Bowel Preparations
Description General Measures Medicine Treatment DESCRIPTION Bowel preparation is essential for colonoscopy. LoE:IIa i GENERAL MEASURES Health care professionals should provide both oral and written patient education instructions and emphasise the importance of adherence to the bowel preparation. MEDICINE TREATMENT Start bowel preparation as a split-dose regimen the day before the scheduled proced
DESCRIPTION
Bowel preparation is essential for colonoscopy.
GENERAL MEASURES
Health care professionals should provide both oral and written patient education instructions and emphasise the importance of adherence to the bowel preparation.
MEDICINE TREATMENT
Start bowel preparation as a split-dose regimen the day before the scheduled procedure: half the dose the night before and half the dose on the day of colonoscopy.
Commence a low residue diet the day before.
Preparations containing ingredients such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium sulphate are adequate for bowel cleansing.
- PEG/sodium sulphate oral, solution:
- Prescribe 2 litres the night before the procedure and 2 litres the following morning, two hours prior to the procedure.
Note:
Routine use of adjunctive agents (e.g. bisacodyl, senna, prokinetics) for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy is not recommended.
Click here for the NEMLC Recommendations for medicine amendments (2020-4 review cycle).
Standard Treatment Guidelines And Essential Medicines List For South Africa, Adult Hospital level, 2020-4_Version 1_July 2024
Chapter 1: Alimentary tract; 1.1 Gastrointestinal Disorders; 1.1.1 Bowel Preparations