Tri-Lytely Prep Instructions

Opt-in to receive Day-by-Day Prep Instructions

If you have a history of congestive heart failure or kidney failure, this is the safest prep for you to do.

You are scheduled for a colonoscopy, an examination of the colon (large intestine) with a lighted flexible scope. During the colonoscopy, if an abnormality is seen, it is usually biopsied at that time. This involves removing a portion or all of the abnormal area for processing and subsequent examination under a microscope.

Risks of the procedure:
It is very rare that these complications occur but in the event that you have any of the following you should go directly to the Emergency Room:

It may be necessary to hold anticoagulants (blood thinners) after you have polyps removed, please discuss with your Gastroenterologist and Cardiologist.

You are required to schedule a follow up visit at the office to discuss the results of the procedure with the physician.

You must have an adult over the age of 18 stay with you and drive you home after the procedure, due to sedation. Plan for you and your ride to be at the surgery center for a total of two to three hours. Your ride must stay at the
center the entire time you are there. When you arrive, you will need to complete your paperwork and then change into a patient gown. The nursing staff will perform a brief assessment, place an I.V., and take you into the procedure room where you will be sedated and undergo the colonoscopy. The colonoscopy itself takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

After the colonoscopy you will rest in the recovery area while the sedative wears off. Due to the sedation, you may not  remember your conversation with the doctor after the colonoscopy. Please have a family member or friend stay with you that can speak with the doctor and nurses after the procedure. By law, you cannot drive the rest of the day of the colonoscopy. We advise you to take the entire day off work.

A thorough cleansing of the colon is essential and the examination is most successful if you follow the directions for preparation completely, as outlined below. If you have any questions about the test or preparation, please do not hesitate to call our office.

It is important to notify us of all prescription medications and non-prescription products (over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory, herbal, vitamins, etc) you are taking and a list of any medications you are allergic to.

Purchase these items ahead of time:

  1. Tri-Lytley Colon Prep (per your prescription from our office).
  2. Dulcolax LAXATIVE tablets. You will need four (4).

Colonoscopy Preparation Timeline

Five or more days prior to your colonoscopy
  • Arrange for a ride. If you do not have a ride, we will have to cancel the procedure.
  • Purchase the laxative medications listed above.
  • Consider obtaining a protective ointment such as Preparation H, Desitin, or Vaseline to protect the anal area during the prep. You can start to apply it after the first laxative is taken.
  • If you are taking coumadin (warfarin) or other blood thinners, you must hold them for 4 days before the colonoscopy. You must check with the doctor who prescribed them for you to make sure it is safe for you
    to do so. Aspirin is stopped at least 4 days before the colonoscopy.
  • Check with your insurance carrier if you need pre-approval and that you understand your financial responsibility for the procedure. There should be a number on the back of your insurance card to call.
  • Stop taking iron and vitamins with iron five days before the colonoscopy.
  • Make any needed arrangements to be off work or school on the day of the colonoscopy. Please remember, by law, you cannot drive the rest of the day of the colonoscopy.
  • Read and familiarize yourself with the preparation instructions below.
  • Please call us with any questions.
Three days prior to your colonoscopy
  • Review and plan dietary needs for the next two days.
  • Confirm your ride.
  • If you have questions, please call us.
Two days prior to your colonoscopy
  • Eat well-balanced meals but try to avoid nuts, popcorn, raw fruit, raw vegetables, and salads.
  • List any allergies and all prescription medications and non-prescription products (over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory, herbal,vitamins, etc.) you are taking. Bring these lists with you on the day of the colonoscopy.
One day prior to your colonoscopy
  • Start a Clear Liquid Diet when you get up and continue all day.
Clear Liquid Diet
Make sure you drink plenty of clear liquids throughout the day

Soups: Clear bouillon, chicken broth, vegetable broth, beef broth, or consommé.

Beverages:
Tea, coffee, Kool-Aid, carbonated beverages, Gatorade.
You may add sugar to coffee and tea but not milk or creamer

Juices: White Cranberry, apple, white grape, strained lemonade, limeade, and orange drink.
Any juice that you can see through and has no pulp is acceptable.

Dessert: Italian ices, popsicles, hard candy.

    • Do not drink RED OR PURPLE colored beverages or eat any Jell-O.
    • No solid food of any kind.
    • Throughout the day, make sure to drink at least eight glasses (two quarts) or more of fluids such as Gatorade, or a similar product, preferably not just plain water.
    • Diabetic Patients: You should take your diabetic medications. The prep solution contains no sugar which your body needs because you will not be eating solid foods. Throughout the day, you should drink sugar containing clear liquids, as needed to maintain your blood sugar level. Monitor your blood sugar at your usual times.
    • Take your usual prescription medications (except iron). If you are on coumadin or other blood thinners, please contact the prescribing physician for specific instructions at least one week prior to the colonoscopy.

8 a.m. Add water to the prep solution. Fill to line on jug and shake until powder is dissolved. Place in the refrigerator.
1 p.m. Take all four Dulcolax tablets with 32 ounces of clear liquids. Do not crush or chew.
4 p.m. Begin to drink the preparation solution.

  • Drink one, eight-ounce glass of the solution every ten minutes until the preparation is finished. Shake the container before pouring each glass.
  • You will consume several glassfuls before you have the first loose watery bowel movement, and this may make you feel slightly bloated. You will become more comfortable as you start to have bowel movements. You may experience nausea, abdominal fullness, and bloating. If this occurs, stop drinking temporarily or drink each portion at longer intervals until these symptoms disappear. If you start to have severe abdominal pain and vomiting—stop drinking and call our office
Remember to remain close to toilet facilities!
You may continue to have clear liquids until midnight. After midnight, do not eat or drink anything except the colonoscopy prep and you should take your medications with sips of water.
The day of your colonoscopy:
  • Please be sure to take any blood pressure or heart medications the morning of the test with a sip of water.
  • Diabetic Patients: Do not take your diabetes pills today, but do bring a dose with you to take after your colonoscopy. If you are on Insulin, take ½ of usual NPH and no regular insulin. Bring the remaining doses with you to take after your colonoscopy.
  • When you are ready to leave, your designated driver will take you home where you can eat and relax the rest of the day. You will receive specific instructions about eating, activities, and medications before you leave.

ATTENTION PATIENTS PLEASE READ:

South Lake Endoscopy Center is operated by Southlake Hospital. Billing for procedures are done by Orlando Health except for your doctor’s fee which is billed by South Lake Gastroenterology. Anesthesia Services are billed by South Lake Anesthesia. If you are scheduled for procedure at South Lake Endoscopy Center, Please call 352-536-8895 to discuss all fees associated with your procedure. For Anesthesia, please call 352-243-9114.
***Absolutely all piercings must be removed prior to procedure***

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Golytely, Nulytely, and Colyte?

All solutions are similar forms of this prep.

This is a large amount to drink but it works by flushing out your system of waste material over several hours. The solution gently “washes” the bowel clean. Do not just sip the solution. It is important you drink eight ounces every 15 minutes. It does not absorb into your body, nor does it cause you to become dehydrated.

You can try sucking on hard candy or rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. Do not eat or drink anything while you are drinking this solution
The red color can persist in the colon and potentially look like blood.
Medication for blood pressure, heart conditions, and seizures should be taken the morning of your exam regardless of the color, with small sips of water.
It is important that you continue drinking the solution if possible. Remember, it is the large volume that helps to empty your bowel. Without a clean bowel, the doctor will not be able to see the inside of your colon to complete the examination. If you do vomit, wait 30 minutes, and begin drinking the solution again. You might try taking six ounces at a time, rather than eight ounces. If not improved, call us and have a phone number of an open pharmacy in case we need to call in a prescription.
Keep drinking eight ounces every 15 minutes. Most people have a bowel movement after an hour; some patients may take two or more hours.
Yes, you may have solid stool higher in the colon that needs to be eliminated.
Yes, you must take the prep as directed by your doctor. Your colon is approximately six feet long. The entire colon must be emptied for your physician to see the colon clearly.
If you drank the entire solution or if your last bowel movements were clear enough that you were able to see the bottom of the toilet, you should be fine. It is okay if you have some flecks of material. The yellow color is a result of bile that normally colors the feces. This should not interfere with the examination.
To clean the area, avoid rubbing. Gently pat with a wet washcloth. Apply Vaseline, Preparation H, or Desitin liberally.
We strongly suggest you do not drink any alcoholic beverages prior to your procedure since they can cause dehydration and some wines may thin your blood.
Yes, but nothing with soft centers or red color.
Take a tap water enema until you run clear, or a Fleets Enema. If this does not work, call the office.
Please do.
Yes, you may wear your dentures to the endoscopy suite. However, you may be asked to remove them prior to the procedure.
You may take Tylenol as directed.
You can only have the broth; no noodles, chicken, or vegetables allowed.
Yes, the procedure can still be performed. We ask that you use a tampon if possible (not absolutely necessary).
No. Your driver needs to remain at the center for the entire time you are there. No exceptions.
This prep was designed to not break down in your bloodstream. This is the safest prep for you to do.

NO RED, PURPLE OR BLUE LIQUIDS

YOU MAY HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
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