Page "Colonoscopy" Paragraph 13

The day before the colonoscopy, the patient is either given a laxative preparation ( such as Picosalax, Bisacodyl, phospho soda, sodium picosulfate, or sodium phosphate and / or magnesium citrate ) and large quantities of fluid, or whole bowel irrigation is performed using a solution of polyethylene glycol and electrolytes.

Often, the procedure involves both a pill-form laxative and a bowel irrigation preparation with the polyethylene glycol powder dissolved into any clear liquid, preferably a sports drink which contain electrolytes.