CT Colon Reduced Dose Prep (Iodine Allergy) E-Z-CAT Bowel Prep and Diet Sheet

Patient Information Leaflet

• Please read this information and follow the instructions carefully before your CT Colonography scan.
• The test depends on your large bowel being as empty as possible by taking the 'E-Z-CAT' liquid that our pharmacy will send out to you in a separate envelope in the post.
• Otherwise the test may have to be repeated.
• If you are unable to complete the preparation or follow the instructions, please contact the Imaging Department before attending your appointment on 02072885888.

In the pack you will find:

• One 225ml bottle of E-Z-CAT (see image above).
• E-Z-CAT improves the scan quality and contains barium sulphate.
• This is an alternative to the iodine-based X-ray dye normally used and can be taken by people who have an iodine allergy.

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.
  • 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.

• 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 all of today.

Diabetic patients only:

• Check 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 a quarter (approx. 55mls) of the bottle of E-Z-CAT.

Diabetic patients only:

• Take insulin/ diabetic tablets with your breakfast

At Lunch:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Drink a quarter (approx. 55mls) of the bottle of E-Z-CAT.

At Dinner:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Drink a quarter (approx. 55mls) of the bottle of E-Z-CAT.

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.
• This may mean skipping breakfast.

2 hours before your appointment time:

• Drink a quarter (approx. 55mls) of the bottle of E-Z-CAT.
• At any time you may drink clear fluids only (such as black tea/ coffee, but nothing fizzy).

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 a 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.

Produced by UCLH and used with their kind permission.