Guide

• Inform your doctor if you have heart disease, diabetes, bleeding disorders, asthma, drug allergies, or are pregnant.
• Stop medications that affect HP test results (if an HP test is performed):

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI: omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole…) → stop at least 10–14 days before the endoscopy.
Antibiotics and bismuth-containing medications → stop at least 4 weeks before the endoscopy.

• If you take anticoagulants/antiplatelets (Aspirin, Plavix, Warfarin, Xarelto, Eliquis…): inform your doctor immediately. You may need to stop them 5–7 days before the endoscopy if polyp removal is planned, but only stop when directed by your treating doctor.
• Keep your normal eating habits; avoid alcohol, hard-to-digest and greasy foods.

• Limit high-fiber and seedy foods (raw vegetables, corn, beans, sesame, fruit seeds…).
• Prepare mentally and arrange time off work/school for the endoscopy day.
• If you have chronic conditions requiring daily medication (hypertension, heart disease, diabetes…), continue taking them as directed by your doctor.

• Eat soft, low-fiber foods: porridge, soup, noodles, soft rice.
• Avoid dark-colored foods (tomato, watermelon, beetroot) as they may affect visibility during the endoscopy.
• Absolutely avoid alcohol, strong coffee and colored soft drinks.
• If the patient is constipated, take a laxative for 3 days before the endoscopy (Duphalac 15ml, 2 sachets per day divided into 2 times: 1 sachet in the morning, 1 in the evening).

For gastroscopy:

• Fast after 22:00 (including plain water).

For colonoscopy:

• Eat thin porridge, clear soup, plain water.
• Do not eat vegetables or fruit (especially seeded fruits like guava, dragon fruit, watermelon…)
• Take bowel-cleansing medication as instructed by medical staff (Fortrans/PEG or equivalent)
• Mix the medication with plain water, drink in small sips, divided into 2 times:

1st time: Drink in the afternoon/evening the day before the endoscopy.
2nd time: Drink on the morning of the endoscopy (4–6 hours before the procedure)

• Drink plenty of plain water to cleanse completely (until the output is clear).

• Do not eat or drink anything for at least 6–8 hours before the endoscopy (both gastroscopy and colonoscopy).
• Bring all medical records, prescriptions, and test results (if any).
• Report all medications you are taking to your doctor, especially heart, blood pressure, diabetes and anticoagulant drugs.
• Wear comfortable clothing and no jewelry.
• You will be given an explanation by the doctor, sign the consent form, and change into endoscopy clothing.
• Have a family member accompany you (if sedation is used).

• It may be done without or with sedation (brief sleep).
• The doctor will examine the stomach – colon lining and perform an HP test if indicated.
• If a colon polyp is found, the doctor may remove it during the procedure and send the sample for pathology.
• Medical staff monitor blood pressure, pulse and SpO₂ throughout the process.

• Rest for 30–60 minutes, especially if sedation was used.
• You may feel bloating, a mild sore throat, or pass a lot of gas → these will resolve on their own.
• If sedation was used, do not drive or sign important matters for 24 hours.
• If a polyp was removed:

Eat soft foods; avoid spicy/hot food and alcohol for 2–3 days.
Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting.
Contact your doctor immediately if: severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, heavy rectal bleeding, or fever.

• Proper fasting and bowel cleansing are decisive factors for endoscopy quality.
• Inform your doctor of all underlying conditions and current medications before the endoscopy.
• After the endoscopy, the patient should follow up and return as scheduled to receive HP test and pathology results (if a polyp was removed).