Information for patients
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This leaflet tells you how to prepare for your colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy examination with Klean-Prep.
To have a successful examination of your bowel and to avoid you having to come back again, your bowel must be empty and clean.
You must follow the instructions below or your examination may have to be cancelled or repeated.
Before taking Klean-Prep
PlePlease read the back of the Klean-Prep packet and contact nursing staff in the Endoscopy Unit for further advice if you answer yes to any of the following questions:
- Are you diabetic on insulin or tablets?
- Are you allergic to any of the ingredients listed on the packet?
- Are you taking Clopidogrel?
- Are you taking Rivaroxaban?
- Are you taking Apixaban?
- Are you taking Dabigatran?
- Are you taking any other medication to thin your blood?
- Are you pregnant or breast feeding?
- Do you suffer from any kidney disease?
If you are taking aspirin, you can continue to take this.
7 days before your appointment
Stop taking any iron tablets. Iron makes everything inside your bowel black, making it difficult for your endoscopist (a doctor or nurse trained to do endoscopies) to see anything.
4 days before your appointment
Stop taking any drugs that may cause you to become constipated, for example Lomotil, Loperamide or Codeine Phosphate, but continue to take all other usual medications.
3 days before your appointment
You must drink at least 250ml – 300ml of fluid (an average size teacup full) of drink from the diet list every hour (throughout the day time) over the 3 day preparation period. If you do this your bowel will be empty, clean and ready for your endoscopy and colonoscopy examination.
2 days before your appointment
If you are taking Fybogel or any other fibre products stop taking them now.
1 day before your appointment
You are advised not to go to work on this day. You should expect frequent bowel actions starting within 3 hours of taking your bowel preparation. Some abdominal cramping is normal.
Stay within easy reach of the toilet. To complete the 4 sachets should take between 4 to 6 hours.
It is important that you are well hydrated (drink plenty of fluids) before your appointment.
You may drink black tea, coffee and soft drinks throughout the day. You can add sugar if you like but no milk in any form.
You must not drink any alcohol.
Prescribed tablets or medicine (if due) must be taken at least 2 hours before taking your Klean-Prep. If taken after this, it will be flushed out of your system before it has had time to work.
For a morning appointment
If you have a morning appointment please follow the instructions below.
Between 8.00am – 12.00 noon on the day before your appointment, you should have your breakfast. No more food or medication to be taken after this time until after your examination.
2.00pm:
Dissolve the first sachet of Klean-Prep in 1 litre (1¾ pints) of water. Stir until the solution is clear.
This can be prepared in advance, flavoured with fruit squash (not fruit juice or blackcurrant squash ) and stored in the fridge.
Drink 1 glass full (¼ litre or ½ pint) of Klean-Prep about every 15 minutes until you have drank it all. It should take about 1½ – 2 hours.
Some abdominal cramping is normal, stay within easy reach of a toilet.
Do not take more than 1 sachet at a time.
4.00pm:
Prepare the next 2 sachets in the same way. You can store the Klean-Prep solution in the fridge while you are drinking them. You should be starting to have watery bowel motions so stay near a toilet.
If you have not had a bowel movement after taking the 2nd sachet, wait until you do before taking the 3rd sachet.
If, after taking the 3rd sachet your bowel movements are watery and clear (no solids), there is no need to take the 4th sachet. If you are not sure then you should take the 4th sachet.
If you have slept through the night and still have not had a bowel movement you should contact the Endoscopy Unit (see contact numbers).
For an afternoon appointment
If you have an afternoon appointment take 2 sachets on the evening before your appointment and the rest the next morning. Please follow the instructions below.
Between 12noon – 2.00pm on the day before your appointment, you should have your lunch. No more food or medication to be taken after this time until after your examination.
4.00pm:
Dissolve the first sachet of Klean-Prep in 1 litre (1¾ pints) of water. Stir until the solution is clear. This can be prepared in advance, flavoured with fruit squash (not fruit juice or blackcurrant squash) and stored in the fridge.
Drink 1 glass full (¼ litre or ½ pint) of Klean-Prep about every 15 minutes until you have drank it all. It should take about 1½ – 2 hours.
Some abdominal cramping is normal, stay within easy reach of a toilet.
6.00pm:
Prepare the 2nd sachet in the same way. You can store the Klean-Prep solution in the fridge while you are drinking it. You should be starting to have watery bowel motions so stay near a toilet
On the morning of your appointment
7:00am:
If, after taking the 3rd sachet your bowel movements are watery and clear (no solids), there is no need to take the 4th sachet. If you are not sure then you should take the 4th sachet.
If you have slept through the night and still have not had a bowel movement you should contact the Endoscopy Unit (see contact numbers).
Contact numbers
University Hospital of North Tees
Endoscopy Unit
Telephone: 01642 624387
Opening hours: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Monday to Friday)
University Hospital of Hartlepool
Rutherford Morison Unit
Endoscopy Unit – Hartlepool
Telephone: 01429 522356
Opening hours: 8:00am to 6:30pm (Monday to Friday)
If you have any worries or concerns you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours. Outside surgery hours you should contact your GP’s surgery for the out of hours service number.
Further information is available from:
NHS Website
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/colonoscopy
Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints
We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Team is here to try to resolve your concerns. The office is based at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. Our contact details are:
Telephone: 01642 624719 Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.00pm
Email: [email protected]
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard 01642 617617.
Patient, Public and People with Lived Experience
We are looking for patients to share their experiences of healthcare and to join our Involvement Bank. Working with the patients, carers, families and the general population we support in making decisions about their care can lead to better health outcomes, increased patient satisfaction and a better overall experience. We want to listen and work with you in shaping the future of your healthcare services. To find out more about the Involvement Bank go to our website or contact us at:
Website: www.nth.nhs.uk/about/community/people-with-lived-experience
Email: [email protected]
Data protection and use of patient information
The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these polices and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notice at:
Website: www.nth.nhs.uk/support/privacy/
Telephone: 01642 383551
E-mail: [email protected]Privacy Notices
Leaflet feedback
This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:
Email: [email protected]
Leaflet reference: PIL1358
Date for review: December 2028