Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To read our full Nondiscrimination Statement, click here.

Two Day Preparation Instructions for Colonoscopy

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Download these instructions as a PDF

The Day You Schedule Your Appointment 

  • Plan time off of work for the day of your colonoscopy.
  • You MUST have an escort to come into the hospital and take you home after the colonoscopy so start making these arrangements.

Seven Days Before Your Appointment

  • Fill prescription for the laxative and purchase one bottle of magnesium citrate at the pharmacy
  • Stop taking iron pills. Multi-vitamins can be continued.
  • If you are taking Coumadin/Warfarin or any other type of blood thinner please call your primary care doctor/Coumadin Clinic today for instructions on stopping the medication before your procedure.

Two Days Before Your Appointment

  • Drink at least eight glasses of water today.
  • STOP eating high-fiber foods such as vegetables and beans until after your colonoscopy.
  • You can eat all other types of foods today.
  • Drink the bottle of magnesium citrate after dinner.

The Day Before Your Appointment

  • ALL DAY TODAY FOLLOW A STRICT CLEAR LIQUID DIET. DO NOT EAT ANY FOOD OR THICK LIQUIDS AT ALL! Examples of clear liquids are: water, apple juice, broth (NOT SOUP WITH THINGS IN IT) Jell-O, tea/coffee without milk/cream, sodas, sports drinks, and popsicles, but nothing red colored.
  • At 6 p.m., place the mixed laxative solution inside of the fridge to cool. Do not use ice cubes.
  • At 8 p.m., drink half of the laxative solution – one cup every 10-15 minutes
  • Plan time off of work for the day of your colonoscopy.

The Day of Your Appointment

  • Six hours before your appointment time, drink the remaining half of the laxative solution. You must finish it at least two hours before the colonoscopy (finishing it three to five hours before is best).
  • If you have diabetes: Take half the dose of your insulin on the day of procedure and skip diabetes pill(s) unless directed otherwise. You should check your blood sugar level in the morning.
  • Take all of your other regular medications at least two hours prior to your test.
  • Stop taking anything by mouth, including clear liquids, at least two hours before the colonoscopy.
  • Stop taking iron pills. Multi-vitamins can be continued.

If you cannot keep this appointment or have questions regarding your procedure, please call 617-414-2600.