A colonoscopy is a short procedure done under anesthesia. A pediatric gastroenterologist passes a thin, flexible camera through the bottom to look at the large intestine. Small biopsies are usually taken. The procedure itself takes about 20–45 minutes, but plan to be at the facility for several hours total. The colon must be clean for the camera to see well — that's what the medicines below are for.
Buy these items at least 2 days before the procedure. Check the active ingredient on the label — brand-name shortcuts can lead to the wrong product.
| Active ingredient / Item | What to get |
|---|---|
| Lactulose oral solution (10 g per 15 mL) — prescription required Call the office if you have not received a prescription. |
180 mL bottle enough for big prep with rescue |
| Bisacodyl 5 mg tablets (Dulcolax Tablets — Overnight Laxative) ⚠️ NOT Dulcolax liquid or soft-chews |
2 Dulcolax 5 mg tablets (10 mg total) |
| Gatorade or Powerade (any color except red or purple) — for mixing with the lactulose | At least 45 oz |
| Skin protection — protective ointment (Desitin or Vaseline) for anal-area comfort | 1 tube |
Prepare a list of medications and be ready to discuss them with the nurse or scheduler when they call.
Stop iron, anti-diarrhea medicine 7 days before.
You can verify what medications may need to be stopped at meds.giready.com.
⚠️ If any history or suspicion of constipation, please do a pre-cleanout before the regular prep timeline below:
15 mL of lactulose mixed into 4 oz of clear liquid, 3 times daily for 3 days — best done over the weekend before the procedure
Then continue prescribed daily laxatives, or at least 15 mL of lactulose daily, until the procedure.
This is the lactulose-in-Gatorade mix your child will drink on prep day. Find your child's weight and mix that amount:
| Your Child's Weight | Lactulose to Mix | Into Gatorade |
|---|---|---|
| 21–30 kg (46–66 lb) | 90 mL | 28 oz (~850 mL) |
Lactulose is naturally sweet. Most children accept it well mixed with Gatorade.
⚠️ Lactulose may cause gas and bloating — this is normal. Contact the office if symptoms are severe.
| AVOID | OK to eat |
|---|---|
| Whole grains, nuts, seeds | White rice, pasta, potatoes (no skin) |
| Raw fruits and vegetables | Bananas, melons, cooked veggies |
| Corn, beans, popcorn | Eggs, chicken, fish, yogurt, pudding |
If you forget the bedtime Dulcolax dose: on the day of prep, give 2 tablets (10 mg) with or just before the lactulose — that's the bedtime dose (1 tablet) added to the scheduled day-of dose (1 tablet). Don't skip — combine.
After 2:00 PM — clear liquids only.
| AVOID | OK to eat / drink |
|---|---|
| RED or PURPLE drinks or foods | Water, apple juice, white grape juice |
| Dairy (milk, yogurt, ice cream); juices with pulp | Lemonade, clear soda, clear broth |
| Any solid food | Popsicles, plain Jell-O, tea/coffee without milk |
Best to start right after school — don't delay too long, or your child may not finish before bedtime.
Drink each cup fast (don't sip slowly — quick drinking helps the stomach empty and reduces nausea). Cold is easier — that's why we refrigerated it overnight. If your child can't keep up, pause 30 minutes and resume. If your child vomits, wait 30 minutes and restart at a slower rate.
If stools are not clear or pale yellow 4 hours after starting (or if no stools), give extra lactulose:
Meal ideas for the low-residue (“white”) diet. Continue this diet for the 3 days before the procedure, through lunch the day before. After 2:00 PM the day before, switch to clear liquids only — no dairy.
Call (317) 338-9450 if your child has any of the following after the procedure:
