What Colon Cleanses Are The Safest?

Colon screenings help physicians to detect cancerous and precancerous growths inside the colon and rectum. A thorough screening requires the cleansing of the colon prior to the colonoscopy or barium enema test. Colon cleansing is the patient's responsibility--most physicians require the use of a bowel cleaner and 24-hour fast. While it is common for a patient to use a sodium phosphate colon cleanser, the repeated use can cause kidney damage. Stephen B. Erickson, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic suggests safer alternatives, such as polyethylene glycol and magnesium citrate.

Polyethylene Glycol, or PEG

Electrolyte-balance, polyethylene glycol works to cleanse the colon by pushing out waste. Colonoscopy patients usually drink eight -ounces of PEG every 10 minutes. According to Harvard Medical School, the PEG dosage is usually broken down into two sessions. Patients ingest a total of four liters over a two-day period; three liters are consumed the night prior to the procedure and one liter ingested the morning of the colonoscopy. Physicians consider PEG safer than sodium phosphate because electrolyte shifts are minimal during the colon cleansing process.

Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium citrate is another common colon cleanser, often used in combination with a stool softener prior to rectal screenings. When used as a laxative, magnesium citrate increases water levels in the intestines, forcing out waste. Austin Gastroenterology suggests the ingestion of one 10-ounce bottle of magnesium citrate two days prior to colon screening. The night before the procedure, a second 10-ounce bottle of magnesium citrate is ingested to make certain that the bowels completely expel waste.

Diet

A colon cleansing diet is required in conjunction with the safe colon cleanses PEG or magnesium citrate. A diet of at least six liters of clear liquids usually begins the day before the colonoscopy procedure. According to Thomas Jefferson University, a clear liquid diet consists of apple juice, water, coffee or tea without cream, Gatorade, white grape juice, clear soda, lemonade without pulp and clear broth. In addition, patients may also have jello, ice pops and hard candy. It is important to note that patients may take nothing by mouth, including gum and mints, after midnight the evening prior to the procedure.