Picolax – Standard Bowel Preparation for Afternoon Appointment

This information is for an afternoon appointment.

You will need to follow a five day ‘low residue diet’ (no nuts or seeds). 

A list of ‘allowed foods’ can be found on below. Please use this list for all your meals before your colonoscopy. 

You will also be required to consume ‘clear fluids’ only. A list can be found on the last page of this leaflet.  

Please note: We encourage you to drink ‘extra clear fluids’ during this period to reduce the risk of you becoming unwell due to dehydration. 

The day before procedure 

Please have a low residue breakfast to finish prior to 8am. Please drink extra volumes of clear fluids. 

Please have a low residue lunch at between 12pm and 1.30pm. Please drink extra volumes of clear fluids You are no longer allowed to eat ‘solid’ food until after your colonoscopy. 

Please take the first dose (1 sachet) of Picolax at 4pm – make as per instructions provided. 

Instructions on making your picolax

Mix contents of first sachet of Sodium Picosulphate (Picolax) with approximately 150ml of cold water. Stir for two to three minutes and then drink the solution. If the solution becomes hot, then allow it to cool before drinking. Repeat for second dose. 

Please drink extra volumes of clear fluids. 

Day of procedure 

Please have the second sachet of Picolax at 8am – make as per instructions provided.     

Please drink clear fluids only from this point onwards until two hours prior to your colonoscopy.  

Low residue / low fibre foods you are allowed

• White meat, skinless chicken, grilled or poached fish 
• White bread, rice, pasta, boiled or mashed potatoes 
• Cheese, eggs, tofu, butter/margarine 
• Ice cream, custard 
• Shredless marmalade or jam 
• Clear soups/meat extract drinks e.g. Bovril. 

High fibre foods which should be avoided

• Red meat, sausages, Pies 
• Wholemeal pasta, brown rice, wholemeal bread 
• Vegetables, fruit or salad 
• Potato skins or chips 
• Cakes, biscuits, puddings containing fruit or nuts, yoghurts 
• Nuts, seeds and pulses including baked beans.                                 

Please note: Nuts and seeds should be avoided as they can block up the procedure equipment which could lead to your procedure being abandoned.      

Clear fluids

• Water 
• Diluted cordials – not Blackcurrant 
• Herbal teas 
• Black tea, black coffee 
• lear soups/meat extracts drinks eg. Bovril 
• Clear fruit juice (without pulp) 
• Fizzy drinks including Lucozade but not Cola/Blackcurrant flavoured /coloured.

Hints and tips

• You may drink it through a straw- it may be more palatable
• You may add a light-coloured cordial to it to alter the flavour if desired. 

Contact numbers

Endoscopy Advice Line: 01305 253152 

About this leaflet

Author: Suzie Batten, Clinical Endoscopist 
Written: May 2025 
Approved: May 2025 
Review date: May 2028 
Edition: 1 

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk