Omnipaque – 3 Dose Bowel Preparation (Afternoon) Patient information leaflet (568kB pdf)
If your appointment is in the AFTERNOON, follow the instructions below
The following instructions are for appointments between 12 noon and 6pm only – please check your appointment time.
How to take Omnipaque
- It is essential you take the three doses of the medication provided according to the following instructions (rather than the manufacturer’s leaflet). The preparation of the medication and a suggested timetable for food and medication has been provided to maximise the success of the procedure and reduce the amount of side effects experienced.
- Omnipaque is supplied in a 100ml bottle
- To make one dose, mix 50ml (half a bottle) of Omnipaque with an equal amount of water. Stir until solution is clear or slightly hazy
KEEP HYDRATED- DRINK ONE CUP OF WATER (250ml) EVERY HOUR
Suggested routine to prepare for your procedure
| The day before your procedure | Eat breakfast as normal. |
| Lunch 12 noon | Eat lunch, avoiding high fibre foods, fruits and vegetables. You may have milk and dairy products. This will be the last solid meal until after your procedure. |
| 1pm | From this time onwards, DO NOT EAT ANY SOLID FOOD, your bowel needs to be completely empty for your procedure. You can drink clear soups, soft drinks and black tea or coffee with sugar if you wish. |
| Teatime 5pm | You can have clear soups such as Bovril or Oxo. Remember to continue to drink plenty of clear fluids throughout the day. |
| 7pm-9pm | Take half of one of the bottles of Omnipaque (50ml) and another half bottle at 9pm. Remember to drink an additional 500ml of water following this dose. |
| The day of your procedure 7am | Remember DO NOT EAT ANYTHING. Take last half a bottle of Omnipaque (50ml) Remember to drink an additional 500ml of water following this dose. |
| Later | Remember to continue to drink plenty of clear fluids, one glass (250ml) every hour, until an hour before your appointment time. Leave home in time for your hospital appointment. |
Possible Side Effects
Omnipaque may make you feel nauseated or be sick. The lack of solid food can also
trigger nausea. We advise you to remain in easy reach of a toilet as this preparation
may cause multiple, often urgent bowel movements. We suggest you drink plenty of
clear fluid to help prevent this. Occasionally an allergic reaction can occur, with or
without a rash, if you experience this please seek medical advice.
Foods and drinks information
Clear fluids include:
- Water
- Clear soup, Bovril, Oxo
- Fruit juice without pulp
- Soft drinks, Diluted cordials (except blackcurrant)
- Herbal tea, black tea no milk, black coffee no milk
