Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Your doctor may have special instructions for you, depending on the schedule of your colonoscopy you are going to have. If you have not received such instructions, or if you do not understand them, check with your doctor in advance.

Take this medicine exactly as directed. Otherwise, the test you are going to have may not work and may have to be done again.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. You must read, understand, and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

It is best if you do not eat any solid food before taking this medicine and until after your colonoscopy.

You may eat a low-residue breakfast (eg, eggs, white bread, cottage cheese, yogurt, grits, coffee, or tea) on the day before your colonoscopy.

You may drink only clear liquids (eg, coffee or tea without cream or nondairy creamer, fruit juices without pulp, gelatin desserts without fruit or topping, water, chicken broth, clear soda) all day and the next day until 2 hour before your colonoscopy. Do not drink anything colored red or purple. Do not drink milk or alcohol.

To use the Sutab®:

  • The Sutab® contains 2 bottles (12 tablets each bottle), taken as a 2-day regimen (Split-dose method).
  • Early in the evening before the colonoscopy, open one bottle of 12 tablets. Remove and throw away the drying agent (desiccant) canister from both bottles. Use the second bottle for the second dose on the morning of the colonoscopy.
  • Fill the given container with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line). Swallow 1 tablet at a time with a sip of water and drink the entire amount over 15 to 20 minutes.
  • One hour after swallowing the last tablet, fill the container for the second time with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line) and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, repeat the same step and drink over 30 minutes.
  • Then, on the morning of colonoscopy (5 to 8 hours before the test and at least 4 hours after the first dose), repeat the same steps and complete all Sutab® tablets and required amount of water at least 2 hours before the test.
  • If you have nausea, bloating, or cramping, you may pause or slow the rate of drinking the additional water until your symptoms stopped.
  • Do not eat or drink anything 2 hours prior to your colonoscopy, unless your doctor provides you with different instructions.

Avoid taking other laxatives (eg, bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate) while you are taking this medicine. Do not take any medicine by mouth within 1 hour before taking this medicine.

If you are taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), iron supplements, penicillamine (Cuprimine®, Depen®), or tetracycline or fluoroquinolone antibiotics, take these medicines at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking Sutab®.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For cleansing the colon:
    • For oral dosage form (tablet):
      • Adults—
        • Dose 1: One bottle (12 tablets) taken early in the evening before colonoscopy.
        • Dose 2: One bottle (12 tablets) taken in the morning of the test, 5 to 8 hours before the colonoscopy.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Each bottle contains a drying agent (desiccant) canister that helps protect the tablets from moisture.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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