Can You Mix Golyteley With Gatorade For Colonoscopy Prep?

Understanding Colonoscopy Preparation Solutions

Getting ready for a colonoscopy can be challenging. One of the most difficult parts of the preparation is selecting and completing the bowel prep solution to thoroughly cleanse your colon. Two popular options for colonoscopy prep solutions are Golyteley and Gatorade, but can you mix the two together? Let's explore some key information about colonoscopy prep solutions to understand if and how Golyteley and Gatorade can be mixed.

What is Golyteley?

Golyteley, also known as GoLytely or NuLytely, is a type of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution. It contains electrolytes and large amounts of polyethylene glycol along with flavors and other ingredients. It is an isosmotic laxative solution, which means it draws water into the colon to induce bowel movements leading up to the colonoscopy.

Golyteley often comes as a powder that you mix with water and chill prior to drinking. It does not contain any solid particles, just the PEG electrolyte solution. This prep causes you to have lots of watery bowel movements so your colon will be cleared of waste material.

What is Gatorade?

Gatorade is a well-known sports drink containing carbohydrates and electrolytes. It was originally developed to rehydrate athletes and replenish minerals lost through sweating. The most common ingredients in Gatorade include water, sugar, dextrose, citric acid, natural flavor, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, and flavoring/coloring ingredients.

Gatorade helps athletes rehydrate and maintain performance during activities. It contains fluids, carbs for energy, and electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Gatorade does not have laxative effects or cleanse the bowels.

Is It Safe to Mix Golyteley and Gatorade?

Golyteley and Gatorade serve very different purposes, so there is no medical reason to mix them. Golyteley cleanses your colon while Gatorade hydrates and replenishes. Combining them offers no real benefits.

However, some people dilute the unpleasant taste of Golyteley solution by mixing it with clear liquids, including:

• Water
• Clear broth
• Apple juice
• White cranberry juice
• White grape juice
• Sprite
• Ginger ale
• Weak tea
• Powdered flavor packets

Can Gatorade be one of these allowable clear liquids used to dilute Golyteley prep solution? Technically, yes - adding some Gatorade to Golyteley likely will not cause any medical issues. The Gatorade does not counteract the laxative effects of the prep. Keep in mind that Gatorade contains food dye, so it could result in some colorful/dark bowel movements.

Tips for Mixing Golyteley and Gatorade

If you decide to mix Gatorade with your Golyteley prep solution, here are some tips:

• Stick to a small amount of Gatorade such as 1-2 cups total
• Choose a clear/light colored Gatorade like lemon-lime or white cherry
• Mix the Golyteley according to instructions before adding Gatorade
• Add just a splash or few ounces of Gatorade at a time
• Adjust ratios to suit your taste preferences
• Avoid red, blue, orange, or purple colored Gatorade as this can discolor bowel movements

You still need to drink the full amount of Golyteley solution required, so do not replace too much of it with Gatorade. The purpose is solely to improve the taste, not alter the cleansing effects. The hospital may provide their own recommend mixtures, so check with them first if able.

Comparing Golyteley and Other Bowel Preps

When preparing for your colonoscopy, considering the available bowel prep options can help determine what may work best for your situation. How does Golyteley compare to other preps on the market?

Golyteley

As a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution, Golyteley works by drawing fluids into the bowel through osmosis to stimulate evacuation of bowel contents. Benefits include:

• Highly effective full bowel cleanse
• Split dosing provides clear results
• Low risk of fluid/electrolyte imbalance
• Allows solid foods in diet prior to prep
• Covered by most insurance plans

Downsides of Golyteley can include:

• Large fluid volume to consume
• Unpleasant taste
• Time commitment to finish solution
• Possible bloating, nausea, vomiting

Sodium Phosphate Preps

These preps contain sodium phosphate which draws water into the colon to quickly flush everything out. Options include:

• Fleet Phospho Soda
• OsmoPrep

Benefits over Golyteley can include smaller fluid volume and faster prep time. However, sodium phosphate preps have more safety concerns, including:

• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Kidney problems

These preps require more dietary precautions prior as well. Overall, they have more risks than Golyteley for many patients.

Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium citrate works by drawing water into the intestine via osmosis and stimulating bowel movements through muscle contraction. Key aspects include:

• Small fluid volume (around 10 ounces)
• Readily available over-the-counter
• Inexpensive compared to prescription preps
• Unpleasant metallic taste
• May not cleanse as fully as Golyteley
• Possible cramping or nausea

So while easier to drink than Golyteley, magnesium citrate may come with more side effects and not clear the bowels out as thoroughly. But it can be an option for those unable to tolerate large-volume PEG solutions.

Low-Volume PEG Solutions

To improve the tolerability of polyethylene glycol preps, lower volume solutions have been developed. These include:

• Moviprep
• Suprep
• Clenpiq

These solutions require drinking only 24-32 ounces of fluid, significantly less than the 1⁄2 gallon or more of traditional Golyteley. Benefits include:

• Smaller fluid volume
• Possibly better taste
• Split dosing available
• Effective full bowel cleansing

Compared to Golyteley, lower volume options can improve compliance with drinking the solution. But they are more expensive and may have increased risks of side effects like vomiting, headache, or electrolyte disturbances since the required prep fluid is consumed in a shorter timeframe.

How Should You Choose Your Colonoscopy Prep?

When deciding on the best colonoscopy bowel prep, consider factors like:

• Insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs
• Prep fluid volume you can manage to drink
• Taste preferences
• Underlying health conditions
• Prior experience with preps

Talk to your doctor if you have had issues with preps in the past or have medical conditions they should consider when recommending options. Certain bowel issues may also make one prep better suited over another.

You can try mixing Golyteley with clear liquids like Gatorade to improve taste. Just focus on minimizing the substituted volume so you still drink most of the prep solution. The key priority is choosing a colonoscopy bowel prep you can complete properly for optimal results.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.