NuLytely®/GoLytely and Simethicone Colonoscopy

1-Day Prep Instructions

7 days before:

  • Pick up Prep Medication from the pharmacy. NuLytely®/GoLytely® is a prescription.

  • Purchase Simethicone (Gas-X® or gas relief medicine). Simethicone is available over the counter in a variety of forms and dosages. Capsules, chewable, tablets, and liquids are all acceptable for the prep.

  • Discontinue fiber supplements and medications containing iron. This includes multivitamins with iron, Metamucil®, and Fibercon®.

  • Arrange a ride for after your procedure. You will not be able to drive or work after your procedure until the following day. You will not be able to take a taxi or other ride-hailing services home unless accompanied by a responsible party. If you do not have a ride, your procedure will be cancelled.

3 days before:

  • Begin a low-fiber diet. A low fiber diet helps make the cleanout more effective. Examples of a low fiber diet include (but are not limited to): white bread, white rice, pasta, fish, chicken, eggs, ground beef, creamy peanut butter, cooked/steamed/boiled vegetables, canned fruit, bananas, melons, milk, plain yogurt, cheese, salad dressing and other condiments.

  • Do not eat the following: Seeds, nuts, popcorn, bran, whole wheat bread and whole grains, corn, quinoa, raw fruits and vegetables, berries, dried fruit, beans and lentils. These make it hard to clear out your colon.

2 days before:

  • Continue the low-fiber diet

  • Drink at least 8 glasses of water during the day

  • Stop eating solid foods at 11:45 pm

1 day before:

  • Begin a clear liquid diet. (Clear liquids include things you can see through). Examples of a clear liquid diet include water, black coffee or tea (no milk or non-dairy creamer), clear broth or bouillon, Gatorade, Pedialyte or Powerade, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks (Sprite, 7-Up, Ginger ale), strained fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape, white cranberry), Jello-O and popsicles.

  • No red liquids, alcoholic beverages, dairy products, protein shakes, cream broths, juice with pulp and chewing tobacco.

  • 4-6 pm: Drink 1 (one) 8 oz. glass of GoLytely or NuLytely solution every 15 minutes until 1/2 the bottle is gone (8- 8 oz. glasses). Keep the solution refrigerated.

  • Take Simethicone 240 mg to 250 mg with the last glass of prep (dosing of simethicone may vary based on the type of simethicone purchased). Over the course of the evening, drink an additional ½ liter of clear liquids and continue clear liquid diet.

Day of your procedure:

6 hours prior to your procedure:

Drink 1 (one) 8 oz. glass of GoLytely or NuLytely solution every 15 minutes until the remaining solution is gone (8 - 8 oz glasses). Keep the solution refrigerated. This part of the prep is especially important to clear the colon. Suboptimal prep may result in the procedure being rescheduled, more frequent procedures or missed lesions.

Take Simethicone take 240 mg to 250 mg with the last glass of prep (dosing of simethicone may vary based on the type of simethicone purchased).

4 hours prior to your procedure:

  • STOP consuming all liquids with the last glass of prep

  • Do not take anything by mouth during this time

  • You may take all your morning medications including blood pressure medications, blood thinners (if you have not been instructed to stop these by your provider or our office), methadone, anti-seizure medications with sips of water 3 hours prior to your procedure or earlier. If you have diabetes, contact your monitoring provider for further directions on insulin and-or blood sugar management.

When you arrive come to the Emergency Department/Surgery Center entrance on the north side of the hospital. Please check in at the Surgery Center registration desk, go through the doors to the left once you enter the hospital. Inform the registration representative of your name and the procedure for which you are scheduled. The representative will notify the endoscopy staff of your arrival. If you have questions about this exam, please call: 507-646-1201 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

After the Exam

Resume taking your medications unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare provider. Resume your regular diet when you feel able. You may resume your regular activity the next day as you feel able.   You will be given more information after the procedure.