Pico-Sulphate Bowel Prep
Pico-Sulphate (PicoPrep® and Picolax®) are popular small volume laxatives taken orally the day before your colonoscopy. These are available at most chemists without the need for a prescription.
Irrespective of the type of prep used, three sachets are required prior to your colonoscopy.
PicoPrep
PicoPrep® is recommended as it is sold as a box of three sachets. Each sachet consists of white powder that is mixed as a drink with a glass (i.e. 250ml) of water. Those having a morning colonoscopy drink their PicoPrep® at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm the day before their colonoscopy. Those having an afternoon colonoscopy drink their PicoPrep® at 6pm and 8pm (day before) and 6am (day of) their colonoscopy. Those having an evening colonoscopy drink their PicoPrep® at 6pm (day before) and 6am and 8am (day of) their colonoscopy (see Table 1).
PicoLax
PicoLax® is identical to PicoPrep® although it is only sold as a box of two sachets, therefore four sachets need to be purchased but only three used (i.e. identical instructions as for PicoPrep®).
Prep kit C
Prep Kit C® may be required to obtain a clean colon for those with chronic constipation or those who have previously not had a clean bowel preparation with conventional preps.
This kit also consists of three sachets (A, B & C), with the second sachet (sachet B) containing Glycoprep®. This second sachet (sachet B) is mixed with 1 Litre of water and sipped slowly over the hour.
| Morning Colonoscopy | Afternoon Colonoscopy | |
| Last Solid Food | Breakfast (Day Before) | Lunch (Day Before) |
| Commence Clear Fluids (i.e. no solid food) | 8am (Day Before) | 1pm (Day Before) |
| 1st Picoprep | 2pm (Day Before) | 6pm (Day Before) |
| 2nd Picoprep | 4pm (Day Before) | 8pm (Day Before) |
| 3rd Picoprep | 6pm (Day Before) | 6am (Day of) |
| Fasting Time (No liquids or solids) | 12Midnight (Day Before) | 7am (Day of) |
| Call & SMS to instruct start time | After 10am (Day Before) | After 10am (Day Before) |
| Present to Hospital | 1 hour prior to start time | 1 hour prior to start time |
| Discharge (Pick-Up) | 3-4 hours after start | 3-4 hours after start |
Table 1. Checklist for patients having colonoscopy.
