Colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that involves a deep examination of the large intestine using an endoscopic apparatus. Before the procedure, the patient must prepare his body in a certain way - cleanse the intestines from the contents. The list of drugs recommended for taking before colonoscopy is listed in the article - the patient can choose the drug that suits him in terms of properties and cost. Of course, before doing this, you should consult with your doctor, as the individual reaction to a particular drug may be different.
What is a colonoscopy and why is it prescribed
Colonoscopy is a method of examination with a special device - a colonoscope, which is inserted into the rectum and further through the intestines. It is generally accepted that the method allows you to explore the walls and lumen of the thickintestines. However, this is not the case, with the help of a colonoscopy, several goals can be achieved:
- get a picture of the area of interest of the intestine;
- take biomaterial for subsequent biopsy;
- make a video recording of the study, which will show all the pathologies (this will allow you to consult with several specialists, showing each of them the video material).
Colonoscopy is usually prescribed for patients with the following diseases and pathologies:
- suspicion of a tumor - colonoscopy reveals tumors and polyps not visible during barium enema;
- suspected Crohn's disease;
- chronic constipation;
- intestinal obstruction of various etiologies;
- inflammatory processes in the colon;
- suspected ulcerative colitis;
- intestinal bleeding;
- suspected foreign bodies in the intestinal cavity.
The following conditions and diseases are contraindications for colonoscopy:
- colds during an exacerbation;
- suspected cirrhotic disease;
- respiratory or heart failure;
- severe ischemic colitis;
- suspected peritonitis;
- poor blood clotting;
- psychopathology;
- hangover state;
- massive bowel injury due to ulcerative colitis;
- myocardial infarction or stroke (the procedure is only allowed after 6 months at the time of myocardial infarction or stroke).
Children 10-12 years oldif severe pathological processes in the intestines with a risk of internal bleeding are suspected, colonoscopy is performed under general anesthesia.
Before the procedure, the patient must prepare. A few days before the event, you should stop drinking alcohol, reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke, or stop smoking altogether. What you can eat in preparation for a colonoscopy is listed at the end of the article. The purpose of preparing for the examination is to clean the intestinal cavity from feces as much as possible. To this end, the doctor will advise the medicine before the colonoscopy. Most often, Fortrans is prescribed, it allows you to clean the intestinal cavity as much as possible in a short time. However, sometimes the patient does not tolerate this drug. In this case, you will need to take a different medicine.
Before a colonoscopy, you should not worry and be nervous. The examination, of course, is quite intimate, because during its course, a flexible tube with a special apparatus is inserted into the patient's anus, which is inserted quite deeply through the intestines. However, if you relax and take the correct posture, then there will be a minimum amount of pain. But after the examination, it will be possible to accurately state the presence or absence of a particular diagnosis, as well as prescribe a treatment that will most likely bring relief to the patient.
Ways to cleanse the bowel before a colonoscopy
The main task of the preparatory period three days before the study is to properly cleanlarge intestine from slag deposits, fecal accumulations, gases, possible blood clots and mucus.
Some patients are extremely negative about taking any medication. Such people try to hide from the doctor the fact that they began to take a laxative. Patients use other bowel cleansing methods:
- taking senna tea, the leaves of this plant have long been famous for their laxative effect;
- enema with herbal solution or plain water;
- candles with glycerin, which also have a laxative effect.
And indeed, all these remedies are good for cleansing the intestines at home. But there is one caveat. They are not able to replace colon cleansing tablets before a colonoscopy. The fact is that the procedure requires getting rid of the deepest sections of the intestine from fecal deposits. A special tea or enema cannot do the job.
A bowel cleansing laxative before a colonoscopy should have the following properties:
- soften feces in a short time;
- promote their removal from the body as quickly as possible;
- have minimal toxicity;
- have as few contraindications and side effects as possible.
If the patient tries to cheat and does not take the pills prescribed by the doctor, the result of the colonoscopy will be unsatisfactory. Fecal masses will partially cover the mucosa, therefore it will be difficult to draw a conclusion about its true state. In addition, feces willprevent the passage of the apparatus into the intestine. In order to avoid difficulties, it is necessary to follow all the rules prescribed by the doctor and take the drug and in the amount that the doctor prescribes.
What drugs are used before a colonoscopy?
Medicines with a laxative effect differ in the principle of action. Each of them, depending on one or another active substance, has a list of possible side effects and contraindications. If you decide to choose one or another drug, be sure to call your doctor and make sure that taking this drug before a colonoscopy is possible. Some drugs act slowly, while the intestines are partially emptied - this result will not be enough for the procedure.
So, the names of drugs for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy:
- "Fortrans";
- "Moviprep";
- "Lavacol";
- "Fleet";
- "Duphalac".
These are the most effective laxatives, the intake of which provokes a rapid and almost complete bowel movement. This allows you to carry out the procedure with the highest quality.
"Fortrans": instructions, indications, patient reviews
The main active ingredient is macrogol 4000. It also contains potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium saccharinate. The drug belongs to the pharmacological class of laxatives with osmotic action. Release form - powder,packaged in sachets, intended for the preparation of a suspension. Since the composition of the drug includes electrolytes, when taken, there is no violation of the water-s alt balance in the body, according to the instructions for use for Fortrans.
Before colonoscopy, dilute the contents of one sachet in water and drink. Three hours later (preferably before going to bed), repeat the manipulation with a new bag. In the morning, bowel cleansing will occur (some patients report that the urge to empty begins at night). After that, you can go to the procedure. The patient should also not forget about proper nutrition before the colonoscopy.
Instructions for use for "Fortrans" reports that the drug has the following indications for use:
- colon cleansing before x-ray, endoscopy, colonoscopy;
- preparing the bowel for surgery;
- preparation for barium enema.
Possible side effects: bloating, nausea, vomiting, in rare cases, allergic reactions.
Patient reviews report that Fortrans is usually well tolerated. The most common side effect is flatulence (bloating). This reaction is quite predictable, since the action of the drug is to increase the contents of the intestine. In different patients, the effect of taking the drug is observed at different times. Sometimes a bowel movement is observed literally in the first hour after taking the second dose, in most - five to six hours after taking the second dose. The maximum time span is ten hours.
"Moviprep": instructions, contraindications and reviews about the drug
The main active ingredient is macrogol 3350. The concentration of the active substance is slightly lower than in the composition of Fortrans. In some cases, its action is not enough. For this reason, doctors usually prescribe Fortrans to patients before colonoscopy.
Instructions for use for "Moviprep" reports that the tool has the following indications for use:
- colon cleansing before x-ray, colonoscopy;
- constipation caused by malnutrition;
- need for emergency emptying;
- preparing the bowel for surgery;
- preparation for barium enema.
The drug should be taken the night before the colonoscopy. Instructions for use for "Moviprep" reports that there are the following contraindications for admission:
- hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug;
- toxic megacolon, a complication of severe inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis;
- perforation or risk of gastrointestinal perforation;
- gastroparesis;
- intestinal obstruction;
- phenylketonuria;
- glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency;
- under the age of 18.
If the patient is unconscious or insane, then usethe drug is not allowed. Patient reviews report that the effect after taking "Moviprep" is observed after an average of five hours. However, depending on the individual characteristics of the organism, it may come a little earlier or later.
Description of the drug "Lavacol". Patient reviews about it
"Lavacol" before a colonoscopy is prescribed relatively rarely. The main active ingredient is macrogol, just like Fortrans. However, this drug is less common in pharmacies, so it is easier for doctors to prescribe Fortrans, which is always in stock.
The drug is indicated as a laxative for bowel cleansing before endoscopy, barium enema, X-ray, colonoscopy. The principle of action is the same as that of all other drugs with macrogol in the composition.
Feedback from patients who took Lavacol is positive. The drug does not cause side effects, in rare cases, patients noted only bloating after taking the second dose. Bowel movements are observed approximately five to six hours after the first dose and three to four hours after the second.
"Fleet" for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy
"Fleet" is a laxative that promotes water retention in the intestines, which leads to liquefaction and softening of feces and facilitating bowel movements. It has a purely local effect, the metabolites of the drug do not enter the bloodstream,as is the case with most laxatives of the newer drugs. Bowel cleansing before colonoscopy with Fleet is possible, however, doctors prescribe it relatively rarely.
"Fleet" has a number of contraindications for admission, it can not be used in the presence of the following diseases:
- abdominal pain of any nature;
- in violation of kidney function;
- ascites and cirrhosis are also contraindications;
- suspicion of intestinal obstruction;
- any pathological process accompanied by vomiting;
- acute infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
There are relatively few reviews of bowel cleansing with Fleet before colonoscopy. Since it is not the drug of first choice in this procedure. However, patients note that there were no side effects when taken. Fleet is well tolerated and causes bowel movements approximately five hours after ingestion.
"Duphalac": instructions for use, indications for admission and reviews about the drug
The main active ingredient of the drug is lactulose. Release form - syrup and powder for suspension. The drug has a hyperosmotic effect, and also greatly stimulates intestinal motility.
Indications for the use of "Duphalac":
- for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy;
- for emptying an organ before x-rays, surgical interventions;
- chronicconstipation.
Before using the drug, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications and, if there is at least one, refuse to use "Duphalac":
- lactulose intolerance;
- galactosemia;
- colostomy and ileostomy;
- intestinal obstruction of various etiologies;
- suspected appendix inflammation;
- diabetes.
Patient reviews of "Duphalac" are positive. The drug almost does not cause side effects, in rare cases, patients complain of bloating. Bowel movement occurs on average six to seven hours after the first dose of the drug.
Should I use Senade before a colonoscopy?
"Senade" is a popular laxative, the main component is the pressed leaves of the senna plant. This might be the most popular laxative among shoppers, but it should not be taken before a colonoscopy.
The fact is that the effect of "Senade" is rather delayed - bowel movements can occur after 8 or 12 hours after taking the pill. Such an unpredictable result is not suitable for research preparation. After all, the hour of the procedure may come, and the intestinal cavity may still not be sufficiently cleaned. For this reason, preparations containing senna are almost never used in preparation for colonoscopy.
What can I eat before the procedure?
This issue should also be given attention. According to experts, preparations for the examination should begin three days in advance. It is necessary to completely abandon the use of alcoholic beverages, sweet sparkling water, reduce the consumption of black tea and coffee. The patient is advised to drink as much clean water as possible.
Three days before your colonoscopy, you should stop eating the following foods and dishes:
- fatty meat, barbecue, canned and smoked meat;
- fresh bakery products (if it is not possible to refuse completely, then reduce consumption to a minimum);
- sweets, especially those with high fat content;
- grapes, persimmon;
- sauerkraut and stew;
- cauliflower and broccoli.
Any dishes and products that individually provoke bloating and constipation in a person should be excluded. On the contrary, you need to enrich your diet with those foods that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the intestines and improve peristalsis.
