CT Colon Reduced Dose Prep (Omnipaque) Bowel Prep and Diet Sheet

Patient Information Leaflet

Overview

• Please read this information and follow the instructions carefully before your CT Colonography scan.
• For the test to work properly, your large bowel needs to be as empty as possible.
• Follow the low-fibre diet and take the ‘Omnipaque’ liquid from the outpatient pharmacy as instructed.
• If your bowel is not empty enough, you may need to repeat the test.
• If you are unable to completely take all the medication (also known as 'preparation') or follow the instructions, please contact the Imaging Department before coming to your appointment. Phone: 020 7288 5888.

Medicines supplied

• In the pack you will find:
  • 3 x 50ml bottles of Omnipaque (either 240 or 300 strength)
• Note: Omnipaque has a slightly metallic taste and can be added to a glass of water or cordial if preferred. It says on the bottle that it is an intravenous solution, but it is also safe to drink.

Instructions

7 days before your test (or from when you receive this letter)

• Stop any iron tablets but continue to take all other medications and laxatives you usually take.

2 days before your test

• Eat only low fibre foods, which includes the following:

  • Milk (2 cups per day), plain yoghurt, cheese, butter, margarine.
  • White fish or chicken (boiled, steamed or grilled).
  • Eggs, tofu, white pasta, white rice, white bread, white pitta, white chapattis.
  • Potatoes with no skin (e.g. mashed, boiled).
  • Clear soups (no solid bits e.g. sieved chicken noodle), Bovril, Oxo.
  • Clear jelly, boiled sweets, ice cream, chocolate (no fruit or nut pieces).
  • Salt, pepper, sugar, sweeteners and honey.

• Make sure that you have plenty to drink throughout the day:

  • Water, tea, coffee, squash, fizzy drinks, clear fruit juices (e.g. apple/ cranberry).

• Do not eat high fibre foods, such as:

  • Fruit, vegetables, salad, mushrooms, sweetcorn.
  • Cereals, nuts, seeds, pips, bran, beans, lentils.
  • Brown bread, brown or wild rice, brown pasta.
  • Pickles, chutneys

• Do not eat red meat or pink fish (e.g. salmon)

The day before your test

• Continue the low fibre diet throughout the day.
• Diabetic patients only! Check your blood sugar four times during the day. If at any point your blood sugar is below 5, drink clear sugary liquids to avoid a 'hypo'.

At breakfast

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above)
• Drink one 50ml bottle of Omnipaque.
• Diabetic patients only: Take insulin/diabetic tablets with your breakfast.

At lunch

• Eat only low fibre foods (see foods in the list above)
• Drink one 50ml bottle of Omnipaque.

At dinner

• Eat only low fibre foods (see foods in the list above)
• Drink one 50ml bottle of Omnipaque.

Diabetic patients only: Reduce your insulin dose by half, continue your diabetic tablets as normal.

The day of the test

• Do not eat anything for 4 hours before your appointment time. You may drink clear or sugary drinks.

Diabetic patients only:
If you have a Morning appointment:

• Continue to drink clear sugary fluids.
• Do not take anymore insulin/ diabetes tablets until after the test.
• Check blood sugar if you can before arriving at the hospital.
• Bring insulin/ diabetic tablets and a light meal (e.g. sandwich) with you to the hospital to have after the test.

If you have an Afternoon appointment:

• Continue to drink clear sugary fluids.
• Take half your normal dose of insulin in the morning only.
• Do not take diabetes tablets.
• Check blood sugar if you can in the morning and before arriving at the hospital.
• Bring insulin/diabetic tablets and a light meal (e.g. sandwich) with you to the hospital to have after the test.

Contact our service

• Call the Imaging Department on 020 7288 5888 Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm.