Colonoscopy with PLENVU

Sep 27, 2026

Patient information leaflet for colonoscopy using PLENVU, describing the two main sections: the procedure overview, medicines that may need to be stopped, and expectations when attending hospital, plus preparation steps such as when to stop eating and clear fluids. It covers appointment location, pre-procedure nursing contact, consent requirements, diet and bowel cleansing timing, and guidance for common medication types including diabetes and anticoagulants. It also explains sedation and Entonox escort rules, what happens on arrival, and post-procedure monitoring and discharge advice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Important information about your procedure

Important information about medication

Section One: What is a colonoscopy?

Asking for your consent and signing the consent form

On arrival at the endoscopy unit

What happens after colonoscopy?

Will I get the results / Will I have a follow-up appointment?

Colonoscopy with PLENVU This leaflet has two sections: The first section explains the procedure and what medications you may need to stop as well as what to expect when you come to hospital. The second section explains how to prepare for this procedure, including when to stop eating and how to cleanse your bowel. It is important to read both sections as well as the enclosed Consent Form to ensure that you are fully prepared for the procedure. Colonoscopies are booked at either the Endoscopy Unit at St George’s Hospital or the Day Case Unit at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton. Please refer to your appointment letter / text for the location of your procedure. You will be contacted by one of our nursing team before your procedure , to record your health history and to advise on any changes to your medication. Important information about your procedure • St George’s is a national training centre for endoscopy. Students and qualified trainees maybe involved in your care. If you do not want students to be present, please inform the doctor or nurse when you are admitted. • If you are planning to have sedation , arrange for a friend or relative (18 +) to escort you home after your appointment and be with you for at least 12 hours. We kindly ask escorts not to wait in the Endoscopy Unit due to limited space , but we will call when the procedure is completed. • Three days before your appointment, start a low fibre diet (found on page 4) . • STOP EATING 24 HOURS before your appointment, clear fluids are allowed (no milk) . • Take the bowel preparation as per the instructions from page 5. • STOP DRINKING CLEAR FLUIDS TWO HOURS before your appointment. • Please read and bring your signed Consent Form with you to your appointment. Important information about medication • If you are taking medications for diabetes or to prevent blood clots such as Warfarin, Apixaban, Edoxaban , Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran , Clopidogrel , Ticagrelor or Prasugrel, please follow the instructions provided by the nurse. If you have not been contacted , please contact us on the numbers on page 3. • Seven days before the procedure , stop taking iron tablets. • Four days before the procedure, stop taking constipating medicines such as Imodium (Loperamide), Lomotil, or codeine phosphate , or stool bulking laxatives such as Fybogel or Movicol. (If taking codeine-based medicines, please consult your GP to discuss if any alternatives are available) . • Take all other medications as usual but do not take oral medications one hour before or one hour after taking the bowel preparation. • If you are taking the contraceptive pill, please take additional precautions for one week following the bowel preparation. • Please bring a list of your regular medications and bring any inhalers or sprays with you. • If you a diabetic, please bring your medication and a snack to eat after the procedure. Section One: What is a colonoscopy? Colonoscopy is a camera examination of the bowel. It helps to find the cause of your abdominal symptoms and to diagnose and sometimes treat diseases of the bowel. The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes but please allow up to three hours in the hospital. We recommend that you bring a book or magazine with you to read whilst you are waiting as the mobile phone signal is weak. You will be offered a choice of having sedation for the procedure or Entonox (also known as ‘gas and air’ or ‘laughing gas’) . You may also choose to have no medication. If you have sedation , it is essential that you have an escort home and a responsible adult with you for at least 12 hours. If you have Entonox, you can leave unaccompanied 30 minutes after the procedure. Please note that Entonox is not suitable for all patients including those taking Methotrexate or with certain lung conditions or who have had certain eye/ear procedures. For more information about Entonox, goto: [https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/GAS_ENTO.p

FAQs

How should I prepare for a colonoscopy with PLENVU in the days before the appointment?

Start a low fibre diet three days before. Stop eating 24 hours before (clear fluids allowed, no milk) and follow the bowel preparation instructions. Stop drinking clear fluids two hours before your appointment.

Which medications may need to be stopped or adjusted before the procedure?

Stop iron tablets seven days before. Stop constipating medicines (e.g., Imodium, Lomotil, codeine phosphate) and stool bulking laxatives (e.g., Fybogel, Movicol) four days before. Follow nurse instructions for diabetes and blood-clotting/anticoagulant medicines, and avoid oral medications one hour before and after the bowel preparation.

What are the escort and driving rules after sedation or Entonox?

If you have sedation, arrange a friend or relative (18+) to escort you home and be with you for at least 12 hours, and do not drive for 24 hours. If you have Entonox, you can leave unaccompanied 30 minutes after, but Entonox is not suitable for all patients.

Sep 27, 2026

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