The Colonoscopy Procedure

Understanding the exam

A colonoscopy is usually a routine exam that is used to diagnose some gastrointestinal (GI) issues and to detect colon cancer or its precursors. The colonoscopy procedure is performed by a physician with specialized training, usually a gastroenterologist.

The doctor uses a colonoscope (a long, flexible tube with a light and a tiny camera attached) to explore the entire length of the large intestine, which includes the colon and the rectum. The colonoscope is also equipped with a device that allows your doctor to remove polyps during a colonoscopy—a major step toward the prevention of colon cancer.

Path of the colonoscope during a colonoscopy

The colonoscope travels the length of the colon to help your doctor find abnormal polyps and lesions that could become cancerous.

What to expect

Before your colonoscopy, you will be given a prescription for a colonoscopy prep, which will flush solid waste from your large intestine so your doctor can see the walls of the colon and rectum clearly. The colonoscopy itself is virtually painless, as most patients are sedated during the procedure. In fact, many people report waking up from a colonoscopy with no memory of the exam at all.

If your doctor finds polyps during the procedure, he or she can remove the majority of them using the tools inside the colonoscope. If a polyp is too big to be safely removed using these tools, the doctor can take a biopsy (the removal of a small piece of tissue) for further testing.

Talking to your physician

Don't be embarrassed to talk to your physician about the colonoscopy process—millions of people have been through it before. Your doctor is there for you, so take the time you need to be comfortable with your options and confident in your choices.

Discuss all of your colonoscopy prep options with your doctor, who will help you choose the one that is best for you. Remember how important a complete bowel prep is for clear exam results.

Important Safety Information about MOVIPREP

MOVIPREP® (PEG-3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid for oral solution) is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. MOVIPREP is contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, bowel perforation, gastric retention, ileus, toxic colitis or toxic megacolon, and patients who have had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to any of its components. MOVIPREP should be used with caution in patients at risk of or with fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, hyponatremia, arrhythmias, seizures, in patients with impaired renal function or patients taking concomitant medications that affect renal function, patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease, patients with suspected GI obstruction or perforation, patients at risk for aspiration, and patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Most common adverse reactions for split dosing (incidence ≥5%) are malaise, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain. The most common adverse reactions for evening only dosing (incidence ≥5%) are abdominal distension, anal discomfort, thirst, nausea, abdominal pain, sleep disorder, rigors, hunger, malaise, vomiting, and dizziness. MOVIPREP contains 233 mg of phenylalanine per treatment. Advise patients to hydrate adequately before, during, and after the use of MOVIPREP.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/ or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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