HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
DURING YOUR COLONOSCOPY
- During the colonoscopy, your doctor will very carefully put a thin, flexible tube with a lighted fiber optic camera (called a colonoscope) into your rectum and colon. The colonoscope sends pictures of the inside of your colon to a video screen so your doctor can check for polyps (abnormal growths) or colon cancer. If your doctor does see a polyp, it can be removed during your colonoscopy.
- You will have an IV placed in a vein in your hand or arm so you can receive medicines and fluids. Right before the test begins, your doctor will give you a mild sedative that will help make you as comfortable as possible. As you lie on your side, your doctor will slowly and gently put the colonoscope into your rectum and up through your colon. You may feel some pressure, bloating, or cramping during the test.
- After your procedure, you will have to rest for a while until the effects of the anesthesia wear off. While you are resting, your doctor will talk to you about the results of your test and whether any polyps were removed. If a biopsy was performed, you can expect to get the results in a few days.
- Do not drive yourself home after your test. Ask a loved one or friend to go with you on the day of your exam.
Instructions and Lessons From Other’s Experiences
Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions, and carefully read the information that comes with SUFLAVE®. Your doctor will tell you when it is time to begin taking SUFLAVE®.
SUFLAVE® is a split-dose (2-day) regimen. A total of 2 doses are required for complete preparation for colonoscopy in adults. You will take 2 bottles of liquid in two separate doses. One dose of SUFLAVE® is equal to one bottle plus one flavor-enhancing packet. An additional 16 ounces of water must be consumed after each dose of SUFLAVE®.
In clinical studies, the most common gastrointestinal adverse reactions were nausea, abdominal distension, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain. Call your doctor if you have any questions about taking SUFLAVE®.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions, and carefully read the information that comes with SUTAB®. Your doctor will tell you when it is time to begin taking SUTAB®.
SUTAB® is a split-dose (2-day) regimen. A total of 24 tablets is required for complete preparation for colonoscopy. You will take the tablets in two doses of 12 tablets each. Water must be consumed with each dose of SUTAB®, and additional water must be consumed after each dose.
In clinical studies, the most common gastrointestinal adverse reactions were nausea, abdominal distension, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain. Call your doctor if you have any questions about taking SUTAB®.
Listen to Jarett's experienceSUFLAVE® (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium sulfate, potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and sodium chloride for oral solution) is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon in preparation for colonoscopy in adults.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATIONA low residue breakfast may be consumed on the day before colonoscopy, followed by clear liquids up to 2 hours prior to colonoscopy. Administration of two doses of SUFLAVE® are required for a complete preparation for colonoscopy. Each bottle must be reconstituted with water before ingestion. Each bottle and one flavor enhancing packet are equivalent to one dose. An additional 16 ounces of water must be consumed after each dose. Stop consumption of all fluids at least 2 hours before the colonoscopy.
CONTRAINDICATIONSUse is contraindicated in the following conditions: gastrointestinal obstruction or ileus, bowel perforation, toxic colitis or toxic megacolon, gastric retention, hypersensitivity to any ingredient in SUFLAVE®.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONSRisk of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities: Encourage adequate hydration, assess concurrent medications and consider laboratory assessments prior to and after each use; Cardiac arrhythmias: Consider pre-dose and post-colonoscopy ECGs in patients at increased risk; Seizures: Use caution in patients with a history of seizures and patients at increased risk of seizures, including medications that lower the seizure threshold; Colonic mucosal ulcerations: Consider potential for mucosal ulcerations when interpreting colonoscopy findings in patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease; Patients with renal impairment or taking concomitant medications that affect renal function: Use caution, ensure adequate hydration and consider laboratory testing; Suspected GI obstruction or perforation: Rule out the diagnosis before administration; Patients at risk for aspiration: Observe during administration; Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis: Inform patients to seek immediate medical care if symptoms occur.
ADVERSE REACTIONSMost common adverse reactions (≥2%) are: nausea, abdominal distension, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache.
DRUG INTERACTIONSDrugs that increase risk of fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
INDICATION
SUTAB® (sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride) tablets
for oral use is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon in
preparation for colonoscopy in adults.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
A low residue breakfast may be consumed. After breakfast, only clear liquids
may be consumed until after the colonoscopy. Administration of two doses of
SUTAB® (24 tablets) are required for a complete preparation for colonoscopy.
Twelve (12) tablets are equivalent to one dose. Each SUTAB® bottle contains a
desiccant. Remove and discard the desiccant from both bottles the evening
prior to the colonoscopy. Water must be consumed with each dose of SUTAB®
and additional water must be consumed after each dose. Complete all SUTAB®
tablets and required water at least 2 hours before colonoscopy.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Use is contraindicated in the following conditions: gastrointestinal obstruction
or ileus, bowel perforation, toxic colitis or toxic megacolon, gastric retention,
hypersensitivity to any ingredient in SUTAB®.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Risk of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities: Encourage adequate hydration,
assess concurrent medications and consider laboratory assessments prior
to and after each use; Cardiac arrhythmias: Consider pre-dose and post-colonoscopy
ECGs in patients at increased risk; Seizures: Use caution in
patients with a history of seizures and patients at increased risk of seizures,
including medications that lower the seizure threshold; Patients with renal
impairment or taking concomitant medications that affect renal function:
Use caution, ensure adequate hydration and consider laboratory testing;
Colonic mucosal ulcerations: Consider potential for mucosal ulcerations
when interpreting colonoscopy findings in patients with known or suspected
inflammatory bowel disease. Suspected GI obstruction or perforation: Rule
out the diagnosis before administration. Hypersensitivity reactions, including
anaphylaxis: Inform patients to seek immediate medical care if symptoms
occur. Risk of Gastrointestinal Complications with Ingestion of Desiccant:
Postmarketing reports of ingestion of the desiccant along with SUTAB®
tablets has been reported and may be associated with risk of gastrointestinal
complications and/or choking.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Most common gastrointestinal adverse reactions are: nausea, abdominal
distension, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Drugs that increase risk of fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
References: 1. Rex DK, Anderson JC, Butterfly LF, et al. Quality indicators for colonoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2024;100(3):352-381. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2024.04.2905 2. Johnson DA, Barkun AN, Cohen LB, et al. Optimizing bowel preparation quality for colonoscopy: consensus recommendations by the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. Am J Gastroenterol. 2025;00:1-27. doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000003287 3. Bhandari R, Goldstein M, Mishkin DS, et al. Comparison of a novel, flavor-optimized, polyethylene glycol and sulfate bowel preparation with oral sulfate solution in adults undergoing colonoscopy. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2023;57(9):920-927. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001894 4. Di Palma JA, Bhandari R, Cleveland M, et al. A safety and efficacy comparison of a new sulfate-based tablet bowel preparation versus a PEG and ascorbate comparator in adult subjects undergoing colonoscopy. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(2):319-328. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001020 5. SUFLAVE® [package insert]. Braintree, MA: Braintree Laboratories, Inc. 6. SUTAB® [package insert]. Braintree, MA: Braintree Laboratories, Inc. 7. National Cancer Institute. Cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer. Available at https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html. Accessed June 16, 2023. 8. American College of Gastroenterology. Colorectal cancer: you can prevent it. Available at: https://webfiles.gi.org/links/committees/Public%20Relations/2021CRC-infographic.pdf. Accessed June 16, 2023. 9. American College of Gastroenterology. You can prevent colorectal cancer: don’t let COVID-19 stop you. Available at https://webfiles.gi.org/links/committees/Public%20Relations/21CRC-COVID19-Brochure-Trifold-FINAL.pdf. Accessed June 16, 2023. 10. American College of Gastroenterology. 45 is the new 50! Available at https://webfiles.gi.org/links/committees/PublicRelations/22CRC-45new50-Brochure-Trifold.pdf. Accessed June 12, 2025.
