Colonoscopy Bowel Prep
Prepare a list of medications.
Stop iron, anti-diarrhea medicine, GLP-1 (Wegovy) 7 days before.
If taking tetracycline or fluoroquinolone antibiotics, iron, digoxin, chlorpromazine, or penicillamine — take these at least 2 hours before and not less than 6 hours after each SUPREP dose.
Do not give other oral medications within 1 hour of starting each SUPREP dose.
You can verify what medications need to be stopped at meds.giready.com.
📖 About the Procedure
A colonoscopy is a short procedure done under anesthesia. A pediatric gastroenterologist passes a thin, flexible camera through the bottom to look at the large intestine. Small biopsies are usually taken. The procedure itself takes about 20–45 minutes, but plan to be at the facility for several hours total. The colon must be clean for the camera to see well — that's what the medicine below is for.
✅ Medications and Supplies needed
Pick up any prescription as soon as possible after scheduling. Buy all other supplies at least 5 days before the procedure.
| Active ingredient / Item | What to get |
|---|---|
| SUPREP Bowel Prep Kit (sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate) — prescription required (FDA-approved age 12+) Call the office if you have not received a prescription. The kit includes a mixing container. SUPREP must be diluted in water before drinking — do NOT drink it straight from the bottle. |
1 kit Contains 2 bottles (6 oz each) — each bottle = 1 dose |
| Clear liquids — water, Gatorade or Powerade (any color except red or purple), apple juice, white grape juice, clear broth | At least 72 oz (~2 L) total (in addition to the water used to dilute SUPREP). Include a balanced electrolyte drink (Gatorade, Pedialyte, or similar). |
| Skin protection — protective ointment (Desitin or Vaseline) for anal-area comfort | 1 tube |
📅 1 Day Before — Diet & Bowel Prep
Two parts today: the diet below, then THE BIG PREP — the bowel-prep medicines — in the afternoon and evening.
The Diet — breakfast & lunch: Low-Residue (“White”) foods
Low-residue foods only — the table pairs meals that work with the ones to skip. Nothing with whole grains, red meat, nuts, seeds, popcorn or beans, and nothing fried or greasy. No vegetables that day except plain potato without the skin; fruit only if it is soft and peeled.
| ✅ OK to eat (breakfast & lunch) | ❌ Instead of |
|---|---|
| Scrambled eggs + white toast with butter | Whole-wheat toast, oatmeal with nuts or berries |
| Pancakes or waffles, plain or with syrup | Whole-grain waffles, berries, granola topping |
| Grilled chicken sandwich on white bread, no lettuce or tomato | Burger and fries, pizza, anything fried |
| Mac & cheese + applesauce | Salad, raw veggies, corn |
| White rice + baked chicken or fish + banana | Brown rice, beans, steak or ground beef |
| Snacks before 2 PM: plain yogurt, pudding, Jell-O, white crackers, pretzels, melon | Granola bars, popcorn, trail mix, fruit with the skin on |
After 2:00 PM — Clear Liquids Only
No more solid food. No dairy — no milk, yogurt, or ice cream.
| ✅ OK to drink | ❌ Skip that day |
|---|---|
| Water, apple juice, white grape juice | RED or PURPLE drinks or foods |
| Lemonade, clear soda, clear broth | Dairy (milk, yogurt, ice cream); juices with pulp |
| Popsicles, plain Jell-O, tea/coffee without milk | Any solid food |
🥤 DOSE 1 — Evening Before the Procedure
SUPREP tastes salty/tart. Drinking it cold and through a straw can help.
- SUPREP tastes salty/tart. Cold water + a straw helps; some patients chase each sip with clear Gatorade or lemonade to cut the taste.
- Drink each portion steadily — don't sip slowly over a long time.
- Expect diarrhea to start within 1–3 hours — this is normal and means the prep is working.
- Apply protective ointment to the bottom area before diarrhea starts.
- Continue drinking clear liquids throughout the evening to stay hydrated.
- If severe bloating, distension, or abdominal pain occurs after Dose 1, slow down and contact the office before starting Dose 2.
🥤 DOSE 2 — Morning of the Procedure
⚠️ Stop all clear liquids 3 hours before the procedure. If your child vomits within 30 minutes of a dose, wait 30 minutes and try giving the dose again slowly.
📅 Day of Procedure
- Give SUPREP Dose 2 this morning (see Dose 2 above) — finish at least 3 hours before the procedure.
- Clear liquids are allowed up until 3 hours before the procedure — nothing by mouth after that. No solid food the day of.
- Offer small sips of clear liquids every 30–60 minutes through the morning. Each drink: no more than 12 oz (~360 mL).
- Bring comfort items for your child (toy, blanket, tablet, etc.).
Helpful Resources
After the procedure & when to call
- Your child will wake up in the recovery area. Some grogginess and gas/cramping/bloating are normal for several hours.
- A small amount of blood with the first stool after a colonoscopy can be normal, especially if biopsies were taken.
- An adult must stay with your child for 24 hours after anesthesia.
- Start with clear liquids, then advance to a regular diet as tolerated.
- No school, daycare, or sports for the rest of the day. Most children are back to normal activity the next day.
- The doctor will discuss what was seen before you go home. Biopsy results take about 1–2 weeks; we'll send the results to the portal and discuss over the phone or at the next appointment.
A sore throat, mild cramping and extra gas are common for about a day, and streaks of blood in the first stool or in vomit can be normal after biopsies. Call (317) 338-9450 if your child has:
- A temperature over 101°F (38.3°C)
- More than about a tablespoon of blood, in stool or in vomit, or stool that is black
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain — call us, and we will tell you whether to be seen
- Severe or persistent sore throat, drooling, or trouble swallowing
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain — this is an emergency, call 911
After hours, the same number reaches the provider on call.