Is Miralax Or Dulcolax Better - Patient advocate Natalie Hayden shares her experiences with different colonoscopy procedures and explanations to help you decide which one is right for you.
Natalie Hayden prepares for her colonoscopy, a procedure that requires preparation of the colon, which can be done using Dulcolas and Gatorade. Courtesy of Natalie Hayden; Adobe Stock; Fruits (2); Canvas
Is Miralax Or Dulcolax Better
Colonoscopies get a bad rap not because of the procedure, but because of the preparation. Your colon must be emptied before the colonoscopy: this means changing your diet in the days leading up to a low-fat diet, as well as clear liquid foods, and drinking colon cleansing drinks. As someone with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), I have years of experience with this process, and it's not fun. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in July 2005 at the age of 21. I had severe colonoscopy when I was hospitalized with my first flare-up.
My Thoughts On A Colonoscopy Pill Prep As A First Timer
Since then, I have done more than I can count. Fortunately, since my disease - now there are several preparation tools on the market, with the aim of "reducing" information for patients.
Here is what I can tell you about my experience and what I think are the pros and cons of different types of bowel prep.
When I had my first colonoscopy, I wasn't given a prep option, and I had a suprep. This is a split dose (for two days) that involves drinking 6 ounces (oz) of salty, sweetened beverages at night, and another 6 oz in the morning, along with water. I personally don't enjoy this one - although it's not very alcoholic, it's bad, and I still remember it almost 20 years later.
For several preparations after the first, I chose to mix Gatorade-Miralax-Dulcolax, which is very popular with patients. Although drinking is not dangerous, it is
Dulcolax Constipation Free Doctor Recommended Stool Softener
By volume: It requires mixing half a bottle of Miralax (119 grams; 4.1 oz) into two 32-oz bottles of Gatorade. (Pro tip: It's best to mix this up early in the day and keep it in the fridge, to chill.)
The evening before my colonoscopy, I had to take four Dulcolax laxative pills. An hour later, I started mixing Gatorade and Miralax. It is recommended to drink four 8-oz glasses of this mixture every 15 minutes with another 16 oz of water. Then in the morning, before my colonoscopy, I drank another 32-oz of Miralax and Gatorade concoction, followed by water.
My gastroenterologist requires patients to take two bottles of magnesium citrate as well, no matter what you choose. He says it's important to make sure all the mucus is out of the intestines. Personally, magnesium citrate is the hardest part for me. It smells horrible and makes me want to vomit. I have learned to take Zofran for nausea, before I am ready. This medicine is not over the counter, so I recommend that you get the medicine from your gastroenterologist in advance if you have trouble preparing it.
Last year, I tried something different. I wanted to try a new pill formulation called Sutab. This preparation includes 24 pills that are taken every two days. You take 12 pills with water the day before the colonoscopy and 12 pills the morning of the procedure. Although pills are great, I've found this method to be easier than drinking a ton of liquid. At first, I took the pills too quickly and stopped. At the next dose, I timed the pills and took one every three minutes. This was a game changer! Again, the magnesium citrate made me sick and I was only able to get half of it. Regardless, I was told by my doctor that I was cleared.
Dulcolax Laxative Pink, For Sensitive Stomachs, 30 Ct
Usually, to help me cut down on the planning, I make myself a liquid diet that starts the Monday before my Friday. I find that it's easy to clean and it saves me from having to worry about getting all the preparations done. One of my personal favorites: gummy bears! Chewy candies are treated like clear water - they are looking red, purple and orange the day before. (Being able to chew something helps when you're on a liquid diet.)
In December 2022 I also decided to use Sutab for my bowel preparation. Unfortunately, the magnesium citrate saline was recalled in the summer of 2022, so my GI came up with a different regimen instead that included magnesium citrate tablets, extra water, milk of magnesium, and an enema.
Although there are several types of bowel cleansing products on the market, most of them contain osmotic laxatives, which cause you to poop and cause your bowels to produce more water to flush the product out. That water softens the stool and increases the overall quality of the intestines. Preps also contain electrolytes since bowel cleansing can cause you to lose a lot of water.
Polymer-based products are the most popular of the bowel preparations, and include a laxative called polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG). This large molecule cannot be absorbed by your colon, so you go to the toilet. This form is usually in a powder form and is mixed with a lot of water, as in the Miralax-Dulcolax-Gatorade concoction mentioned above.
Miralax Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Laxative Powder
Saline solutions use sodium phosphate as an osmotic agent, and often contain minerals such as potassium and magnesium:
We all have preferences when it comes to digestive foods such as colon preps. If you want your preparation and download as fast as possible, even if you like it, you should consider this. If you like to mix your preparation with a drink like Crystal Lite or Gatorade to help mask the taste and not retain the amount of water, this is something to consider. If you don't mind swallowing pills and don't enjoy taking too much, there is something for you.
This is a discussion to have with your gastroenterologist and therapist. Find out what your health care team can recommend based on your health and preferences. Before ordering your prescription, be sure to check for coupons on the manufacturer's website to get a discount with your insurance. Find what works for you and try to get as low as possible. Colonoscopies are not fun, but they are important for the prevention and early detection of cancer, and for the management of IBDs such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Daily Health. See More
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Product summary & key differences | Eligible for Success | Insurance Needs and Cost Estimators | As a result | Drug interactions | Warnings | FAQ
If you struggle with hard stools, stools that are difficult to pass, and/or bowel movements less than three times a week, it is likely that you are struggling with constipation. Constipation is the most common problem in the United States, affecting 16 out of 100 adults, and 33 out of 100 adults aged 60 and over.
Dulcolax and Miralax are two popular, FDA approved over-the-counter laxatives used to treat constipation and incontinence. Dulcolax contains bisacodyl, a sedative. It works by increasing the activity of the intestines to stimulate bowel movements.
Monday Night Dinner
Miralax contains polyethylene glycol 3350, an osmotic laxative. It works by drawing water into the intestines, softening stools, and making them easier to pass. Both of these drugs are known as laxatives and help treat constipation. However, they have differences. Continue reading to learn more about Dulcolax and Miralax.
Dulcolax (Dulcolax coupons | Dulcolax details) is an antiperspirant that is available in generic and generic form, as well as in tablet and rectal suppository form, containing bisacodyl. Dulcolax
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