have taken coumadin within four days from the procedure date.
if you have taken diabetes medicine the morning of the procedure without explicit instructions from the physician who manages your diabetes.
if you report to the procedure intoxicated with alcohol or drugs.