Patient Resource

Endoscopy Preparation Checklist

A printable day-by-day checklist for colonoscopy and upper endoscopy (EGD) at Madera Ambulatory Endoscopy Center. Print this page or save as PDF and bring it with you on procedure day.

Colonoscopy prep

5–3 days before

  • Stop iron supplements (they darken the colon lining).
  • Avoid seeds, nuts, popcorn, corn, raw vegetables, whole grains, berries, and tough skins.
  • OK to eat: lean proteins, white bread, white rice, eggs, well-cooked peeled vegetables.
  • Pick up your bowel-prep solution from the pharmacy.
  • Confirm a responsible adult driver for procedure day.

1 day before

  • Clear-liquid diet ONLY — no solid food after breakfast.
  • OK: water, clear broth, apple or white grape juice, plain tea or black coffee (no milk), clear sports drinks, plain Jell-O, popsicles.
  • AVOID anything red, purple, or with pulp.
  • Evening: drink the first half of your bowel-prep solution as instructed.
  • Stay near a bathroom and keep drinking clear fluids.

Morning of your procedure

  • Drink the second half of the prep, finishing 4–5 hours before your appointment.
  • Stop all liquids 2 hours before arrival.
  • Take only the medications your physician told you to take, with a small sip of water.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
  • Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time.

Upper endoscopy (EGD) prep

Day before

  • Eat a normal dinner — no special diet required.
  • Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
  • Confirm a responsible adult driver for procedure day.

Morning of your procedure

  • No food or drink — small sips of water are allowed up to 2 hours before arrival.
  • Take only the medications your physician told you to take, with a small sip of water.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
  • Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time.

Medication questions to ask your physician

Do not stop or change any prescription on your own. Use these prompts when you call your prescribing physician or our office at (559) 673-4000.

  • Do I need to stop any blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)? When should I stop, and when can I restart?
  • Should I take my diabetes medication or insulin? At what dose?
  • Should I take my blood pressure medication on procedure morning?
  • I take an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) — is it safe to continue?
  • I take a GLP-1 (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) — do I need to skip a dose before sedation?
  • I take an SGLT2 inhibitor (Jardiance, Farxiga) — when should I pause it?
  • I have a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator — does it need to be checked or adjusted?

What to bring on procedure day

  • Photo ID
  • Insurance card(s)
  • Complete list of current medications, doses, and supplements
  • Pre-procedure paperwork your physician's office sent you
  • Glasses case (you'll remove glasses for the procedure)
  • A responsible adult driver who can stay during your visit

Questions? Call MAEC at (559) 673-4000. This checklist supplements — but does not replace — the instructions your physician provided. If their instructions differ from anything here, follow theirs.