Miralax®/Dulcolax® Preparation for Children (Over 10) Having Endoscopy and Colonoscopy

Your child is scheduled for a colonoscopy/endoscopy in the Pediatric Endoscopy Suite at Massachusetts General Hospital 55 Fruit St Boston, MA 02114. The date of the procedure is: _____________________

Please note: All patients are required to take a PCR COVID-19 test 3 days before their procedure.

Please come to the GRAY Building, 4th Floor at: (1 hour before the procedure) ____________________

The procedure begins at: ________________________

Please note that arrival time can change due to cancellations or emergencies. If time is changed, you will be notified the day prior to the procedure.

Once you’ve arrived in the Fruit Street Garage, please call Pediatric Endoscopy at 857-238-7344 and let them know you’ve arrived. They will let you know if they’re running on schedule and when you should go up to Pediatric Endoscopy on the 4^th floor of the Gray building. If you are unable to keep this appointment, please call us at least 3 days before your appointment by calling 617-643-5252. Calling ahead allows us to reschedule your appointment and give that slot to another patient.

What you need to do before you start to prepare for your procedure

1. Call 866-211-6588 to update your registration (if not done within 6 months)
2. Be sure you have an insurance referral, if required by your insurance company. Please contact your insurance to be sure Mass General is in-network with your policy and if you require authorization for your procedure.
3. Mass General facility tax ID 042697983.
   CPT Codes
   • Endoscopy 43239
   • Colonoscopy 45380

Buy at your local drugstore

• One adult fleet enema (your pharmacist may need to order this)
• Clear liquid drinks from the list below
• Miralax®
• Dulcolax®
• Baby wipes and Vaseline®

Two (2) days before the procedure

• Give your child 2 Dulcolax® tablets after dinner.

One (1) day before the procedure

• Give your child a light breakfast.
• After breakfast, give your child only clear liquids for the rest of the day (see list below).
• In the afternoon (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.) mix 14 servings of Miralax® in a ½ gallon of Gatorade® (not red). Have your child drink 8 ounces every 20 minutes until it’s gone.
• After your child takes the Miralax®, please give 8-24 ounces of clear liquids over the next several hours.

Day of the procedure

• On the day of the procedure, your child may ONLY have clear liquids. Give your child these fluids until 7:45 a.m. (2 hours before your arrival time). Nothing else by mouth after that.
• If your child is still having consistent loose stools, but they do not look like clear brown liquid, please give them one adult fleet enema.

Comfort tips

• If your child feels sick to their stomach while taking the Miralax®, wait 30 minutes. Then, encourage them to start drinking smaller amounts.
• Your child may try drinking the Miralax® mixture through a straw.
• Use baby wipes or Vaseline® if your child gets sore from moving their bowels.

Clear liquids

Your child can have any of the items listed below. However, please do not give your child any liquid that has red food coloring.

• Water
• Ginger ale
• Popsicles® (no red)
• Apple juice
• White grape juice
• Electrolyte replacement drinks like Pedialyte® or generic electrolyte brand (no red)

If your child has trouble with this preparation, or if you have any questions, please call 617-643-5252.

After 5:00 p.m., call 617-726-8705, and have the Pediatric Gastroenterologist FELLOW paged. If you have questions regarding medication, please call the nurses at 857-238-7351.

Important notes

Your child should not wear any jewelry to the procedure.

Your child needs to be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older to go home.

Your child cannot drive themselves home. They cannot take a taxi, Uber®, or Lyft® or public transportation home alone. They cannot drive, work or return to school on the day of the procedure.

If your child is female and menarchal (has already had their first period), they will have a pregnancy test before anesthesia or procedural sedation. Typically, this is a urine test.

Please do not bring additional children with you to the Endoscopy Unit for this scheduled procedure. The area has limited space and we strive to maintain privacy for all our patients and their families. We welcome your assistance in your child’s care prior to and after the procedure which may require your complete attention. Children under age 13 cannot be left unattended in the waiting room.

Rev. 4/2022. MassGeneral for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed on this handout. This handout is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treat any medical conditions.