MiraLAX® Colonoscopy Preparation
Follow every step so your colon is clean and your procedure can be completed safely.
Confirm Your Procedure Location
Your procedure will take place at one of the locations below. Your care team will tell you which one. The location staff will call you with your arrival time.
- HCA South Tampa Hospital — 2901 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33609 | (813) 873-6400
- Tampa Bay Endoscopy Center — 4809 N Armenia Ave, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33603 | (813) 658-5037
- St. Joseph’s Hospital – Main — 3001 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa, FL 33614 | (813) 870-4000
- AdventHealth Carrollwood — 7171 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614 | (813) 932-2222
- New Port Richey Surgery Center — 9332 SR 54, Suite 100, Trinity, FL 34655 | (727) 848-0446
- BayCare Surgery Center – Trinity — 2020 Trinity Oaks Blvd, Trinity, FL 34655 | (727) 372-4055
- Trinity Hospital — 9330 SR-54 E, Trinity, FL 34655
Your Preparation Timeline
Your timing depends on whether your procedure is in the morning or the afternoon. Check your appointment time before you start, and follow the matching set of instructions below. If you are not sure, call us.
2 to 3 days before
- Stay on a low-fiber diet.
- Avoid nuts, seeds, beans, corn, and peas.
2 days before — only if you have constipation
- Begin clear liquids in the morning.
- 6:00 p.m.: drink 10 oz of magnesium citrate.
- Do not take magnesium citrate if you have congestive heart failure (CHF) or are on dialysis.
The day before
- Clear liquids only, all day. No solid food.
- In the morning, mix 238 g of MiraLAX with 64 oz of a sports drink and refrigerate it.
If your procedure is in the MORNING
- 6:00 p.m. the day before: Take 2 bisacodyl tablets, then drink 8 oz of the solution every 15 minutes for 4 doses — half the container.
- 11:00 p.m. the day before: Take 2 bisacodyl tablets, then finish the remaining solution the same way.
- You may finish the second half early the morning of your procedure instead, as long as you are done by 6:00 a.m.
- Nothing by mouth once you finish the second half.
If your procedure is in the AFTERNOON
- About 10:00 p.m. the day before: Take 2 bisacodyl tablets, then drink 8 oz of the solution every 15 minutes for 4 doses — half the container.
- The morning of your procedure: Take 2 bisacodyl tablets, then finish the remaining solution the same way.
- Clear liquids are allowed until 9:00 a.m. Nothing by mouth after that.
- If you have diabetes, nothing by mouth 2 hours before your procedure.
Medication Adjustments
| When | Medication | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| Stop 7 days before | GLP-1 medications | Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus (semaglutide); Mounjaro, Zepbound (tirzepatide); Trulicity (dulaglutide); Victoza, Saxenda (liraglutide) |
| Stop 7 days before | Phentermine and weight-loss medicines | Adipex-P (phentermine) and combination weight-loss medicines containing phentermine |
| Stop 7 days before | Aspirin | Full-dose aspirin and aspirin-containing products. Baby aspirin (81 mg) is not stopped — keep taking it as usual. |
| Stop 7 days before | NSAIDs | Advil, Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and similar anti-inflammatory pain relievers. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is fine. |
| Stop 7 days before | Iron, multivitamins with iron, and fish oil | Ferrous sulfate; prenatal vitamins and multivitamins containing iron; omega-3 and fish-oil supplements |
| Stop 3 days before | SGLT-2 inhibitors | Jardiance (empagliflozin), Farxiga (dapagliflozin), Invokana (canagliflozin), Steglatro (ertugliflozin) |
| Stop 2 days before | Fiber supplements | Metamucil, Citrucel, Benefiber, psyllium, methylcellulose, wheat dextrin |
| Ask us | Blood thinners | Coumadin, Plavix, Xarelto, Eliquis, Brilinta and similar. These are usually held 2 to 5 days before, depending on the medication. Do not stop one on your own. |
Important: do not stop a prescription blood thinner or diabetes medicine unless your prescribing clinician or the procedure team gives you specific instructions. If you are unsure about any medication, call us at 813-600-3709.
Medications on the Day of Your Procedure
If you have diabetes
- Insulin-dependent: you may take insulin if necessary, but at half your usual dose, with close glucose monitoring. Keep a sugary clear liquid available in case you need to correct your blood sugar.
- Not insulin-dependent: hold your oral diabetes medication until after your procedure.
- Nothing by mouth 2 hours before your procedure.
Everyone else
- Unless your doctor told you otherwise, take your prescribed medications on schedule with a small sip of water at least 3 hours before your procedure. Take nothing else by mouth until the procedure is done.
- Take all seizure and blood pressure medication the morning of your procedure unless told otherwise.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you.
Clear Liquids
A clear liquid is one you can see through. If you cannot read print through it, it is not clear.
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Water | Any solid food |
| Clear broth or bouillon | Milk, cream, or non-dairy creamer |
| Apple juice or white grape juice | Orange juice or any juice with pulp |
| Lemonade without pulp | Smoothies |
| Sports drinks | Alcohol |
| Clear soda or ginger ale | Anything red or purple |
| Tea or coffee without milk or creamer | |
| Gelatin and ice pops without fruit pieces |
Safety and Getting Home
- You must have a responsible adult drive you home. Your driver must be 18 or older and stay onsite during your procedure.
- A rideshare, taxi, or public transportation on your own does not qualify. If you arrive without a driver, we will have to reschedule.
- No driving, working, signing legal documents, or making important decisions for 24 hours.
- No tobacco, vaping, or marijuana on the day of your procedure.
- Tell your doctor if you have had a heart valve replacement, take blood thinners, or use insulin.
Cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give us at least 3 business days’ notice. Procedures cancelled with less notice are subject to a $150 fee. Call 813-600-3709.
Questions About Your Prep
Call us at 813-600-3709, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Read these instructions a few days ahead so you have time to buy what you need and to call with questions before you start. If you begin the prep and cannot keep it down, or you have severe pain or vomiting, call us.