What is Sutab: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

The clinic or prescriber will provide you with an instruction sheet. Please read and follow this instruction sheet. 

• Most instructions will allow you to eat a low-residue breakfast the day before the procedure.

• You will only drink clear fluids for the rest of the day until the procedure is finished the next day.

• Stop taking oral medications at least one hour before taking the first dose.

• You will stop drinking fluids two hours before the procedure.

Please read the Medication Guide included with the medicine and follow the instructions in the Medication Guide.

You will take two doses, one the evening before the colonoscopy and one the morning of the colonoscopy.

Each dose consists of one bottle of tablets (12 tablets total).

• Throw out the small package of dessicant inside the bottle. Do not swallow it.

Take all 12 tablets in the bottle with 16 ounces of water.

Immediately drink another 32 ounces of water after all the tablets have been swallowed.

Take the second bottle of 12 tablets the morning of the procedures with 16 ounces of water.

• Drink another 32 ounces of water after all the tablets have been swallowed.

Store the tablets in a closed container at room temperature.

The prescriber or clinic will provide written instructions that include what to do about a missed dose or a late dose.

The procedure may need to be rescheduled if doses are missed or taken too late.

If you’re unsure, call the clinic or prescribing healthcare provider.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have:

• Gastrointestinal blockage, including ileus

• A hole in the intestine or stomach (bowel perforation)

• Severe colon swelling (toxic colitis or toxic megacolon)

• Stomach emptying problems (gastric retention)

• Known allergies to any of the ingredients in the mixture

To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water before, during, and after the days you take Sutab doses.

Before using this medicine, tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any medical problems, particularly:

• Heart problems

• Heart rhythm problems

• Recent heart attack

• Chest pain

• Heart failure

• Electrolyte problems

• Stomach or bowel problems 

• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

• Acid reflux

• A history of seizures

• Low sodium levels

• Kidney problems

Tell the prescriber if you are undergoing withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepine addiction.

Sutab can cause serious problems, including:

• Dehydration

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Low blood pressure

• Heart rhythm abnormalities

• Worsening of kidney disease

• Seizures

• Bowel ulcers

• Bowel inflammation or damage due to blood flow problems (ischemic colitis)

Tell any other healthcare professional providing treatment that you are taking Sutab.

• Loss of fluids can alter the results of important blood tests and diagnostic procedures.

Do not take stimulant laxatives on the days you take Sutab doses.

Tell the prescriber about all medications that you are taking, particularly:

• Any medication taken by mouth

• Other laxatives

• Heart medications

• Blood pressure medications

• Anti-seizure medications

• NSAIDS such as aspirin or ibuprofen

• Seizure medications

• Drugs that make you urinate (diuretics)

• Medications that treat depression or other mental health issues

Sutab will interfere with the absorption and effectiveness of most oral medications. You should stop taking oral medications one hour before the first Sutab dose. 

• Talk to the prescriber if you’re taking essential oral medications such as blood thinners.

• Ask the prescriber or healthcare team when oral medications can resume after the procedure.

Some medications need to be stopped two hours before the first Sutab dose and should not be taken until six hours after the last dose. These include:

• Quinolone antibiotics

• Chlorpromazine, digoxin, iron, penicillamine, tetracycline