X-RAY Preparation Instructions – Barium Enema Preparations

PLEASE REVIEW
Patients should arrive 20 minutes before their appointment time. Patients arriving late may be rescheduled.
To cancel or reschedule this appointment please call 519-537-2381.
Please be aware that this is a “Fragrance Free” facility. Do not wear or use scented products prior to your hospital visit.
IF PATIENT IS STILL HAVING SOLID BOWEL MOVEMENTS UPON ARRIVAL, EXAM WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

PREFERRED BOWEL PREPARATION:
(The bowel prep can be purchased at your local pharmacy and it is now covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit Program, ODB)
1. Box Pico-Salax or Purg-Odan (Each box must contain 2 packets of bowel preparation). You will need to take both packets of either Pico-Salax or Purg-Odan
2. Bisacodyl Laxative (such as Dulcolax) 4 tablets (5 mg each)

ON THE DAY BEFORE THE EXAM
1.  Restriction to clear fluids the day prior. Clear fluids include: water, decaffeinated tea & coffee (no cream or milk), juices without pulp, ginger ale, clear strained broth (no meat, vegetables, noodles), Gatorade or Kool Aid (of any colour), popsicles (no sherbets or fruit bars) and Jell-O (no fruit pieces or toppings).
2.  At 8:00 am, take 4 Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) tablets (5 mg each) by mouth with 1-2 glasses of water.
3.  At 11:00 am, take 1st packet of Pico-Salax (mixed in with 150 ml of cold water). This solution will heat up, thus let it cool before drinking. You must continue to stir while drinking the mixture of Pico-Salax to ensure all the laxative has dissolved. Drink one glass of room temperature water, or more (and extra clear fluids if desired) each hour over the next 3 hours to replace fluids lost throughout the cleansing process and to ensure effectiveness of the bowel prep. Most people will have 3-6 watery bowel movements.
4.  At 3:00 pm, take 2nd packet of Pico-Salax (mixed in with 150 ml of cold water). You must continue to stir while drinking the mixture of Pico-Salax to ensure all the laxative has dissolved. Drink one glass of room temperature water, or more (and extra clear fluids if desired) each hour over the next 3 hours.
5.  Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

DAY OF BARIUM ENEMA EXAM:          NO BREAKFAST
The only exceptions are diabetic patients who may have a light breakfast on the morning of the barium enema to prevent insulin reaction. Diabetic patients should have an early morning appointment.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
– Prior reaction to this product or any components in Pico-Salax or Purg-Odan
– Severe renal dysfunction

POST EXAM CARE
– Drink plenty of fluids (8 glasses of water) each day for 3-4 days after the exam unless otherwise instructed by your attending physician.
– Resume normal diet and activity.