NuLYTELY - About NuLYTELY

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why a colonoscopy?
Your doctor needs to know if there is an abnormality in your colon (large bowel or lower intestine). Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to examine the inside of the colon with a narrow flexible instrument called a colonoscope. Your doctor will explain the specific reason why you need a colonoscopy as well as any risks which may be associated with the procedure.

2. What is involved?
You will need to prepare for your colonoscopy the day before the exam by cleansing the bowel with NuLYTELY or GoLYTELY. When you arrive at your exam location, you will be given medication to prevent discomfort. (You should not plan to drive yourself home because of this medication). After you have been medicated, your doctor will gently insert the thin flexible colonoscope into the rectum and guide it up into the colon. The examiner will be able to see the inside of the colon and detect any abnormalities.

After the colonoscopy you will rest for a time while the effects of the medication wear off. Before leaving, the doctor will give you instructions regarding diet, further treatment, or follow up.

3. Will it hurt?
Because of the medication given before the examination, you should have little, if any, discomfort. You may have a sensation of feeling "gassy", or the urge to move your bowels. After the colonoscopy you should not expect to be uncomfortable.

4. What is a gastrointestinal lavage and how does it work?
Colonoscopies involve looking at the inside of the intestine, all fecal material (body waste) must be flushed or washed out of your system so that the doctor can have a clear view of your colon. Gastrointestinal lavages, such as NuLYTELY and GoLYTELY, flush out the colon so it is clean and free of material. NuLYTELY passes through the intestines and causes a liquid stool or mild diarrhea. In this way, NuLYTELY flushes the colon, leaving it clean for a clear diagnosis. If your colon is not completely clean, the time, expense and inconvenience of a repeat exam may be necessary.

5. When should I start taking NuLYTELY?
Please follow the patient instructions printed on the NuLYTELY bottle. If your physician gives you additional instructions, please be sure to follow them as well. For best results, follow a clear liquid diet the day before the exam.

6. Why NuLYTELY?
Your doctor may recommend NuLYTELY because it has 52% less salt and no sodium sulfate to improve taste. It is available in mineral water, cherry, lemon-lime, pineapple and orange flavors. NuLYTELY is easy to prepare and requires only 4 hours to complete.

7. How can I drink that much?
It is best to drink an 8-ounce glassful every 10-15 minutes. Rapidly drinking a glassful will do a much better job than sipping an ounce or two at a time. You will have consumed several glassfuls before having the first loose watery bowel movement and this may make you feel slightly bloated. You will become more comfortable as you start to have periodic bowel movements. You may experience nausea, abdominal fullness and bloating. If this occurs, stop drinking temporarily or drink each portion at longer intervals until these symptoms disappear.

8. How long will it take?
It will take close to three hours to drink the solution. You must drink all the solution to achieve the best results. Within an additional hour, you should be finished evacuating NuLYTELY.

9. What information about myself should I share with the doctor?
Any woman who is pregnant or who thinks she might be should let her doctor know before taking NuLYTELY.

10. Is there red dye in Cherry NuLYTELY?
There are no dyes in any of the NuLYTELY and GoLYTELY products. All solutions are clear upon reconstitution.

11. Do the flavored NuLYTELY products contain sugar?
None of our NuLYTELY and GoLYTELY products contain sugar.

12. How long will NuLYTELY/GoLYTELY last once it is reconstituted?
The solution will last 48 hours once reconstituted. The mixture should be discarded after this time has elapsed.

13. Is NuLYTELY safe for children?
NuLYTELY is the only bowel preparation indicated for children. Pediatric patients (aged 6 months or greater) should drink NuLYTELY at a rate of 25 mL/kg/hr, until the rectal effluent is clear. Use of NuLYTELY in children younger than two years of age should be carefully monitored for occurrence of possible hypoglycemia as this solution has no caloric substrate. Chilled solution is NOT recommended for infants.

NuLYTELY is contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal obstruction, gastric retention, bowel perforation, toxic colitis, toxic megacolon, or ileus. NuLYTELY is contrandicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to any of the components.