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How to Prep for Your Colonoscopy

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What to Eat the Day BEFORE
Your Colonoscopy

How to Prep Art
Please follow a low residue diet and do not eat anything after starting the bowel prep. Eat what is permitted unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What You CAN Do

  • You may have a low residue breakfast only. Low residue breakfast foods include eggs, white bread, cottage cheese, yogurt, grits, coffee, and tea.
  • You may have clear liquids.

What You CANNOT Do

  • Do not drink milk or eat or drink anything colored red or purple.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not take other laxatives while taking SUFLAVE.
  • Do not take oral medications within 1 hour of starting each dose of SUFLAVE.
  • If taking tetracycline or fluoroquinolone antibiotics, iron, digoxin, chlorpromazine, or penicillamine, take these medications at least 2 hours before and not less than 6 hours after administration of each dose of SUFLAVE.
how to prep do dont's

Liquids That Are OK to Drink

  • Coffee or tea (no cream or nondairy creamer)
  • Fruit juices (without pulp)
  • Gelatin desserts (no fruit or topping)
  • Water
  • Lemonade
  • Chicken broth
how to prep drink

SUFLAVE Split Dosing

SUFLAVE is a split-dose (2-day) regimen. A total of 2 bottles are required for complete preparation for colonoscopy. You will take 2 bottles of liquid in two separate doses. One dose of SUFLAVE is equal to one bottle plus one flavor enhancing packet.

Early in the Evening Before Your Colonoscopy

Step 1. Open 1 flavor-enhancing packet and pour the contents into 1 bottle.

Step 2. Fill the provided bottle with lukewarm water up to the fill line. After capping the bottle, gently shake the bottle until all the powder has mixed well (dissolved). For best taste, refrigerate the solution for an hour before drinking. Do not freeze. Use within 24 hours.

Step 3. Drink 8 ounces of solution every 15 minutes until the bottle is empty.

Step 4. Drink an additional 16 ounces of water during the evening.

IMPORTANT: If nausea, bloating, or abdominal cramping occurs, pause or slow the rate of drinking the solution and additional water until symptoms diminish.

Day1 Dose1

The Morning of the Colonoscopy (5 to 8 hours prior to the colonoscopy, but no sooner than 4 hours from starting Dose 1)

Step 1. Repeat Step 1 to Step 3 from Day 1, Dose 1.

Step 2. Drink an additional 16 ounces of water during the morning.

IMPORTANT: If nausea, bloating, or abdominal cramping occurs, pause or slow the rate of drinking the solution and additional water until symptoms diminish.

Day2 Dose2
Stop drinking liquids at least 2 hours prior to colonoscopy.

Note

  • SUFLAVE is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon in preparation for colonoscopy in adults.
  • Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. SUFLAVE may affect how other medicines work.
  • Medication taken by mouth may not be absorbed properly when taken within 1 hour before the start of each dose of SUFLAVE.
  • The most common adverse reactions after administration of SUFLAVE were nausea, abdominal distension, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache.
  • If nausea, bloating, or abdominal cramping occurs, pause or slow the rate of drinking the solution and additional water until symptoms diminish.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you develop significant vomiting or signs of dehydration after taking SUFLAVE or if you experience cardiac arrhythmias or seizures.
  • If you have any questions about taking SUFLAVE, call your doctor.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INDICATION

SUFLAVE (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium sulfate, potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and sodium chloride for oral solution) is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon in preparation for colonoscopy in adults.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

A low residue breakfast may be consumed on the day before colonoscopy, followed by clear liquids up to 2 hours prior to colonoscopy. Administration of two doses of SUFLAVE are required for a complete preparation for colonoscopy. Each bottle must be reconstituted with water before ingestion. Each bottle and one flavor enhancing packet are equivalent to one dose. An additional 16 ounces of water must be consumed after each dose. Stop consumption of all fluids at least 2 hours before the colonoscopy.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Use is contraindicated in the following conditions: gastrointestinal obstruction or ileus, bowel perforation, toxic colitis or toxic megacolon, gastric retention, hypersensitivity to any ingredient in SUFLAVE.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Risk of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities: Encourage adequate hydration, assess concurrent medications and consider laboratory assessments prior to and after each use; Cardiac arrhythmias: Consider pre-dose and post-colonoscopy ECGs in patients at increased risk; Seizures: Use caution in patients with a history of seizures and patients at increased risk of seizures, including medications that lower the seizure threshold; Colonic mucosal ulcerations: Consider potential for mucosal ulcerations when interpreting colonoscopy findings in patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease; Patients with renal impairment or taking concomitant medications that affect renal function: Use caution, ensure adequate hydration and consider laboratory testing; Suspected GI obstruction or perforation: Rule out the diagnosis before administration; Patients at risk for aspiration: Observe during administration; Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis: Inform patients to seek immediate medical care if symptoms occur.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Most common adverse reactions (≥2%) are: nausea, abdominal distension, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Drugs that increase risk of fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

View the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

References:
1. SUFLAVE [package insert]. Braintree, MA: Braintree Laboratories, Inc. 2. Bhandari R, Goldstein M, Mishkin DS, et al. Comparison of a novel, flavor-optimized, polyethylene glycol and sulfate bowel preparation with oral sulfate solution in adults undergoing colonoscopy. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2023;57(9):920-927. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001894 3. Data on file. Braintree Laboratories, Inc.