Golytely

• Golytely is a powder that is mixed with water. The doctor ordering the colonoscopy will write you a prescription for it. You will receive instructions from the pharmacist as to how much of the solution to drink and in what increments to drink it. You should make sure you have no where to go for the rest of the day when you begin to drink it because it will give you diarrhea. The object is to get your colon completely cleansed for the test. Your diarrhea will eventually turn in to clear liquid. You are then ready for the test. This treatment is done the night before the colonoscopy is scheduled.
  
  

Phospho-soda

• The second option to prepare for a colonoscopy is to use Phospho-soda. Purchase Phospho-soda at any drug store and mix the powder with some water. Drink it and then keep drinking a few glasses of water. You will then need to give yourself an enema. The two of these things combined should eliminate all of your fecal matter until you are only seeing clear liquid. You will then be ready for your test the next day.
  
  

No Food and Plenty of Liquid

• After you complete one of the two colon cleanses above you need to stay away from any food. Eating food before your colonoscopy will just fill your colon back up and you want it to stay clear. Then you must continue to drink clear liquids such as water, apple juice, coffee, or tea. These are necessary to keep you hydrated until your test is over. These measures should be followed from midnight the night before the test until the test is complete.