• Reference Number: HEY1412-2024
• Departments: Paediatrics
• Last Updated: 1 February 2024

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team, but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.

What is bowel preparation?

Bowel preparation solutions (also known as laxatives) are used to clear the bowel before a procedure.  This allows the doctor to see the bowel wall during ileocolonoscopy and similar procedures.  The solutions used are Senna and Picolax®.

What will happen on the day before the procedure?

If your child is unwell or has been unwell recently, please contact us before giving the bowel preparation medicine.

• You child should have breakfast as normal.
• Then, start the liquid diet. Do not eat any solid food.
• Please encourage your child to drink plenty of clear fluids.

If you child is on the morning list:

• At 2pm – Mix each sachet of Picolax® with half a glass (125ml) of cold water. Drink a dose of Senna and take the dose of Picolax® as prescribed.
• At 10pm – Make up a fresh solution of Picolax®. Drink the second doses of Senna and Picolax® as prescribed.

If your child is on the afternoon list:

• At 6pm – Mix each sachet of Picolax® with half a glass (125ml) of cold water. Drink the first dose of Senna and Picolax® as prescribed.

What will happen on the day of the procedure?

If your child is on the morning list:

• Stop the liquid diet at 2.30am
• Do not drink any water or fluid from 6.30am

If you child is on the afternoon list:

• At 7.00 am – Make up a fresh solution of Picolax®. Drink the second doses of Senna and Picolax® as prescribed.
• Stop the liquid diet at 7.30 am
• Do not drink any water or fluid from 11.30 am
• Stools should be entirely watery with no solid pieces (‘Grade 7’ on the Bristol Stool chart).

Side effects of bowel cleansing medicine

Your child may need the toilet urgently so it is advisable not to go too far from home after taking the bowel cleansing medicine.

In addition, your child may have:

• Stomach pain or cramps
• Headache
• Vomiting

Please take your child to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department if they are:

• Dehydrated from severe diarrhoea
• Lethargic and listless
• Rash, itchiness, redness and swelling – this may be an allergic reaction to the medicine.

Interactions with other medications

• Anti-clotting medicine such as aspirin or warfarin – these may need to be stopped before the procedure.
• Medicines by mouth – do not give these within an hour of giving bowel cleansing medicine.
• Any regular medicines – check with your doctor or pharmacist whether to continue to give these.
• Medicines on prescription, medicines bought from a pharmacy or any herbal or complementary medicine – check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving to your child.

Any questions:

• About the booking, please call tel: 01482 382639.
• About the test, please contact the Pre-admission Nurse on tel: 01482 602679.
• About the admission to Acorn Ward, please call tel: 01482 602679.
• Any medical problems related to the procedure, discuss with the consultant.
• The clinic appointment after the test, please call your consultant’s secretary.

Please read the information leaflet.  Share the information it contains with your partner and family (if you wish) so that they can be of help and support.  There may be information they need to know, especially if they are helping take care of your child following this examination.