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EGD Prep Instructions

*Unless your physician has given you different instructions

If you are scheduled for both an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy, follow the colonoscopy prep sheet instructions.

IMPORTANT MEDICATION INFORMATION

The following medications must be paused before your procedure as directed:

Phentermine: Adipex-P, Qsymia, and Lomaira (Daily)

The following medications should be held as instructed prior to procedure

GLP-1 Medications

All GLP-1 medications, including those listed below, will need to be stopped seven (7) days prior to your procedure if you are on a weekly dose or the day of your procedure if you are on a daily dose.

  • Dulaglutide: Trulicity (Weekly)
  • Exenatide:Bydureon (Weekly) and Byetta (Daily)
  • Liraglutide: Victoza (Weekly) and Saxenda (Daily)
  • Lixisenatide: Adlyxin (Daily) and Soliqua (Daily)
  • Semaglutide:: Ozempic (Weekly), Wegovy (Weekly) and Rybelsus (Daily)
  • Tirzepatide: Mounjaro (Weekly) and Zepbound (Weekly)

General Prep Important Instructions

Notify Us in Advance If:

  • You take a blood thinner prescribed by a doctor such as Coumadin, Plavix, Effient, Eliquis, or Ticlid. Your gastroenterologist will assess whether the dosage needs to be adjusted before the procedure. Failure to make the necessary adjustments may result in cancellation. Aspirin can be continued as normal.
  • You are experiencing chest pain, currently undergoing cardiac testing, or have any pending cardiac tests. Please notify us before you start your prep.
  • You have been hospitalized recently.
  • You have a history of excessive bleeding after surgery or complications with anesthesia.
  • There is any possibility that you may be pregnant.

Bring an Adult Driver

You must bring an adult driver who is 18 years of age or older. That person must remain inside the Endoscopy Center for the full duration of your procedure. Because you will receive sedation, you are not permitted to drive until the following day. If your driver is unable to stay, your procedure will be rescheduled.

Rescheduling

If you need to reschedule your procedure, please call your physician’s office at least 3-4 days in advance so that we may schedule another patient in your appointment time.

DO NOT

  • Take iron, diet pills (Phentermine, Adipex, or Qsymia), weekly GLP-1 injections, or herbal supplements within 7 days of your procedure. Vitamins are fine.
  • Drink alcohol within 24 hours before or after your procedure.
  • Use gum, hard candy, breath mints, smokeless tobacco, or any illicit substances including marijuana on the day of your procedure.
  • Drink anything that is not a clear liquid. Milk and creamer are not permitted.
  • Consume any red or purple colored liquids.
  • Smoke, vape, chew tobacco, or use marijuana on the day of your procedure.
  • Eat solid food on the day of your procedure.

Other Important Details

  • If you wear dentures, you may be asked to remove them before the procedure.
  • Leave valuables at home. Body piercings will need to be removed for your safety.
  • If you have diabetes, do not take your diabetes medication on the day of your procedure. Bring it with you so you can take it once the procedure is complete.
  • If you have asthma, bring your inhaler.
  • You may take your regular prescribed medications with no more than 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) of water up to 3 hours before your scheduled arrival time.

Day of Procedure

You may take your regular prescribed medications (except those noted above) with water up to 3 hours before your arrival time. Make sure someone is with you for the entire procedure and available to drive you home. Due to sedation, you will not be allowed to drive yourself. Clear liquids include: water, coffee, tea, clear broth or bouillon, Gatorade, Powerade, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, Kool-Aid or similar flavored drinks, clear fruit juices such as apple or white grape juice, Jello, and popsicles.

NO RED OR PURPLE COLORS- NO MILK PRODUCTS- NO ALCOHOL

7 Days Before Procedure

Stop taking iron, aspirin, aspirin-containing products, and Pepto Bismol. If you take Coumadin, Plavix, Pradaxa, or any other blood thinner, contact your physician for specific instructions. Tylenol (acetaminophen) does not interfere with the procedure and can be taken normally. If you have been advised not to stop any medication suddenly, consult your doctor before making any changes.

1 Day Before Procedure

You may have your usual food until 10:00 pm. After 10:00 pm you may have clear liquids only until 3 hours before your scheduled arrival time.

If You Have Diabetes, Please Read

If You Have Diabetes, Please Read

Medications

  • If you take oral diabetes medications, do not take them on the day before your procedure (prep day) or on the day of your procedure until you have completed the procedure and returned to a normal diet.
  • If you use non-insulin injectable medications such as Byetta, Bydureon, Victoza, Trulicity, Tanzeum, or Symlin, skip your dose if your scheduled injection day falls on prep day. You may resume it after the procedure.
  • If you take insulin, reduce your dose by 50% on prep day and on the day of your procedure. Resume your normal dose once you have completed the procedure and returned to a normal diet.
  • If you use an insulin pump, contact your diabetes doctor for guidance. Most patients are advised to reduce their basal rate to 80% of their normal rate.

Diet

Aim for 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per meal. Even if you normally avoid sugars, they are acceptable during colonoscopy prep because they will serve as your primary calorie source while you are on a clear liquid diet.

For snacks, include fluids that contain electrolytes such as broth.

 

Please call us at 901-747-3630 if you have any questions or if you are having difficulty with the preparation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Download Prep Guide