Fasting
- Upper endoscopy, EUS, ERCP: no food for 6 hours; clear water up to 2 hours before.
- Colonoscopy: low-fibre diet for 1–2 days, clear fluids the day before as instructed, plus bowel preparation.
- POEM: usually liquids only for 1–2 days before, because food can stay in the food pipe.
Medicines
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban and others): don't stop them on your own. Tell us at least a week before; some need to be paused, others continued.
- Diabetes medicines and insulin: doses usually change on the fasting day. We'll advise you.
- Weight-loss / diabetes injections (semaglutide, tirzepatide): they slow stomach emptying; let us know.
- Take blood pressure and heart medicines with a sip of water unless told otherwise.
Sedation
Most procedures are done with sedation monitored throughout. After sedation: no driving, riding or important decisions for the rest of the day, and please come with someone who can take you home.
What to bring
- All previous endoscopy, scan and biopsy reports (and CDs of scans)
- A list of your medicines
- ID and insurance details
- A family member or friend
After the procedure: when to call
Seek urgent help for severe or worsening belly pain, fever, vomiting blood, black stools or passing a lot of blood, or chest pain or breathing difficulty.