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Plenvu: preparation at home

It is important that you strictly comply with the following guidelines before a colonoscopy. The colon must be completely clear and clean for this examination as waste material may prevent clear viewing. Optimum preparation is a must to ensure a successful colonoscopy.
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Nutrition

STEP 1: From 3 days before the examination

Avoid foods containing pips such as grapes, kiwis and tomatoes and eat a low fibre diet in accordance with the following guidelines. If you’re not sure about a certain food it is advisable not to eat it before the examination.

Bread, cereals and starchy products

OKNot OK
  • White bread
  • White biscuits
  • White rice
  • White pasta
  • Cornflakes (without added fruit or nuts)
  • Potatoes or potato dishes
  • Wholemeal products
  • Muesli and cereals

Meat, fish, eggs and vegetarian products

OKNot OK
  • Meat, fish or meat products without added gherkins, nuts, onion:
    • Fish
    • Chicken breast
    • Turkey fillet
    • Steak
    • Roast meat
    • Pork fillet
    • Hamburger
  • Egg or egg preparations
  • Natural quorn, tofu or seitan
  • Pre-prepared meat or fish salads
  • Strongly seasoned or fatty meat products such as pâté
  • Breaded or deep-fried meat or fish products
  • Prepared meat substitutes
  • Dried pulses

Vegetables

You may not eat vegetables.

Fruit

OKNot OK
  • Tinned fruit in syrup or juice such as:
    • Peaches
    • Apricots
    • Pears
  • Any fresh or dried fruit
  • Tinned pineapple in syrup or juice


Milk and milk products

OKNot OK
  • Milk and milk products
  • Soy products and lactose-free products (without added fruit/nuts/muesli/cereals)
  • Cheese without nuts or a hard crust
  • Any products with added fruit, nuts, muesli or cereals
  • Cheese with nuts or a hard crust


Spreads and cooking fats

OKNot OK
  • Spreads and cooking fats
  • Oil for deep frying


Remaining group

OKNot OK
  • Cake without fruit
  • Dry biscuits
  • Dextrose
  • Any preparations containing nuts, (dried) fruit or cereals


Drinks

OKNot OK
  • Clear fruit juice without pulp
  • Soft drink
  • Water
  • Sports drink
  • Coffee and tea
  • Strained soup (without vegetables) or clear broth
  • Alcoholic drinks

STEP 2: The day before the examination at 16:00

From now on only eat:

  • Hard biscuits/crackers with jam (without pieces or seeds)
  • Custard
  • Yoghurt (without grains and/or fruit)
  • Clear broth (without vegetables).

Only drink clear liquids as indicated above.

STEP 3: Do not eat anything anymore after 16:00 on the day before the examination until the examination has been completed.

Only drink clear liquids as explained above until 4 hours before the time of the appointment. Do not drink at all afterwards.

Medication

You can get Plenvu® from your pharmacy without a prescription.

If you suffer from constipation you should deal with it in the days leading up to the examination. Consult your GP or pharmacist regarding the correct treatment.

STEP 1: One day before the examination around 19:00

  • Mix the first pack of Plenvu® with 1/2 litre (500 ml) of cold water and stir until it becomes a clear liquid.
  • Drink the liquid slowly within half an hour (30 minutes) (= 1 glass every 10 to 15 minutes).
  • Drink at least an additional 1 litre of clear liquid within the following hour (see permitted drinks in the table above).

If the taste of the product is unpleasant, you can drink it together with the clear liquid within the hour.

STEP 2: The day of the examination: 6 hours before the time of the appointment:

  • Drink a glass of water.
  • Mix the second pack of Plenvu® (A+B) with 1/2 litre (500 ml) of cold water and stir to form a clear liquid. Drink the liquid slowly within half an hour (30 minutes) (=1 glass every 10 to 15 minutes).
  • Drink at least an additional 1 litre of clear liquid within the following hour (see permitted drinks in the table above).

If the taste of the product is unpleasant, you can drink it together with the clear liquid within the hour.

Points of attention

  • The examination will start as soon as your stomach has been empty for at least 4 hours.
  • Result of good preparation = watery, pale yellow (not brown) stools without flecks of debris.
  • Bring some spare underwear to be on the safe side.
  • Insufficient preparation can result in the following:
    • The examination cannot proceed
    • The inspection is not quite successful (poor quality results).
    • Higher risk of complications.
    • Therapeutic intervention (e.g. polypectomy) is not possible.
    • Anaesthetists refuse to put the patient under sedation.

Questions or problems?

  • In the event of medical questions concerning the preparation: call 016 34 33 52
  • Concerning nutrition: e-mail dieet@uzleuven.be

Download print version

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Last edit: 1 july 2025