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Call 617-527-6200
ALEXANDER KOPP MD
ALEXANDER KOPP, M.D., P.C. 
NEWTON-WELLESLEY HOSPITAL 
2000 Washington St. White Bldg., Ste. 542 · Newton, MA 02462 · (617) 527-6200 
 
PRE-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLONOSCOPY 
Please plan to spend approximately 3 hours in our unit for your procedure. We will do 
everything possible to avoid a delay in your procedure, but emergencies may interrupt the 
schedule. 
 
What you need to do BEFORE you start to prepare for your procedure: 
 
1. Please pre-register with the Newton–Wellesley Hospital by calling 
(617) 243-6122, within one week of the procedure. 
2. Be sure you have made arrangements for someone to escort you home after the 
procedure. You will be receiving sedation and you cannot drive for 12 hours after 
the procedure. Your escort must meet you in the Gastroenterology (GI) Suite 
when you are ready to go home. If you don’t have an escort on the day of your 
procedure, your procedure will be CANCELLED and rescheduled. 
3. Be sure you have an insurance referral provided by your primary physician, 
if required by your insurance company. 
4. PLEASE BE AWARE, PROCEDURES CANCELLED/NO SHOW 48 
HOURS OR LESS, THERE WILL BE A CHARGE OF $200 TO THE 
PATIENT. 
FIVE DAYS before your procedure: 
1. If you use a CPAP for sleep apnea or have an implanted defibrillator, please 
call the office at the phone number above to schedule an appointment. 
2. If you take COUMADIN or any other blood thinner, you must contact Dr. 
Kopp’s office to schedule an office appointment before the procedure. 
3. If you have diabetes and taking Insulin or any other diabetes medication, 
take only half the dose the day before, and day of the procedure. 
4. Do not take any diuretics (water pills) such as Lasix and 
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) on the day of your procedure. 
5. If you have Renal (Kidney) disease, you must contact Dr. Kopp’s office. Your 
prep instructions must be modified. You must NOT use MAGNESIUM 
CITRATE. 
6. Stop taking iron or multivitamins if they contain iron five days before your 
procedure. 
7. Start a low roughage diet and do not eat corn, raw vegetables, or take fiber 
supplements (Metamucil). You may re-start your regular diet again after the 
procedure. 
8. Purchase the laxative from your pharmacy 3 (10 oz.) BOTTLES of 
MAGNESIUM CITRATE (over the counter). 
 
TWO DAYS before your procedure: 
 
1. If you are usually constipated or sometimes use a laxative, take 2 tablespoons of 
Milk of Magnesia at 8:00 pm two nights prior to your procedure. 
 
ONE DAY before your procedure – NO FOOD – NO MILK 
 
1. Begin a clear liquid diet for breakfast, lunch and dinner and continue this diet 
until 4 hours before your procedure. A clear liquid diet includes water, tea, 
black coffee, clear broth (such as chicken broth, beef broth, or vegetable 
broth), clear fruit juices (apple, white grape, white cranberry), Gatorade, 
soda, Jell-O, freeze pops and Italian ice (do not eat or drink anything red dye 
including the Jell-O). No solid food. No milk products. ALL PATIENTS, 
INCLUDING THOSE WITH DIABETES, SHOULD BE SURE THEY GET 
ENOUGH SUGAR DURING THIS TIME. 
 
2. START DRINKING MAGNESIUM CITRATE AT 3:00 PM THE DAY 
PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE: 
3 PM - DRINK (1) 10 OZ. BOTTLE OF MAGNESIUM CITRATE 
7 PM - DRINK (1) 10 OZ. BOTTLE OF MAGNESIUMCITRATE 
 
3. Helpful hints: Take a break if you feel nauseated, use a straw to sip the solution 
more slowly, and take antacids such as Mylanta or Maalox. Drink ½ a glass of 
fluid after every bowel movement. 
4. Drink at least two 8-ounce glasses of a clear liquid before going to bed. 
5. DO NOT DEHYDRATE! 
 
ON THE DAY of the procedure: 
 
1. BY 7 AM - DRINK (1) 10 OZ. BOTTLE OF MAGNESIUM CITRATE ON 
THE MORNING OF THE PROCEDURE OR AT LEAST FOUR HOURS 
PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE. 
2. Report to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Surgical Center 45 minutes prior to 
your scheduled procedure, which will be done in the Gastroenterology (GI) Suite. 
3. Take all your usual medicines. If you take Insulin, we recommend that you take 
½ your usual dose. We will check your blood sugar prior to the procedure. 
4. If you have a medical condition requiring antibiotics before procedures, we will 
determine whether they are needed. 
5. STOP CLEAR LIQUIDS 4 HOURS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE (except 
for small amounts of water with medications). DO NOT EAT OR DRINK 
ANYTHING UNTIL AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE. 
6. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. 
7. Read the consent form provided upon check-in. You will be asked to sign the 
form before your procedure. 
 
Please bring these items with you to your procedure: 
 
1. A list of all your medications, including the doses. 
2. The name and phone number of your escort. 
 
AFTER your procedure: 
 
1. You will be monitored in the Gastroenterology Suite recovery area for 
approximately 30 - 60 minutes. 
2. You may have some abdominal bloating after the procedure. It should resolve 
within an hour. 
3. You may eat your usual diet after the procedure. 
4. You may return to work the day after the procedure, however you should 
avoid any strenuous activities. 
 
Because of medication you will receive for sedation, under no circumstances will 
you be allowed to drive yourself home, take public transportation, or take a taxi. 
The nurse will call a family member or a friend when you're ready to leave, or 
someone can wait while the test is done (about two hours). You should not drive 
a vehicle for at least 12 hours after your procedure. 
 
If you have any questions about your procedure, please call Dr. Kopp’s office at (617) 
527-6200. Please make note that cancellation of the procedure needs to be made 72 
hours prior to your procedure with Dr. Kopp’s office to allow a new patient to be 
scheduled and to prepare adequately. 
contact us
As always, if you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, and you are not able to reach our office at 617-527-6200 please dial 9-1-1 or go to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital or your local emergency room.
Privacy Notice: 
We are HIPPA compliant and any information provided by you will not be shared with any third party without your consent.