This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition.
Exención de responsabilidad en Español | Complete disclaimer

PEG Colonoscopy Preparations

There are three types of PEG preparations.
1. Drink one (1) gallon of laxative solution. There are several different brands and some are flavored.
2. Take bisacodyl laxative tablets in addition to drinking one-half (1/2) gallon of laxative solution.
3. Drink one-half (1/2) gallon of laxative solution without taking any laxative tablets.

You will need a prescription for any of these preparations. Your preparation should start the day before your colonoscopy. You will need to plan on being near a bathroom for the entire evening. Feelings of nausea and bloating are common and they will go away with time. If you drink at least one (1) gallon of clear liquids during the evening, the quality of bowel cleansing will be improved. See the colonoscopy booklet for allowed clear liquids.

An A&D type ointment applied to the rectal area can help with any irritation. The goal is for your stool to be clear or light yellow water.

Half-Lytely preparation
___ Between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. the day before your colonoscopy, take two (2) bisacodyl tablets with water. Do not crush or chew. Do not take within one 1 hour of taking an antacid. The first bowel movement should occur 1–6 hours after taking the tablets.
____ After your first bowel movement, or after 6 hours, whichever comes first, begin drinking the Half-Lytely solution, which you have mixed ahead of time and chilled. Drink 8 ounces every 15 minutes, until the solution is gone. This will take at least 2 hours.

____ If your procedure is scheduled at 11 a.m. or later, drink ½ of the solution (about 1 quart) the night before your procedure, then drink the remaining ½ of the solution (about 1 quart) the morning of your procedure, starting at least 4 hours before you need to be at the procedure unit.

PEG preparation (NuLYTELY, Colyte, GoLYTELY, TriLyte)
____ Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. the day before your colonoscopy, begin drinking PEG solution, which you have mixed ahead of time and chilled. Drink 8 ounces every 15 minutes until the entire gallon is gone. Your bowels may begin to move in about 30–60 minutes.

____ If your procedure is scheduled at 11 a.m. or later, drink ½ of the solution (½ gallon, about 2 quarts) the night before your procedure, then drink the remaining ½ of the solution (½ gallon,about 2 quarts) the morning of your procedure, starting at least 4 hours before you need to be at the procedure unit.

MoviPrep preparation
____ 6 p.m. the day before your colonoscopy, begin drinking the MoviPrep solution, which you have mixed ahead of time and chilled. Drink 8 ounces every 15 minutes until the entire quart is gone. Your bowels may begin to move in about 30–60 minutes. Prepare and chill your second quart.
____ 7 to 9 p.m., drink two 8-ounce glasses of any clear liquid of your choice (see the colonoscopy booklet for allowed clear liquids)
____ 9 p.m. begin drinking the second quart of MoviPrep solution, 8 ounces every 15 minutes until the entire quart is gone.

____ If your procedure is scheduled at 11 a.m. or later, drink ½ of the solution (about 1 quart) the night before your procedure, then drink the remaining ½ of the solution (about 1 quart) the morning of your procedure, starting at least 4 hours before you need to be at the procedure unit.

To view a video about MoviPrep, visit the Salix website www.salix.com. Click on products, click Moviprep, and click play video.

Information provided by the University of Michigan Health System, Internal Medicine Gastroenterology Clinics and Medical Procedures Unit, 9 June 2009.