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HalfLytely® and Bisacodyl (polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution and bisacodyl) is a prescription medication used for cleansing of the bowels before a colonoscopy. This type of bowel cleansing is often called colonoscopy preparation, or simply colon prep or bowel prep.
This product was named "HalfLytely" because you will need to drink only two liters of the solution instead of the usual three to four liters for other bowel-prep products.
A colonoscopy is a common medical procedure used to screen for colon and rectal cancer. It is also done to look for possible causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits.
During a colonoscopy, your healthcare provider will insert a long, flexible, lighted tube (called a colonoscope) into your rectum and slowly guide it into your colon. The colonoscope transmits an image of the inside of the colon so your healthcare provider can carefully examine the lining of the colon.
Your healthcare provider will look for any problems, such as abnormal growths (polyps), ulcers, or inflammation. If polyps are seen, they can be removed during the procedure (see Colonoscopy Procedure for more information about what to expect during a colonoscopy).
It is very important that your healthcare provider can see inside your large intestine or colon during a colonoscopy. Any stool inside the colon may hide important findings. For this reason, the bowels are prepped, or cleaned out, prior to a colonoscopy. Medications like HalfLytely and Bisacodyl are used to empty the bowels and prepare them for a colonoscopy (see Colonoscopy Prep to learn about other things that are done to prepare for a colonoscopy).
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