Preparation guide
Preparing for your upper GI endoscopy
A good preparation makes the test safer and quicker, and lets the doctor see clearly. Follow this guide along with any instructions the clinic gives you; if anything is different, the clinic’s instructions come first.
If your written instructions from the clinic differ, follow those.
Step by step
1A week before
- Tell us if you take any blood thinner (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin or one of the newer blood thinners). This must be discussed several days ahead. Never stop it on your own.
- Tell us if you have diabetes, heart, lung or kidney problems, or if you are pregnant.
- Ask whether you will have sedation or only a throat spray, so you can plan your day.
- If you are having sedation, arrange for an adult to come with you and take you home.
- Booked for ERCP, EUS or variceal banding? The same fasting and escort rules apply. ERCP may also need blood tests beforehand and a hospital stay of a few hours to overnight.
2The day before
- Eat normally during the day and keep dinner light.
- You must have nothing to eat for 6 to 8 hours before the test. For a morning test, this usually means no food after dinner the night before.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Keep your previous reports and your list of medicines ready in one folder.
3On the day
- Do not eat anything. Small sips of water are usually fine until about 2 hours before the test, as advised.
- Take your morning BP medicines with a small sip of water, unless the doctor has told you otherwise.
- Do not take diabetes tablets or insulin on the fasting morning unless the doctor has told you how to adjust them.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes and leave jewellery at home.
- Come a little early so there is time for the consent form and a quick check of your BP and sugar.
4After the test
- You will rest for a short while until the sedation wears off.
- Your throat may feel numb. Wait until the numbness goes before you drink water, then start with light food, as advised.
- A mild sore throat, bloating or burping is common and settles within a day.
- After sedation, do not drive, ride a two-wheeler, use machinery or sign important papers for the rest of the day.
- The doctor will explain what was seen. If a biopsy was taken, the result usually takes a few days.
Medicines to ask about
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, newer blood thinners): discuss these with us several days before the test and never stop them without advice.
- Diabetes tablets and insulin: the dose usually needs adjusting on the fasting morning, so ask the doctor exactly what to do.
- BP and heart medicines: these are usually taken on the morning of the test with a small sip of water.
- Acidity medicines: ask whether to continue them, especially if you are being tested for H. pylori.
- Ayurvedic, herbal and over-the-counter medicines: include them in your medicine list, as some can affect bleeding.
What to bring
- Previous endoscopy, scan and blood test reports.
- A written list of all your medicines.
- A photo ID and your appointment details.
- An adult to take you home if you are having sedation.
- Recent blood test reports if you are booked for ERCP.
Call the clinic if
- Severe abdominal pain or chest pain.
- Vomiting blood, or black, tarry stools after the test.
- Fever or chills after the test.
- Fainting or feeling very dizzy.
- Repeated vomiting or difficulty swallowing that does not settle.
Questions patients ask
This page is general information reviewed by Dr. Tejaswini Tumma. It does not replace a consultation.