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Patient Instructions · United Gastroenterology Associates
Sutab Colonoscopy Prep Instructions
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, a gastroenterologist at United Gastroenterology Associates in Cypress and Katy, gives these instructions for Sutab, a tablet bowel prep taken as two doses of 12 tablets: the first the evening before your colonoscopy and the second 4 hours before you leave home on the day of your procedure, each taken with three 16-ounce containers of water. Follow the practice’s step-by-step instructions below, read the General Colonoscopy Instructions first, and call (346) 340-4414 with any questions. These instructions are for patients scheduled with Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE, at United Gastroenterology Associates.
Medically reviewed by Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE · Updated
Prep questions: (346) 340-4414
Sutab Prep at a Glance
As Dr. Khan's instructions explain, Sutab is taken as two doses of 12 tablets. Between 3 and 6 PM the day before your procedure, swallow each of the first 12 tablets with a sip of water while drinking 16 ounces of water over 15 to 20 minutes. About 1 hour after the last tablet, drink another 16 ounces of water over 30 minutes, and about 30 minutes after that, a final 16 ounces over 30 minutes. Repeat the same steps with the second bottle 4 hours before you leave home. Stop everything by mouth 3 hours before your arrival time.
Important
Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. Do not stop, start or change any medicine unless Dr. Khan's office or your prescribing doctor tells you to. If the instructions you received differ from this page, follow the instructions you received.
Have DIABETES? Read this first!
Sutab Prep
IMPORTANT GLP-1 DRUG INFO
The following weight loss / diabetic drugs should be held as instructed prior to procedure:
- Liraglutide: Victoza (weekly) and Saxenda (daily)
- Dulaglutide: Trulicity (weekly)
- Exenatide: Bydureon (weekly) and Byetta (daily)
- Semaglutide: Ozempic (weekly), Wegovy (weekly) and Rybelsus (daily)
- Tirzepatide: Mounjaro (weekly) and Zepbound (weekly)
- Lixisenatide: Adlyxin (daily)
The medication will need to be stopped seven (7) days prior to your procedure if you are on a weekly dose or the day of your procedure if you are on a daily dose.
5-7 Days before your procedure
Have your prescription filled. Questions about the procedure itself? See our colonoscopy services overview, or call the Katy office or Cypress office.
5 Days before your procedure
If you routinely have less than 2 bowel movements per week then you will also need to purchase an 8.3 oz bottle of Miralax®. Begin taking a dose of Miralax® twice a day 5 days prior to your procedure. Take the last dose of Miralax® in the morning the day before your procedure.
3 Days before your procedure
AVOID raw fruits and vegetables, whole wheat/multigrain products, beans, nuts, popcorn and seeds.
1 Day before your procedure
You may only have clear liquids the entire day such as water, coffee, tea, broth, sodas, apple juice, Gatorade, Kool-aid, Jell-O, popsicles and hard candy. You may not have any solid food. It is important to drink extra clear liquids before your prep to maintain adequate hydration. Do not drink liquids that are not clear such as milk. Do not drink liquids that are red or purple in color.
The day before the procedure – BETWEEN 3 AND 6 PM – Start your prep
-
STEP 1:
- Open 1 bottle of 12 tablets. Fill the provided container with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line). Swallow each tablet with a sip of water, and drink the entire amount of water over 15 to 20 minutes.
- Approximately 1 hour after the last tablet is ingested, fill the provided container again with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line), and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes.
- Approximately 30 minutes after finishing the second container of water, fill the provided container with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line),and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes.
- If you experience nausea – pause or slow rate of drinking additional water until symptoms diminish.
- Use baby wipes and/or Balneol cleansing cream or lotion during the prep to reduce irritation.
The day of the procedure – 4 HOURS before you leave home for your appointment
-
STEP 1:
- Open second bottle of 12 tablets. Fill the provided container with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line). Swallow each tablet with a sip of water, and drink the entire amount of water over 15 to 20 minutes. Approximately 1 hour after the last tablet is ingested, fill the provided container again with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line), and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes.
- Approximately 30 minutes after finishing the second container of water, fill the provided container with 16 ounces of water (up to the fill line),and drink the entire amount over 30 minutes.
- If you experience nausea- pause or slow rate of drinking additional water until symptoms diminish.
- You may take your prescription medications (except those listed in the booklet) with water up to 3 hours before your appointment arrival time.
- Do not use smokeless tobacco on the day of your procedure.
Special Instructions
Starting 3 hours before your appointment arrival time absolutely nothing by mouth, including gum, hard candy, and breath mints.
- Do not take other laxatives while taking SUTAB.
- Do not take oral medications within 1 hour of starting each dose of SUTAB.
- If taking tetracycline or fluoroquinolone antibiotics, iron, digoxin, chlorpromazine, or penicillamine take these medications at least 2 hours before and not less than 6 hours after administration of each dose of SUTAB.
Please call us at (346) 340 4414 if you have any questions or if you are having difficulty with the preparation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Make An AppointmentDiabetic Prep
Medications
- If you take oral medications for your diabetes, do NOT take your diabetes pills on the day prior to your procedure (prep day) or on the day of your procedure (until your procedure is complete and you resume a normal diet).
- If you take non-insulin injectable medications (Byetta, Bydureon, Victoza, Trulicity, Tanzeum, Symlin), do not take the medication if your injection day is the day prior to your procedure (prep day). You can resume it after the procedure is complete.
- If you take insulin, reduce your dose by 50% (half) of your normal dose on the day prior to your procedure and the day of your procedure. You can resume your normal dose after the procedure when you resume normal diet.
- If you use an insulin pump, contact your diabetes doctor for instruction. Generally, most patients will need to reduce their basal rate to 80% of the normal rate.
Diet
- You should aim for 45-60 grams of carbs with each meal. Although you may ordinarily avoid sugars, they are ok to take when you are prepping for your colonoscopy as these will be the main source of calories when you are on a clear liquid diet.
- For snacks, try to include other fluids that contain electrolytes such as broth.
- Examples of clear liquids with carb amounts are listed below. Note, if you experience low blood sugar (<60) during the 2 hours before your procedure, you can take 3 teaspoons of soda or clear juice to raise your sugar. Do NOT take solid foods or non-clear liquids, as your procedure will be cancelled.
FLUID
AMOUNT
CARBS
Juice
1/2 cup
15 g
Jello
1/2 cup
15 g
Soda
1 can
40 g
Popsicle
1 double stick
15 g
Gatorade/Powerade
1/2 cup
15 g
Broth (veg/chicken/beef)
any
0 g
Clear Protein Drinks
Clear Protein Drinks
0 g
Please call us at (346) 340 4414 if you have any questions or if you are having difficulty with the preparation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Make An AppointmentKey Rules From the General Colonoscopy Instructions
These points summarize the general colonoscopy instructions Dr. Khan's office provides. Read the full general colonoscopy instructions for details, and follow any personal instructions the office gives you.
- Driver: an adult must drive you home and stay at the center during your procedure.
- Blood thinners: ask the office for guidance before your procedure. Do not stop them on your own.
- GLP-1 medicines: tell the office if you take one. The instructions give separate timing for weekly and daily GLP-1 medicines.
- Iron, diet pills and herbal medicines: the instructions ask you to stop these 7 days before.
- Alcohol: avoid for 24 hours before and after your colonoscopy.
- Before arrival: nothing by mouth starting 3 hours before you arrive, except approved medicines with up to 2 tablespoons of water.
- Rescheduling: call at least 3 to 4 days ahead.
Tell the office before your prep if you
- Take a blood thinner or aspirin
- Have diabetes or take insulin
- Take a GLP-1 medicine
- Have kidney or heart disease
- Are pregnant or may be pregnant
These conditions can change how you prepare. The office will give you personal instructions.
Questions About Your Sutab Prep?
If you are unsure about your prep, your medicines or your arrival time, call the office before you start.
If Your Sutab Prep Is Not Working
Most preps start working within one to three hours of the first dose. If nothing has happened several hours after your first dose, if you are vomiting and cannot continue, or if your stool is still brown after the second dose, call (346) 340-4414 before your procedure. Read what to do if your colonoscopy prep is not working, what you can eat before a colonoscopy and low-residue foods before a colonoscopy. For the procedure itself, see colonoscopy services in Katy and Cypress.
Sutab Prep FAQs
Answers to common questions from patients preparing for a colonoscopy with Sutab.
What is Sutab?
Sutab is a prescription bowel prep in tablet form containing sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate and potassium chloride. It comes as two bottles of 12 tablets and a 16-ounce container; one bottle is one dose, taken with water.
When do I take each Sutab dose?
Take the first bottle of 12 tablets between 3 and 6 PM the day before your procedure and the second bottle 4 hours before you leave home for your appointment. Each dose is followed by two more 16-ounce containers of water, as described in the step-by-step instructions.
Can I take my other medicines with Sutab?
Do not take other laxatives while taking Sutab, and do not take oral medicines within 1 hour of starting each dose. If you take tetracycline or fluoroquinolone antibiotics, iron, digoxin, chlorpromazine or penicillamine, take them at least 2 hours before and not less than 6 hours after each dose of Sutab. Ask the office if you are unsure.
What can I eat and drink before Sutab?
Three days before your procedure, avoid raw fruits and vegetables, whole-wheat and multigrain products, beans, nuts, popcorn and seeds. The day before, have clear liquids only: water, coffee, tea, broth, sodas, apple juice, sports drinks, gelatin, popsicles and hard candy. No solid food, no milk, and nothing red or purple.
What if I feel sick while taking Sutab?
Pause or slow down how fast you drink the additional water until the nausea eases, then continue. Baby wipes or a cleansing lotion can reduce irritation during the prep. If you vomit repeatedly or cannot finish the prep, call (346) 340-4414.
When do I have to stop eating and drinking?
Clear liquids are allowed until 3 hours before your appointment arrival time. From 3 hours before arrival, take absolutely nothing by mouth, including gum, hard candy and breath mints. Prescription medicines you have been told to take may be taken with water up to 3 hours before arrival.
I have diabetes or take a GLP-1 medicine. What changes?
Read the GLP-1 and diabetic prep sections on this page. Weekly GLP-1 medicines are held 7 days before the procedure and daily ones on the day of the procedure, as instructed. Do not take oral diabetes pills on prep day or procedure day, reduce insulin as described, and contact your diabetes doctor for instructions if you use an insulin pump.
United Gastroenterology Associates Offices
Questions about your prep or appointment can be answered by either office. Your arrival location and time are in your appointment instructions.
United Gastroenterology Associates – Katy
Katy Freeway (I-10) near the Grand Parkway
- Address: 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, Katy, TX 77494
- Phone: (346) 340-4414
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:30 PM for lunch; last appointment 4:30 PM)
United Gastroenterology Associates – Cypress
Northwest Freeway (US-290) in Cypress
- Address: 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, Cypress, TX 77429
- Phone: (346) 340-4414
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:30 PM for lunch; last appointment 4:30 PM)
Ready to Start Your Sutab Prep?
Read the General Colonoscopy Instructions first, follow the Sutab steps above, and call (346) 340-4414 with any questions or difficulty during the prep.
Sources
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. DailyMed: Sutab (sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate and potassium chloride) tablets prescribing information and medication guide. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Understanding Bowel Preparation. asge.org
These are the patient preparation instructions of United Gastroenterology Associates for Sutab. They do not replace the personal instructions you receive from your doctor. Do not change any medicine without medical guidance. For a medical emergency, call 911. Last updated October 21, 2026.