COLONOSCOPY PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS - Magnesium Citrate - 3 Bottles - 5-Day Low Fiber to Clear Liquids Plan

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

Colonoscopy preparation instructions for a bowel-cleanout regimen using 3 bottles of Magnesium Citrate over multiple days. The plan requires starting a low-fiber diet five days before the procedure, avoiding high-fiber foods, and following a stepwise progression to clear liquids only two days before. On the day before, only clear liquids are allowed with scheduled doses at 1 pm and 5 pm, plus fasting after midnight, ensuring final stool is urine- or water-colored. Guidance is provided for chronic constipation with Miralax dosing and for contacting medical staff if prep is difficult or if brown stool persists after completion.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

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Colonoscopy preparation overview

5 days prior: low-fiber diet

3 days prior: Miralax for chronic constipation (if applicable)

2 days prior: clear liquids only and first Magnesium Citrate dose

1 day prior: second and third doses, fasting rules

Final stool color and when to call for help

COLONOSCOPY PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS 3 Bottles of Magnesium Citrate In order for the doctor to carefully examine your bowel, you must cleanse your bowel of stool prior to the colonoscopy. You will need to purchase 3 bottles of Magnesium Citrate (avoid flavors that are red or purple colored) at your pharmacy for this prep. You do not need a prescription for Magnesium Citrate. 5 days prior to your procedure Begin eating a LOW FIBER diet. Please AVOID high fiber foods-vegetables and fruits with skins or seeds, nuts, corn, popcorn, and whole grains. You may eat dairy products, pasta, white bread, eggs, meats (chicken and fish without skin are best), bananas, applesauce, potatoes without skins, smooth tomato sauce, dessert foods i.e. cake, pudding or cookies without nuts. Please follow this diet as closely as you can. 3 days prior to procedure **If you have a history of chronic constipation, please take 2 doses (a dose is 17 grams diluted in 8 ounces of non-carbonated liquid) of Miralax (or its generic) three days prior to the procedure and then prep as instructed. 2 days prior to your procedure • You may have a light breakfast and a light lunch, followed by CLEAR LIQUIDS ONLY. Clear liquids consist of water, broth, tea, coffee, apple or white grape juice, Gatorade, Jell-O, and popsicles. Please avoid any clear liquids that are red or purple in color. You may not have dairy products or juices with pulp. • At 5 pm, drink one bottle of Magnesium Citrate and when complete, resume a clear liquid diet. 1 day prior to your procedure • You may only drink clear liquids, no food! • At 1 pm, drink the second bottle of Magnesium Citrate and when complete, resume a clear liquid diet. • At 5 pm, drink the third bottle of Magnesium Citrate and when complete you may then resume clear liquids until midnight then nothing by mouth until after your procedure. • Your final returns (stool), after completing the prep, should be the color of urine or water. • It is not unusual to feel cold or chilled while drinking the prep. If you are having difficulty drinking the prep (including nausea and/or vomiting after following the Helpful Hints below) please call the gastroenterologist on call at Needham Gastroenterology Associates, 781-444-6460. If it is the morning of your procedure and you are still passing formed or liquid brown stool after completing all of the prep, please call the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham at 781-453-7861 after 7 am and ask to speak to a nurse.

FAQs

What should I eat starting 5 days before the colonoscopy?

Begin a low-fiber diet and avoid high-fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits with skins or seeds, nuts, corn, popcorn, and whole grains. You may eat dairy products, pasta, white bread, eggs, meats (chicken and fish without skin are best), bananas, applesauce, and potatoes without skins, plus smooth tomato sauce and desserts without nuts.

What clear-liquid rules apply 2 days before the procedure?

Have a light breakfast and light lunch, then switch to clear liquids only. Clear liquids include water, broth, tea, coffee, apple or white grape juice, Gatorade, Jell-O, and popsicles, while avoiding any clear liquids that are red or purple. Do not have dairy products or juices with pulp.

When do I take the remaining Magnesium Citrate doses and what are the fasting instructions?

At 1 pm the day before, drink the second bottle, then continue clear liquids. At 5 pm, drink the third bottle, then resume clear liquids until midnight, followed by nothing by mouth until after the procedure. After completing the prep, final returns should be the color of urine or water.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine