It is crucial for a colonoscopy that your bowel is empty; if your bowel is not clear, the test may not be possible and may be cancelled. In order to achieve this, please follow all instructions fully. Please let us know if you have any allergies to any of the ingredients such as ascorbic acid, ascorbate, saccharin, aspartame.

Important Information for Patients

• If you take iron tablets or iron preparations, stop these until after your test.
• Avoid seeded foods for one week before your appointment (e.g., seeded bread, tomatoes, nuts).
• Your bowel must be completely empty for your colonoscopy. An unclear bowel may result in cancellation.
• Inform us if you have allergies to ingredients such as ascorbic acid, ascorbate, saccharin, or aspartame.

---

Preparing for Your Colonoscopy

Seven Days Before Your Procedure

• Avoid high‑fibre foods and follow a low‑fibre diet (see list below).
• Stop fibre supplements (e.g., Fybogel, Regulan).
• Stop anti‑diarrhoea medications (e.g., Loperamide, Imodium, Lomotil, Codeine Phosphate).

Three Days Before Your Procedure

Begin following the low‑fibre diet fully.

---

Low‑Fibre Diet Guide

Choose

• Cereals: Cornflakes, Rice Krispies, Sugar Puffs, Coco Pops
• Bread: White bread/rolls
• Carbohydrates: White pasta, white rice, noodles
• Dairy/Protein: Butter, margarine, cheese, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs
• Potatoes: Without skin – boiled, mashed, baked
• Soup: Clear/consommé or sieved soups
• Sweets: Milk puddings, mousse, jelly (not red), sponge cake, Rich Tea biscuits
• Condiments: Salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard, mayonnaise
• Drinks: Clear fluids (see detailed list below)

Avoid

• High‑fibre cereals (e.g., All Bran, Weetabix, Muesli, Porridge)
• Wholemeal or granary bread
• Wholemeal pasta, brown rice
• All fruit and vegetables
• Red meats
• Pulses, lentils, nuts, seeds
• Chunky soups, cream of tomato, bean soups
• Wholemeal cakes/puddings, oatcakes, muesli bars
• Jams/marmalades with seeds, chocolates with nuts
• Quorn, houmous, whole spices

---

The Day Before Your Procedure

If You Have a Morning Appointment

• Stop eating and switch to clear fluids only.

If You Have an Afternoon Appointment

• Stop eating at 15:00 the day before.

---

Plenvu Dosing Schedule

First Dose (Dose 1)

• Take at 18:00 the day before your colonoscopy.
• Continue drinking plenty of clear fluids.

Second Dose (Dose 2)

• Morning appointment: Take at 21:00 the day before.
• Afternoon appointment: Take at 06:00 on the day of your procedure.
• Keep drinking clear fluids until two hours before your appointment.

Important: Plenvu often causes diarrhoea – ensure access to a toilet. Effects may begin within 30 minutes and last up to six hours.

Side Effects of Bowel Preparation

Very Common

• Abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, discomfort, malaise, vomiting, indigestion, hunger, thirst, sleep disturbance, headache, dizziness, rigors

Common

• Severe bloating or symptoms making it difficult to continue: slow down or pause the medication.
• If you cannot continue, contact the Endoscopy Unit at 01324 567518 (Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00).

Rare

• Swollen ankles, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue—stop taking Plenvu and contact your GP.
• Allergic reactions (rash, itching, redness, swelling) should be reported to your GP or NHS 24 (111).