Instructions for colonoscopy preparation with SUTAB for patients of TidalHealth Gastroenterology in Ocean Pines
Your procedure will be performed at TidalHealth Delmarva Endoscopy Center located at 11103 Cathage Road, Berlin, MD 21811, near the north gate of Ocean Pines. This office can be reached at 410-677-6654.
Turn right into the second parking lot for building 4, drive around the building and stop underneath the canopy, which is one way.
Patients who develop COVID symptoms, travel internationally or are exposed to COVID between the time of scheduling their appointment and the date of the procedure, must contact our office.
Please note:
- You will be sedated. You must have a responsible adult over 18 to drive you home after the procedure. This person must pick you up from the endoscopy center and plan to stay with you.
- Do not plan on returning to work that day, making any important decisions, operating heavy machinery, no driving or drinking alcoholic beverages for the next 12 hours.
- You may not take a taxi, bus, Uber, Lyft or medical transportation, etc. home unless accompanied by a responsible adult over 18.
- If you do not have a responsible adult to drive or accompany you home, your procedure will be rescheduled.
We need 48 hours prior notice if you are going to cancel or reschedule this appointment. Please call our office at 410-912-6021 or 410-677-6654.
Please pick up your prep 2 weeks prior to your procedure. Also, when picking up your prep, please purchase Dulcolax Laxative 5 mg tablets.
3 days before the procedure
Three (3) days prior:
Please purchase Dulcolax Laxative 5 mg tablets at the pharmacy.
You will take Dulcolax 5 mg tablets daily at bedtime for 3 days prior to your clear liquids prep day.
For example, if your procedure is scheduled on a Monday, you will take one (1) 5mg Dulcolax tablet on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday will be your clear liquids day.
7 days before the procedure
Seven (7) days prior to your procedure you must STOP the following medications:
- Advil
- Aleve
- Celebrex (celecoxib)
- Daypro (oxaprozin)
- Indocin (indomethacin)
- Iron
- Mobic (meloxicam)
- Motrin
- Naprosyn (naproxen)
- Voltaren (diclofenac)
We will contact your prescribing physician for permission to hold blood thinners. Please follow up with your prescriber to confirm they have given permission to hold the medication and for how long.
If you are a diabetic and take pills, injections or insulin, please contact your medical provider who prescribed this medication for instructions as these may lower blood sugar too much before the procedure.
The day before your procedure
Upon awakening, you may only have clear liquids. You may not have any solid foods including breakfast. Please follow the clear liquid diet below.
Do not consume:
- Red or purple colored liquids or products.
- Milk, cream or non-dairy substitutes (such as artificial creamer, soy or nut milks)
- Juices containing pulp (I.e. orange, grapefruit, pineapple, tomato & V-8 juice) or frozen juice products containing pulp
- Alcoholic beverages
- Solid foods
Beverages
- Water
- Coffee or tea (no milk or non-dairy creamers)
- Fruit juice (no pulp), can include: apple juice, white grape juice, cranberry juice
- Kool-Aid
- Sports drinks
- Sodas
Clear broth
- Chicken
- Beef
- Vegetable
- Consommé and bouillon
Desserts
- Jell-O (no fruit or toppings)
- Popsicles or Italian ice (no sherbets, fruit bars or fudge popsicles)
- Hard candy
Do not follow the instructions on the SUTAB box. Follow the below instructions.
6 pm - first dose
Take the tablets with water
- Open one (1) bottle of 12 tablets.
- Fill the provided container with 16 oz. of water (up to the fill line). Swallow 1 tablet every 5 minutes. You should finish the 12 tablets and the entire 16 oz. of water within 1 hour. Do not rush tablet intake.
Important: If you experience preparation symptoms (for example, nausea, bloating, or cramping), pause or slow the rate of drinking the additional water until your symptoms diminish.
Drink additional water
- Over the next hour after the last tablet is ingested, fill the provided container again with 16oz of water twice more (up to the fill line), drink the entire amount (two 16oz. Cups) over 1 hour.
*You should have completed 12 tablets and (3) 16 ounce cups of water. If you experience any nausea, bloating or cramping, slow down water consumption, but be sure to complete all 3 cups.
The day of your procedure
6 hours before your procedure time - second dose
- The morning of colonoscopy (5 to 8 hours prior to the colonoscopy and no sooner than 4 hours from starting Dose 1), open the second bottle of 12 tablets.
- Repeat step 1 thru 4 from first dose.
- You must finish 2 hours before your procedure time
- Do not consume anything by mouth 4 hours before your procedure time. See below for medication exceptions. If you drink within this 4 hour time frame, the procedure may be postponed or canceled.
Take your medications such as aspirin, blood pressure, Parkinson's, seizure, or asthma medications. Please take these medications four (4) or more hours prior to the procedure start time with only a small sip of water.
If a physician has prescribed for you an inhaler for asthma, bring it with you to the procedure.
Additional instructions:
- Bring your photo ID, insurance cards and co-payment, if required.
- Wear comfortable clothing. Do not wear jewelry or bring valuables.
- Do not wear perfume or lotions, deodorant is allowed
- If you use a CPAP or BIPAP please bring your device the day of the procedure.
What to expect
- Expect to have frequent bowel movements and diarrhea within 1-4 hours. Be patient and try walking around to stimulate bowel motility. Remain near a restroom. During this time, continue your preparation.
- Expect to pass clear or yellow fluid at the completion of your preparation.
- You must complete all doses of your preparation even if you are passing clear or yellow fluid early in the process.
- Patients should continue drinking clear liquids up to four (4) hours before the procedure. During the four (4) hours before your procedure, consume nothing by mouth, not even water, chewing gum or candy.
- Your procedure may be cancelled under the following circumstances: failure to fully complete the preparation or inadequate preparation (not passing clear or yellow fluid); consuming anything (including liquids) by mouth within four (4) hours of the procedure.
What to do to make preparation easier
- Use Desitin, Anusol, Tucks pads or Vaseline to coat the rectal area to avoid irritation during the preparation.
- Drink the preparation solution with a straw or hold your nose when drinking.
- Slow down between doses if feeling nauseous.
- If you vomit the preparation, take a break and then continue drinking the preparation slowly once vomiting passes.