Preparing for a colonoscopy involves using a bowel prep kit to clean out your colon. This allows your gastroenterologist to get the best view of your colon. Follow the instructions for CLENPIQ exactly as they’re written.
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CLENPIQ® is a brand name for a medication containing sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide and citric acid. They work as a laxative to clean out your colon (large intestine) to prepare it for a colonoscopy.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Bowel prep cleans out your colon. This helps your gastroenterologist see the lining of your colon. A clean colon lets your doctor identify polyps that may lead to cancer. For your doctor, a clean colon is like driving on a clear, sunny day. A dirty colon is like driving in a rainstorm.
CLENPIQ bowel prep typically comes in a ready-to-drink solution (a small bottle). You drink one bottle the day before your exam and a second bottle on the day of your exam. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
If you’re a Cleveland Clinic patient, you must follow the instructions for bowel preparation exactly as prescribed or your colonoscopy will be canceled.
The following instructions are key to a successful colonoscopy:
Your bowel must be empty so that your doctor can clearly view your colon.
A responsible adult driver must be with you when you check in before your colonoscopy. They must stay in the waiting area until you’re discharged. You’re not allowed to leave alone after your colonoscopy. If you don’t have a driver with you to take you home, your exam will be canceled.
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For your safety, certain medications will need to be stopped or adjusted before you can have your procedure. These include:
Medications like aspirin, antibiotics or diuretics should be taken the day of the exam with a sip of water. If you’re unsure about which medications you can continue to take, please contact your healthcare provider.
You should only drink clear liquids starting the day before your colonoscopy. Don’t eat any solid foods.
You can continue to drink clear liquids until three hours before your colonoscopy. The table shows what you can and can’t drink:
OK to Drink (No Red, Purple or Orange Liquids) | DO NOT DRINK |
---|---|
Gatorade or Powerade in yellow, green or blue | Alcohol |
Clear broth or bouillon | Milk or non-dairy creamer |
Coffee or tea (no milk or creamer. Sugar and sugar substitutes are OK) | Noodles or vegetables in broth |
Sodas/soft drinks | Juice with pulp |
Kool-Aid or other fruit-flavored drinks in yellow, green or blue | Liquid you can’t see through |
Strained fruit juices (no pulp) | |
Jell-O, Popsicles, hard candy (not red, purple or orange) | |
Water | |
OK to Drink (No Red, Purple or Orange Liquids) | |
Gatorade or Powerade in yellow, green or blue | |
DO NOT DRINK | |
Alcohol | |
Clear broth or bouillon | |
DO NOT DRINK | |
Milk or non-dairy creamer | |
Coffee or tea (no milk or creamer. Sugar and sugar substitutes are OK) | |
DO NOT DRINK | |
Noodles or vegetables in broth | |
Sodas/soft drinks | |
DO NOT DRINK | |
Juice with pulp | |
Kool-Aid or other fruit-flavored drinks in yellow, green or blue | |
DO NOT DRINK | |
Liquid you can’t see through | |
Strained fruit juices (no pulp) | |
DO NOT DRINK | |
Jell-O, Popsicles, hard candy (not red, purple or orange) | |
DO NOT DRINK | |
Water | |
DO NOT DRINK | |
Note: Brand names are registered trademarks.
You’ll drink the bowel preparation at two different times, separated by several hours. You need to complete the bowel prep entirely — as instructed — or your procedure may need rescheduled.
You can refrigerate the CLENPIQ bottles the afternoon before your colonoscopy. But do not add ice, sugar or other flavoring to the solution.
Part 1: 6:00 p.m. on the evening before your colonoscopy
Part 2: Six hours before your colonoscopy on the day of your procedure
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Some people's bowels move slowly, and they may need different instructions. Please see your doctor for personalized bowel prep instructions if you have:
You may take extra laxatives in the days leading to your prep. This should help resolve your constipation before your bowel prep day.
Contact your physician as you’ll likely need additional bowel prep instructions.
Certain medical conditions and medications can slow bowel emptying or lead to constipation. Conditions like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis (MS) or using a wheelchair can slow down your digestion. Medications like narcotics, gabapentin and anticholinergic medications can also have an impact. Contact your physician and be sure to share your medical history and current medication use, as you’ll likely need extra time and additional laxatives to complete your bowel prep.
Start your prep two to three hours earlier to allow yourself more time to complete the entire prep.
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If you can’t finish your entire bowel prep, you’ll likely need to reschedule your colonoscopy due to poor prep quality.
Gastric bypass surgery involves your stomach and small bowel. It doesn’t change the length of your colon. You may need to drink smaller amounts, more slowly. You’ll need to complete the entire bowel prep, it may just take longer time to complete it.
Please consult your nephrologist prior to scheduling to get instructions that are specific to you. In general, dialysis patients take the Golytely bowel prep and have the procedure on the same day as their dialysis (colonoscopy in AM, dialysis in PM).
If you can pour it in a glass and you can see through it, it’s considered "clear liquid."
An adult must be present with you at check-in for your colonoscopy and remain in the endoscopy area until you’re discharged. You can hire a driver to take you home only if this adult escort is with you at check-in, remains in the endoscopy area until you’re discharged, and takes the hired ride home with you.
No, you must have an adult with you when you check in. Your responsible adult must remain in the endoscopy center during your procedure and then drive you home. You can’t drive a vehicle after your procedure for the rest of the day.
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Bowel preparation is a critical part of your colonoscopy. Make sure to follow your gastroenterologist’s instructions on how prepare for your exam. Having a clear colon makes it easier for them to detect polyps and other abnormalities. Be sure to ask them any questions you have about using CLENPIQ before you begin.
A colonoscopy or other screening is an important test for colon cancer. The team at Cleveland Clinic can give you peace of mind and expert care when you need it.
Last reviewed on 04/22/2025.
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