Upper Endoscopy (EGD) Prep Guide - Health Considerations and Procedure Day Reminders

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen

Upper Endoscopy (EGD) Prep Guide provides step-by-step instructions to prepare for an upper endoscopy so the doctor can clearly view the stomach. It outlines key health considerations to review the day of preparation, including medication and diagnosis factors such as blood thinners, diabetic management, and GLP-1 receptor agonist timing. It also covers clear liquid recommendations, sedation and transportation requirements, and day-of reminders on what to take and what to bring to the appointment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Health Considerations

Medications and diagnoses

Patients on blood thinners

Patient taking GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Diabetic patients

Get prepared

Clear liquid suggestions

Sedation and transportation requirements

Get started

Stop taking 5 days before

Procedure day reminders

Medication on the day of your procedure

What to bring

Bravo PH Probe Prep Guide You have been scheduled for an Upper Endoscopy (EGD) . Plan ahead to help reduce your stress. Use these step-by-step instructions for a successful procedure so that your doctor can clearly view your stomach. If you have any questions, please contact the Gastroenterology office at the Guthrie Clinic at (570) 887-2852. Thank you for choosing Guthrie! Upper Endoscopy (EGD) Prep Guide • Health Considerations page 2 (review today) o Medications and diagnoses o Patients on blood thinners o Diabetic patients • Get prepared page 3 (review 1-2 weeks before) o Sedation & transportation requirements • Get started page 4 (review 5 days before the procedure) • Procedure day reminders page 4 (review 5 days before & day of) • Prep Instructions* (follow the day before & day of) o Morning procedure instructions page 5 o Afternoon procedure instructions page 5 *Please note there are different instructions for scheduled appointments in the morning and scheduled appointments in the afternoon. Health Considerations (review today) Medications and diagnoses Please call the Gastroenterology office at the Guthrie Clinic at (570) 887-2852, select option 1 immediately if any of the following apply to you: • You use oxygen at home. • You use CPAP or BIPAP or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. • You weigh over 300 lbs. or have a BMI (body mass index) over 45. • If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. • If you take pain medications, anti-anxiety medications, psychiatric medications, use medical marijuana, or recreational drugs. • If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. • If you have an allergy to nickel. Patients on blood thinners If you use Aggrenox, Arixtra, Brilinta, Effient, Eliquis, Plavix, Pletal, Pradaxa, Ticlid, Xarelto, or any blood thinner (anticoagulant) or an anti-platelet drug, most patients need to stop taking these 5 days prior to procedure. • Please speak with your physician who orders this medication before stopping. If you use a blood thinner named Coumadin, Warfarin, or Jantoven you will need special instructions about stopping this drug before the procedure. The timing of this is very important! • If you are followed by the Coumadin Clinic, please contact the Sayre Coumadin Clinic at 570-887- 2200 for instructions before stopping, to see if they prefer that you use an alternative anticoagulant. • If you are NOT followed by the Coumadin Clinic, please contact your physician who orders this for instructions. Patient taking GLP-1 Receptor Agonists • If you are taking medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Mounjaro, Saxenda, Rybelsus: Injectable form must be held for 1 week prior to your procedure and pill form must beheld the day of the procedure. Diabetic patients • If you take a pill to lower your sugar, do not take it on the day of your procedure. • If you are taking regular Insulin® or NPH, do not take it on the day of your procedure. • If you are taking any other insulin preparation such as Lantus, Humalog, or 70/30 insulin: It is recommended you take a ½ dose the evening prior to your procedure and no dose the day of your procedure. • We recommend you have products with and without sugar on hand at home to keep your blood glucose in balance during the preparation period. Get prepared (1-2 weeks before the procedure) Clear Liquid Suggestions: • Gatorade, Pedialyte, or Powerade • Coffee or tea without creamer • Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks • Kool-Aid or other fruit-flavored drinks • Apple juice, white cranberry juice, or white grape juice • Jell-O, popsicles • Chicken, beef, or vegetable broth Sedation requires that patients make transportation arrangements Please be aware that you will be receiving sedation for your procedure. It will limit what you can do after your procedure until the following day. ALL ENDOSCOPY PATIENTS MUST HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVER Due to

FAQs

Which patients should contact the Gastroenterology office before an EGD?

Patients using oxygen at home, CPAP/BiPAP or diagnosed sleep apnea, those with a weight over 300 lbs or BMI over 45, pregnant patients, people taking certain psychiatric or recreational drugs, and anyone needing to cancel or reschedule should call for instructions.

What are the general blood thinner instructions before the procedure?

Most patients taking Aggrenox, Arixtra, Brilinta, Effient, Eliquis, Plavix, Pletal, Pradaxa, Ticlid, or Xarelto need to stop 5 days prior. Those on Coumadin, Warfarin, or Jantoven require special timing instructions and should contact the prescribing physician or Coumadin Clinic.

What transportation and driving rules apply due to sedation?

A designated driver (18 years or older) is required to drive the patient home after the procedure. Driving is not allowed until the following day after sedation, and public transportation is not allowed unless accompanied by someone 18 years or older.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen