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Enhanced Virtual Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation

Step #1: At least three days before your examination

Please come to Canada Diagnostic Centres to pick up the Bowel Preparation Kit (no extra charge). If you are unable to pick this up from our centre, we can have it sent to you via mail, but please indicate this to us in advance.

PREPARATION KIT
  • one x 450 ml bottle Readi-Cat Barry Smoothie (Barium)
  • one x 120 ml bottle Telebrix
  • two x 300ml bottle of Magnesium Citrate Solution
  • five x 5mg tablets of Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
  • one x 10 mg Bisacodyl suppository

With any medication there is always a very small risk of an allergic reaction, although the risk with Telebrix and Readi-Cat Barium is extremely rare. For individuals with a history of allergies, previous allergic reactions, asthma, eczema, a family history of allergy or a previous reaction to a radiology contrast agent, the risk may be slightly increased.

DO NOT USE THIS PREPARATION IF:

  • You are on a sodium restricted diet
  • You have kidney disease

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Step #2: Two days before your examination
(day #1 of prep)

TIME INSTRUCTION
Morning
and noon 		Follow a low residue diet for breakfast and lunch (see Diet Guidlines chart below). After lunch you must have a restricted diet consisting of clear liquids (see Clear Liquids chart below). Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration.

After lunch drink half of the 450 ml bottle of Readi-Cat barium (white, chalky tasting liquid) with fruit juice as needed. Save the other half for tomorrow.
5:00 pm Have a clear liquid dinner.
Take two Bisacodyl tablets.
6:00 pm Drink the 300ml bottle of Magnesium Citrate Solution. It's best to drink it as quickly as possible rather than slowly sipping it. This will cause you to have repeated loose stools (diarrhea), which is the expected result. It typically works within 30 minutes after drinking the Solution, but may take as long as 3 hours. You just need to be patient. Just remember to stay close to a bathroom.
7:00 pm Drink 4-8 more cups of 8 oz fruit juice or clear drink until bedtime.
Diet Guidelines

Two Days before your examination (day #1 of prep)

FOODS ALLOWED PLEASE AVOID
Dairy: Low fat milk, plain yogurt, cottage cheese; limit to two cups per day Yogurt with fruit skins or seeds, strongly flavoured cheeses
Meats Broiled, boiled or baked: fish, poultry (three) servings, eggs (two) Added fats, gravies, fried sauces, heavy seasonings
Potato/Substitute: White rice, spaghetti noodles, macaroni, potato with no skin Potato with skin, brown rice
Bread/cereal: White (refined) breads, (three servings) saltine crackers, cooked rice, cream of wheat, puffed rice or rice krispies Whole grain (graham, bran, cornmeal)
Beverages: Decaf coffee or decaf tea, fruit flavoured drinks All others
Soup: Bouillon/broth, strained soups. Soups made with allowed vegetables & meats All others
Dessert: Gelatin, fruit ice, Popsicle (no red colour). Applesauce, ripe bananas, plain hard candies Coconut, nuts, seeds
Vegetables: Cooked fresh, frozen or canned carrots, beets or asparagus tips All others
Miscellaneous: Salt, pepper, jelly, sugar, honey Garlic, cloves, seed spices, butter, BBQ sauce, peanut butter, jams, mayonnaise, marmalades, mustard, ketchup

* It is imperative that you avoid all fatty foods as well as caffeine.


CLEAR LIQUID DIET
  • Strained fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape, lemonade)
  • Water
  • Clear broth or bouillon
  • Decaf coffee or decaf tea (no milk or nondairy creamer).
  • Lime or Lemon: Gatorade
  • Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks
  • Kool-Aid (or other fruit flavoured drinks)
  • Plain Jell-O gelatine (without fruit or toppings)
  • Ice popsicles

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Step #3: One day before your examination
(day #2 of prep)

TIME INSTRUCTION
All Day Follow a restricted diet consisting of clear liquids (see above). Drink plenty of fluid throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Before starting your bowel prep, make sure you are close to the restroom.
Noon Drink last half of the (450 mL) bottle of Readi-Cat Barium.
3:00 pm Drink half of the 120 ml bottle of Telebrix (brown bottle) mixed with 8 oz fruit juice or clear drink. Throw the other half in the garbage (not needed). Follow with 3-4 8 oz. cups of clear fluids over the next three hours.
6:00 pm Have a clear liquid dinner.

After dinner, drink the 300ml bottle of Magnesium Citrate Solution. It's best to drink it as quickly as possible rather than slowly sipping it. This will cause you to have repeated loose stools (diarrhea), which is the expected result. It typically works within 30 minutes after drinking the Magnesium Citrate Solution, but may take as long as 3 hours. You just need to be patient. Just remember to stay close to a bathroom.

Have 3-4 more cups of 8 oz. fruit juice or clear drink over the next two hours.
9:00 pm Take three Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) tablets. Follow with four to eight 8 oz. cups of water throughout the evening.

Step #4: The day of your examination

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING ON THE DAY OF YOUR EXAMINATION.

 

TIME INSTRUCTION
Morning of exam Insert one 10 mg Bisacodyl suppository and wait 10 minutes before evacuating.

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