The way to use Fortrans in preparing your bowel before colonoscopy varies among specialists. This is because your doctor may want to calibrate the level of bowel preparation based on his or her understanding of your digestive function. It is common for some endoscopists to combine Fortrans with another laxative to enhanced the bowel cleansing while others prefer a split-dose method with Fortrans alone. You should follow the instructions provided by your doctor closely for the best possible effects planned for you.
In general, each packet of Fortrans powder is to be dissolved in 1 litre of water to obtain the right concentration. Cool boiled water will do just fine but you can certainly use mineral water for the same purpose. You may be requested to consume a few litres of this preparation over a period of 2-3 hours without or without additional laxatives. The objective of the bowel prep is to ensure you pass at least 4 to 5 times of loose stools to clear as much residue as possible to allow a meaningful colonoscopy.
If you find the above preparation disagrees with your taste buds especially when you have to consume it in large amounts, a simple trick is to add a little lime juice and chill it in the fridge before consuming. If this is still not working well for you, you may have to speak with your doctor for another bowel preparation method.
Dr Quan
