Preparation for a CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)
The most important part of any CT colonography happens before you come to the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center. To get a good look at the lining of the colon, it is necessary to clean out any traces of food or other material.
This means you must maintain a restricted diet the day before your exam and take colon-cleaning medications.
A prep-kit with detailed instructions and the medication you need to take before your exam is available from us.
You can either pick up this prep-kit in person, or request that it be mailed to you. To request a prep-kit, or for more information, call (310) 423-3266.
Day Prior to your Procedure:
8:00am | One (1) 20 ml bottle of Tagitol V. Shake well. |
Noon: | One (1) 20 ml bottle of Tagitol V. Shake well. Clear soup (any broth); strained fruit juices without pulp; flavored jello of any color (do not add extra ingredients); soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea. |
1:00pm | Drink one (1) full 8 fl. oz glass of water |
2:00pm | Drink one (1) full 8 fl. oz glass of water |
3:00pm | Drink one (1) full 8 fl. oz glass of water |
4:00pm | Drink one (1) full 8 fl. oz glass of water |
5:00pm | One (1) 20 ml bottle of Tagitol V. Shake well. Clear soup (any broth); strained fruit juices without pulp; flavored jello of any color (do not add extra ingredients); soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea. |
5:30pm | Slowly add contents of the packet of Magnesium Carbonate, Citric Acid, and Potassium Citrate for Oral Solution to 8 fl oz glass of water in a large glass (minimum 16 fl oz capacity). Stir gently. After effervescence (fizzing) stops, stir gently and drink entire contents of glass. |
6:00pm | Drink one (1) full 8 fl. oz glass of water |
7:00pm | Drink one (1) full 8 fl. oz glass of water |
7:30pm | Peel the backing off the packet of bisacodyl tablets and remove the four (4) enclosed tablets. Take all four (4) with one (1) 8 fl. Oz glass of water. DO NOT CHEW TABLETS. The tablets are to be taken two (2) hours after drinking the Magnesium Carbonate, Citric Acid, and Potassium Citrate for Oral Solution. |
8:00pm | Drink one (1) full 8 fl. oz glass of water |
9:00pm | Drink one (1) full 8 fl. oz glass of water. Do not eat after 9:00pm. |
Day of Procedure - Do not eat or drink anything
- At least 2 hours before the examination, unwrap the foil wrapper from the bisacodyl suppository and discard the foil.
- While lying on your side with thigh raised, insert the suppository into the rectum and gently push in as far as possible.
- Retain the suppository for at least 15 minutes, if possible before evacuating, even if the urge is strong. Bowel evacuation usually occurs within 15-60 minutes. Patients requiring assistance should have a bed pan, commode or help readily available.
