Preparation with sodium picosulphate
CT enema scan - Overview
Important - only follow these instructions if:
- you are taking sodium picosulphate as preparation before your scan.
You have been asked to take a laxative preparation (sodium picosulphate) and make some changes to your diet the day before your scan.
Sodium picosulphate is a laxative which helps to empty your bowels before your CT enema scan.
You should have received 2 sachets of sodium picosulphate. If you have not got the sachets, or have any questions about taking them, please contact the CT nurse coordinator.
Make sure that you are at home and have easy access to a toilet on the day that you take sodium picosulphate. It is not advised to take this at work.
Side effects of taking sodium picosulphate
Stay near a toilet once you have started taking the sodium picosulphate.
- You will need the toilet often, and eventually have diarrhoea up to 3 hours after taking the first sachet.
- You might have some bloating or stomach cramps.
- You can use a barrier cream, such as zinc and castor oil on your bottom to stop it getting sore.
If the sodium picosulphate is taken as instructed, the diarrhoea should have stopped by the morning of the CT enema scan.
If it has not stopped and you are worried about needing the toilet on the journey to the hospital, make sure that you bring some extra toilet tissue with you. Plan your route carefully so you can get to a toilet if you need it.
Making changes to your diet
You have also been asked to make some changes to your diet the day before your scan.
You should only have small meals made up of low residue foods before your scan.
This will help the sodium picosulphate work properly.
Low residue foods
- you can eat fats such as butter and margarine, only a small amount of these should be used
- you can eat eggs, especially boiled and poached
- you can eat cereals such as cornflakes and crisped rice cereal, but not bran
- you can eat cream cheese, cottage cheese or cheese sauce
- you can eat potatoes without the skin, boiled, creamed, mashed or baked, but not roasted or deep fried (chips)
- you can eat plain white pasta, noodles or boiled rice
- you can eat meat or fish
- you can eat gravy made from stock cubes (white flour or corn flour can be used to thicken)
- you can eat white bread or toast
- you can eat sugar or sweetener
- you can eat clear jelly
Food and drink to avoid
- Do not eat vegetables
- Do not eat fruit
- Do not eat brown bread
- Do not eat brown rice
- Do not eat brown pasta
- Do not eat jam
- Do not eat nuts
- Do not eat biscuits
- Do not eat crisps
- Do not drink alcohol
The day before your scan
Follow these instructions on how to prepare and when to take the sodium picosulphate. There are also examples of what you can eat and drink on the day before your scan.
Take the first sachet of sodium picosulphate
- Step 1: mix the contents of the sachet in 150ml (about 1 cup) of cold tap water. Do this in a largea glass or jug, as the mixture may fizz over.
- Step 2: stir the solution for 2 to 3 minutes. If it becomes warm when you stir it, wait until it has cooled down before drinking the whole solution. Once the solution is ready, drink it immediately. The solution will appear cloudy.
You can have tea or coffee (with milk and sugar or sweetener, if needed).
You can also have other clear fluids, such as water, clear soups, herbal tea, black tea or coffee, or diluted cordials or fruit juice (smooth with no fruit bits).
- Choose one of the following:
- 30g crisped rice cereal or cornflakes with 100ml of milk
- 2 slices of white bread or toast, with a small spread of butter or margarine and honey
- 1 boiled or poached egg, and 1 slice of white toast or bread with a thin spread of butter or margarine
- 50g of cottage cheese or cream cheese, and one slice of white toast or bread with a thin spread of butter or margarine
You can have tea or coffee (with milk and sugar or sweetener, if needed)
Choose one of the following:
- 75g meat or fish with gravy
- 2 boiled or poached eggs
- 100g cream cheese or cottage cheese
Add one of the following:
- 2 slices of white bread or toast, with a small spread of butter or margarine
- 2 egg-sized potatoes without skins, with a small amount of butter or margarine
- 2 tablespoons of plain white pasta or rice
- Drink plenty of clear fluids, preferably water.
Tea and coffee should now only be black (no milk).
Take the second sachet of sodium picosulphate (preparing it the same way as before).
After you have had the second dose of sodium picosulphate, do not have any solid food, milk or other dairy products until after the scan.
Do not have any solid food.
You can have clear soup, a meat extract drink or clear jelly.
Do not eat any more food until after you have had the scan.
Throughout the day drink plenty of clear fluids so you do not get dehydrated. For example water, squash, fizzy drinks, clear strained soup, clear stock.
As a guide, try to drink about 1 glass every hour (during waking hours).
Signs that you are dehydrated include dizziness, headache and confusion.
People with diabetes or restricted diets for religious or ethical reasons should contact the CT nurse coordinator for dietary advice.
On the day of your CT scan
Read about what happens during and after having your CT scan.
Resource number 3048/VER5
Published date: November 2023
Review date: November 2026
