What is the amount of water a pt. has to drink with a laxative the day befor a colonoscopy?

Question

What is the amount of water a pt. has to drink with a laxative the day befor a colonoscopy?

Answer 1

I know bisacodyl/dulcolax with TriLyte are often prescribed before performing a colonoscopy, and in the pharmacy we work at, the Trilyte comes in this big jug containing 4000mL of liquid. So, 4000mL is equivalent to 1.06 gallons.

Answer 2

As much as you can stomach.  The preps are terribly dehydrating, and many of our patients are volume depleted when they come in for the procedure.  That makes it harder to get the IV in, and harder to do the procedure, and they end up with blood pressure lower than I like to see (which means I can't give as much anesthetic as I'd like to)

Drink, drink, drink!  You'll pee out any extra.

Answer 3

i think it should be at least 3 liters

Answer 4

It depends on which laxative you're taking.  If it is one of the Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) laxatives it is a massive amount of pure slime.  If you chose Fleet Phospho Soda and other similar acting laxatives, you should drink lots of clear fluids (like soft drinks, juices and/or sports drinks) also consume jell-o so as to keep yourself from damaging the kidneys.

Also, water replenishes the liquid; but, a clear sports drink (gatorade, powerade, etc) will replenish the electrolytes that are going to be depleted.