Colonoscopy Prep with Picosalax
Preparation begins three days before the procedure. Enter your procedure date and time to get your exact personal schedule — what to do, and when.
Please note: The information on this site is a convenient rendering of the preparation protocol, and does not replace your treating physician's instructions. In case of any conflict between the information here and the instructions you received from your doctor — your doctor's instructions take precedence. Confirm the instructions with your doctor before the procedure.
My Personal Schedule
All times are calculated from the procedure date and time you enter.
Diet the Day Before the Procedure
High-fiber foods are forbidden the day before the procedure.
✗ Forbidden
- fruits and vegetables
- whole wheat bread
- bran
- oatmeal
✓ Allowed
- white bread
- dairy products
- eggs
- fish
- chicken
- pasta
- tea
- sweetened water
- strained fruit juices (not beet juice)
- clear chicken/beef broth
Menu Examples
| Meal | Healthy | Easy to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 2/3 cup yogurt (no toppings: seeds, strawberries, etc.) with banana | 2 eggs (fried, scrambled, or hard-boiled) with or without spices; 2 slices white bread or a bagel with jam, butter, or cream cheese |
| Lunch | Grilled, baked, or fried chicken breast; a cup of cottage cheese | White bread sandwich with chicken or turkey, with or without spices, no lettuce or tomato; or 10 chicken nuggets or 5 schnitzel strips; or a cup of spaghetti with yellow cheese; or a baked potato (peeled) with butter or sour cream |
| Snack | Banana or half a cup of cottage cheese | A handful of Bagele pretzels |
Frequently Asked Questions
Every answer here comes from the clinic's own preparation instructions.
When does the preparation begin?
The preparation itself begins three days before the procedure, with one Laxadin tablet a day — at 17:00, in the afternoon.
But stopping medications begins earlier: weight-loss medications (Ozempic and similar) two weeks before, and certain medications one week before. Details in the next question.
What should I bring on the day of the procedure?
- Doctor's referral
- Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from your HMO or insurance company
- Consent form — unsigned
Also: You must arrive with an escort. Without an escort the procedure cannot be performed.
What counts as a "clear fluid"?
Pour a little into a glass cup and set it on a printed page. If you can read the letters — the liquid is clear.
Clear fluids include water, tea, sweetened water, strained fruit juices (not beet juice), and clear chicken or beef broth.
Which medications should I stop, and when?
- Two weeks before — weight-loss medications, like Ozempic.
- One week before — medications containing iron, bismuth, charcoal.
Blood thinners and antiplatelet medications
- 7 days before — Plavix, Brilinta.
- 2 days before — Eliquis, Xarelto.
Aspirin — you can continue as usual, at any dose. No need to stop it.
Taking a different blood thinner? Check with the clinic.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The clinical content for this section is being prepared and will be updated soon. In the meantime — pregnant or breastfeeding patients are welcome to contact the clinic.
I have diabetes — what should I do?
Consult your family doctor or the doctor treating your diabetes about adjusting your treatment ahead of the procedure — especially if you are treated with insulin.
What can I eat the day before the procedure?
High-fiber foods are forbidden the day before the procedure. The full list, along with menu examples, is in the diet section.
From 17:00 you must stop eating completely, and from that moment on — clear fluids only.
How much do I need to drink with each sachet?
After each of the two sachets you must drink 1.5 L of clear fluids, which is 8 cups of 250 mL. Both sachets together — 3 liters.
When do I take the first dose?
The preparation is split — two doses: the first 9 hours before the procedure, the second 4 hours before. This is the preparation that gives the best cleanliness quality.
Even when the procedure is in the morning, this is still the recommended approach. It may be less convenient, but it lets you eat normally the day before — you only give up one night's sleep. Alternative for a morning procedure: take the first dose around 22:00.
The second dose must be taken 4 hours before the procedure either way — this is critical to the quality of the preparation.
Until when can I drink?
You must stop drinking 2 hours before the procedure.
Anyone undergoing gastroscopy and colonoscopy together must stop drinking 3 hours before.
Why is the preparation so important?
The quality of the procedure depends heavily on how clean the bowel is. Good preparation lets the doctor see everything, and avoids the need for a repeat procedure.
What does the Laxadin tablet do?
Its main effect is a large bowel movement the following morning. The tablet is taken at 17:00, on each of the three days before the procedure.