Your doctor will give you complete instructions on how to prepare for your endoscopy. Most types of endoscopy require you to fast for up to 12 hours before the procedure, but your doctor will clarify this. Your doctor may give you laxatives or enemas to use the night before the procedure to clear your system. This is common in procedures involving into the gastrointestinal tract through the anus.

Prior to the endoscopy, your doctor will do a physical examination and go over your complete medical history, including any prior surgeries. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and nutritional supplements, and also alert your doctor about any allergies you might have. You may need to stop taking certain medications if they might affect bleeding.

You may want to plan for someone else to drive you home after the procedure because you might not feel well from the anesthesia.