Capsule endoscopy

The patient swallows a small pill containing a camera to record the small intestine. The intestine must be clean.

• The day before: A light lunch, and from then on, a strict, completely clear liquid diet (water, clear broths, clear herbal teas). You will also need to take a laxative following the instructions given by your doctor or centre.
• Fasting before the test: Strict fasting for 10 to 12 hours before swallowing the capsule. Do not take any medication within the 2 hours before swallowing it.
• Iron: If you take oral iron supplements, stop them 7 days before the test (unless your doctor tells you otherwise), as they stain the intestine and make it harder to see.
• Medication (Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets): As this is a non-invasive test (no biopsies are taken and no polyps are removed), it is generally not necessary to stop anticoagulants (such as acenocoumarol/sintrom, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, heparin, etc.) or antiplatelets (such as aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor, prasugrel, etc.). However, it is ESSENTIAL that you follow the exact instructions given by your doctor. Review the consultation report in which the test was requested to confirm the specific guidelines for your case.
• During the test: After swallowing the capsule, you cannot drink anything for 2 hours. After 2 hours, you can drink clear liquids. At the 4-hour mark, a very light meal is usually allowed. Do not remove or disconnect the recorder, and avoid strenuous physical exertion until you are told the test is over.
• After the test: You must not have an MRI scan until it has been confirmed that you have passed the capsule. If you need to have one, tell them you have had this test.