Preparing for an endoscopy can be tricky. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

Summary: Getting ready for an endoscopy or colonoscopy takes a little planning, but it is super important for a safe and successful test! About a week before, you will need to stop taking certain medicines, like NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) and some weight-loss drugs. The day before your test, you have to eat a low-fiber diet—think white rice and bananas instead of nuts and whole grains. You also need to avoid any foods or drinks with red, purple, or blue dye.

The biggest step is drinking the bowel prep liquid, which will cause a lot of diarrhea to completely clean out your colon. Because you will be given medicine to make you sleep during the procedure, you must bring an adult to drive you home. Afterward, expect to feel a little groggy, so plan to relax and take it easy for a full 24 hours!

For more details, see Verywell Health at verywellhealth.com/how-to-prepare-for-an-endoscopy-8739774 (opens in new tab)