GastroCares
Patient Preparation Instructions

Colonoscopy Prep Instructions

Please read these instructions carefully and in their entirety at least one week before your procedure. Proper preparation is essential for a successful colonoscopy.

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Read This Packet at Least One Week Before Your Procedure

All of Dr. Khan's preps are unique to the individual patient and you may be asked to begin prepping a few days in advance. Do NOT wait until the day before to read your instructions.

Procedure Location

Garden State Endoscopy & Surgery Center

Diamond Head Building
200 Sheffield Street, Ste #101
Mountainside, NJ 07092

(908) 241-8900

Arrival Time

1 Hour Prior to Your Procedure

Total time at the center is approximately 3-4 hours.

What to Bring

  • Insurance card(s)
  • Photo ID
  • Adult driver (18+)

No taxis. No jewelry or body piercings.

Hydration Is Critical

You must drink 48-64 oz of water daily for 3 days before your colonoscopy. This is a very important step. If you cannot drink this much water on a daily basis, please call the office and we will change your prep.

Important Information About Medications

Do NOT Take

  • • Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Motrin
  • • Fish Oil, Vitamin E
  • • Coumadin or similar blood thinners
  • • For 7 days before the test (unless advised otherwise by Dr. Khan)
  • • No smoking for 12 hours before
  • • No vaping or marijuana for 24 hours
  • • Nothing by mouth 4 hours before

You CAN Take

  • • Tylenol if needed
  • • AM medications at least 4 hours before with sips of water
  • • Zyrtec or Claritin 4 hours before for allergies/post-nasal drip
  • • If diabetic, please inform the staff
  • • If on blood thinners, your doctor needs to know so they can be stopped if indicated

Diet Before Your Procedure

Stay on CLEAR LIQUIDS only the day before your colonoscopy

OK to Drink

  • • Coffee or tea (no cream or non-dairy creamer)
  • • Fruit juices (without pulp)
  • • Apple or white grape juice
  • • Gelatin desserts (no fruit or toppings)
  • • Water
  • • Chicken or beef broth
  • • Clear soda (such as ginger ale)
  • • Gatorade
  • • Jell-O / ice pops

Do NOT Drink/Eat

  • • Milk or dairy products
  • • Anything red, blue, or purple in color
  • • Alcohol
  • • Solid foods beginning the day before your colonoscopy
  • • Nothing by mouth 4 hours before procedure

Choose Your Prep Type

Select the prep that Dr. Khan has prescribed for you

Sutab Prep Instructions

Tablet-based 2-day split-dose regimen (24 tablets total)

SUTAB Part 1 — May Not Apply to You

You may be asked to start prepping with DULCOLAX 5mg laxative tablets a few days before the actual Sutab prep. Take 4 Dulcolax tablets each night for 1, 2, or 3 night(s) before beginning the actual prep, as instructed by Dr. Khan. If this was not specified, you do NOT need to take Dulcolax and can proceed to Part 2.

SUTAB Part 2 — Applies to Everyone

  • •Do not take any oral medications within 1 hour of starting each dose of SUTAB.
  • •If taking Tetracycline, Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, Iron, Digoxin, Chlorpromazine, or Penicillamine: take these medications at least 2 hours before and not less than 6 hours after each dose of SUTAB.

Suggested Times to Take Sutab Pills

9 AM – 1 PM Procedure
Dose 1: 5 PM day before procedure
Dose 2: 11 PM day before procedure
1:30 PM – 5 PM Procedure
Dose 1: 10 PM day before procedure
Dose 2: 6 AM day of procedure

The Dosing Regimen

SUTAB is a split-dose (2-day) regimen. A total of 24 tablets is required for complete preparation. You will take the tablets in two doses of 12 tablets each. Water must be consumed with each dose, and additional water must be consumed after each dose.

1DOSE 1 — On the Day Prior to Colonoscopy
Step 1: Open 1 bottle of 12 tablets.
Step 2: Fill the provided container with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line). Swallow each tablet with a sip of water, and drink the entire amount of water over 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 3: Approximately 1 hour after the last tablet is ingested, fill the container again with 16 ounces of water and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes.
Step 4: Approximately 30 minutes after finishing the second container, fill the container with 16 ounces of water and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes.
Important: If you experience preparation-related symptoms (nausea, bloating, or cramping), pause or slow the rate of drinking until your symptoms diminish.
2DOSE 2 — Day of the Colonoscopy
• Continue to consume only clear liquids until after the colonoscopy.
• The morning of the colonoscopy (5 to 8 hours prior to the colonoscopy and no sooner than 4 hours from starting Dose 1), open the second bottle of 12 tablets.
• Repeat Step 1 through Step 4 from Dose 1.
Important: You must complete all SUTAB tablets and required water at least 2 hours before colonoscopy.
Download Full Sutab PDF

Critical Reminder

On the morning of your colonoscopy, you must be passing CLEAR liquid without any debris. If you don't see the bottom of the toilet bowl through it, your colon is not clean.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY:It is your responsibility to let Dr. Amber Khan's office know of any changes or updates to your medical history or medications at least one week prior to your procedure. This includes new medications prescribed, any new heart or lung symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath), or hospital admissions.

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