1 day before your VCE
Video capsule endoscopy of the small bowel
Quick schedule
- 8.30am: finish eating breakfast by 8.30am and do not eat any solid food after this time
- 6pm: take the MOVIPREP® bowel preparation (laxatives) at 6pm
Keep take your usual medicines with water during the day.
Stop taking any bulk-forming laxatives, which include:
- isphagula (for example, Fybogel®)
- Bran
- methylcellulose (Celevac®)
- sterculia (Normacol®)
Stopping food
You can eat breakfast as usual, but you must finish eating by 8.30am at the latest.
After breakfast do not eat any solid food until after your examination, and follow this food and drink guide.
Food and drink guide
You can eat or drink:
- water, including flavoured water
- black tea or black coffee (no milk)
- soft drinks (including fizzy and energy drinks)
- boiled sweets that are dissolved slowly
- clear soup or stock (no solids in it and not pureed)
- Bovril or Marmite as a hot drink (only 1 mug as it’s salty)
- clear fruit or vegetable juice with no bits
You can chew gum, but do not swallow it. Drink lots of fluids. Try to have at least 2 litres (8 to 10 glasses) in total throughout the day. It is best to avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not drink:
- do not drink milk
- do not drink red or purple drinks
Bowel preparation medicine
MOVIPREP is the bowel preparation (laxatives) that you take at 6pm.
Follow the instructions and time schedules below, and not the instructions on the packet.
Let us know if you cannot drink a large volume of fluid or more than a certain amount of fluid each day.
The solution tastes better if served chilled, so you might want to mix in advance and keep in the fridge.
The day before your VCE, at 6pm
- Empty 1 sachet A and 1 sachet B of MOVIPREP into 1 litre of water.
- Stir the solution until the MOVIPREP has dissolved.
- Drink the solution over the course of 1 to 2 hours.
You might find it easier to drink the solution with a straw, or a bottle with a sports cap. Try having lemon wedges, lemon drops or suck on boiled sweets.
After taking MOVIPREP
It is advisable that you stay near a toilet once you have started taking MOVIPREP. You should expect frequent bowel movements (needing to poo) and diarrhoea within 3 hours of your first dose.
Taking MOVIPREP at 6pm means the effects wear off before you leave home to travel to hospital for your VCE.
Keep drinking clear fluids to stop you becoming dehydrated. Try to drink 1 glass every hour.
Signs that you are dehydrated include:
- feeling dizzy
- having a headache
- feeling confused
You might have some bloating or tummy cramps. This is normal.
You can use a barrier cream such as zinc and castor oil on your bottom to stop it getting sore. Ask your doctor or nurse to recommend a cream at your pre-assessment appointment.
Keep drinking clear fluids to stop you becoming dehydrated. Try to drink 1 glass every hour. Signs that you are dehydrated include dizziness, headache and confusion.
If you are taking the contraceptive pill it might not be effective once you have taken the bowel preparation. You must use other precautions (such as condoms) to avoid pregnancy. Please speak to your GP, pharmacist or family planning clinic for further advice on contraception.
When to get medical help after taking MOVIPREP
Contact your GP, or the endoscopy unit, it you have any allergic reactions to MOVIPREP. For example:
- a rash or itchiness
- If you are being sick (vomiting)
Go to your nearest emergency department (A&E) if:
you have a reaction that causes swelling of the:
- face
- lips
- tongue
- throat
