Bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Choosing the best lavage regimen.

A review of the relevant English-language literature on bowel cleansing before colonoscopy yielded results of randomized trials comparing a variety of regimens, including polyethylene glycol (PEG)-electrolyte lavage, 3-day clear liquid diet with laxatives or prokinetics, and oral sodium phosphate, as well as these regimens combined with agents such as metoclopramide, cisapride, and senna. Balancing the importance of such factors as cleansing effectiveness, safety, ease of completion, side effects, patient tolerance, and cost, the authors recommend four methods: (1) PEG-electrolyte solution (eg, CoLyte, GoLYTELY, NuLytely) in combination with senna (eg, X-Prep), (2) PEG-electrolyte solution alone (either single dose or split dose), (3) oral sodium phosphate (Fleets Phosphosoda) given in split dose, and (4) oral magnesium citrate in combination with rectal pulsed irrigation.