NuLYTELY bowel prep before surgery

Purchase antibiotics and NuLYTELY prep solution

Can be purchased at any drug store. If you are not sure what to buy, please ask the pharmacist. Prescription is needed for both the NuLYTELY solution and the Neomycin and Erythromycin antibiotics. If you do not have a prescription, please contact your physician.

Day before your colonoscopy exam

In the morning, prepare your NuLYTELY solution according to the instructions on the package and refrigerate.

The hospital will call you the day before your exam (Friday for Monday procedures) to notify you of your arrival and procedure times. If you are not going to be home to receive this call, please call the pre-surgical nurse at (608) 643-7193 weekdays (Monday through Friday) between 9a.m. and 4p.m. to obtain your arrival time. Your allergies, medical and surgical history, and medications will be reviewed over the telephone, so have this information available.

Drink only clear liquids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Solid foods, milk, or dairy products are not allowed. Clear liquids include all of the following that are not colored red or purple:

strained fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape, lemonade)
water
clear broth or bouillon
coffee or tea (without milk or nondairy creamer)
Gatorade
carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks
Kool-Aid (or other fruit flavored drinks)
plain Jell-O (without added fruit or toppings)
ice Popsicles

At 1 p.m.

Take 1 dose of Neomycin and Erythromycin antibiotics. These medications may cause upset stomach, but are important in preventing infection after your surgery.

At 5 p.m.

Begin drinking NuLYTELY solution as instructed - 8 oz. every 10 - 15 minutes until the bottle is empty. For most patients, rapidly drinking a glassful is better than sipping an ounce or two at a time. Remain close to toilet facilities as multiple bowel movements will occur.
You will have consumed several glassfuls before having the first loose, watery bowel movement. Initially, you may feel slightly bloated, but will become more comfortable as you continue to have bowel movements. If you get too full or become nauseated, stop drinking, wait 30-60 minutes, and then start drinking again, but slower. Keep drinking until your stools are clear. It will take approximately 3 hours to finish the solution. Diarrhea will continue for at least 1 hour after you finish drinking the solution.

Before Bed

Take the second dose of Neomycin and Erythromycin antibiotics