A Brief Guide to Colonoscopy Preparation Kits
It is essential to the success of a colonoscopy procedure that you undergo adequate preparation. An important part of the prep is to cleanse your digestive tract and bowels using laxatives. This helps your doctor get better-quality images of your colon during the colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer manifests as tiny polyps clinging to the insides of your large intestine. Without clear photos, it becomes difficult to identify the unusual growth. Doctors might have to redo the procedure.
What is a Colonoscopy Prep Kit?
Colonoscopy prep kits also known as bowel prep kits are essentially oral laxative formulas that you are supposed to take before the procedure. In some cases, you might also be required to get a lower GI X-ray or colectomy. The laxative formula should be consumed the night before the colonoscopy is scheduled to take place.
What Does a Prep Kit Consist of?
There are many different bowel prep kits available in the market and most of them differ in their components. However, in general, they can be narrowed down to two key ingredients.
Osmotic laxative
The primary active ingredient present in a prep kit is the osmotic laxative (or hyperosmotic agent). Most kits contain a mix of several different osmotic laxatives. The bowel is incapable of absorbing these substances. Their influx, causes the bowel to draw in a greater quantity of water to force the substance through. The extra water softens the stool and increases the total volume in the colon. When the colon is full, it triggers peristalsis. The muscles contract and push every out.
Electrolytes
Purging your bowel is a very dehydrating process. It is important to keep your body hydrated by consuming enough water and electrolytes with hyperosmotic agents.
During the cleansing, a lot of the body’s water content moves into the bowels and is defecated before the body has a chance to reabsorb it. Electrolyte deficiency can cause severe health consequences. To battle this side effect, pharma manufacturers now sell prep kits with added fluids and electrolytes in the prep kit recipe.
Some Examples of Prep Kits
GoLYTELY
4 L-polyethylene-glycol (PEG) solution that comes in powder form and is supposed to be mixed with water. GoLYTELY contains sulfate, responsible for its strong taste.
NuLYTELY
NuLYTELY is similar to GoLYTELY, as in it’s a PEG solution. The only difference is NuLYTELY does not contain sulfate.
Moviprep
Low volume PEG solution with ascorbic acid. Individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) should avoid Moviprep since it can cause abnormal breakdown of the body’s red blood cells.
Plenvu
Plenvu and Moviprep are similar in their formulation, except plenvu is ingested in a lower volume.
OsmoPrep
These are sodium-phosphate-based tablets that are taken with water. Osmoprep has been previously linked to kidney problems and should only be used under medical supervision.
Suprep and Sutab
Sulfate-based prep kit in powder and tablet form respectively. Relatively safe and does not cause abnormal salt and water levels in the body.
Clenpiq
Sodium picosulfate-based bowel prep kit. Should be avoided in patients with kidney ailments.
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**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.
