Medically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Davidoff, MD, Board-Certified Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist | 18+ Years Experience | Last Updated: May 2026
Quick Answer
Yes, the bowel preparation for colonoscopy is available in pill form. The product is called Sutab. It is a 24-tablet, 2-dose regimen taken with water (instead of drinking large volumes of flavored or salty liquid laxative), and FDA-approved for colonoscopy preparation. Cleansing quality is comparable to traditional liquid preps when taken correctly. Patients who have struggled with the taste, volume, or nausea of liquid prep often tolerate Sutab significantly better. At Gastroenterology and Nutrition P.C. in Forest Hills, we offer Sutab as a pill-based alternative to liquid prep for eligible patients.
For most patients, the colonoscopy itself is not what causes the dread. It is the preparation. The traditional liquid preparation requires drinking 1 to 4 liters of a flavored, salty laxative solution over the night before and morning of the procedure, often inducing nausea, vomiting, and the very specific exhaustion of being trapped near a bathroom for hours. Sutab is the FDA-approved tablet alternative that has changed the prep experience for many patients in the last few years.
This guide explains what Sutab is, how it works, the dosing schedule, who is and is not a candidate, what to expect during prep, how it compares to liquid prep, the cost and insurance picture, and how to request it for your next colonoscopy at our Forest Hills office.
The Direct Answer From Our Practice
“Yes, the bowel prep is available in pill form. It is called Sutab.”
Gastroenterology and Nutrition P.C., Forest Hills, Queens
What Sutab Is and How It Works
Sutab is an FDA-approved tablet bowel preparation that received approval in 2020 specifically for colonoscopy. Each Sutab kit contains 24 tablets, taken in two doses of 12 tablets each, the night before and the morning of the procedure. The active ingredients are a combination of sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride, which work as osmotic laxatives to draw water into the colon and clear it.
The mechanism is the same as the traditional liquid preps (PEG-based solutions like GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY, MiraLAX with Gatorade, or the older sodium phosphate preps). The difference is in the delivery: instead of drinking the salt mixture as a liquid, you swallow tablets and follow them with water.
The total fluid intake during a Sutab prep is similar to a liquid prep (you still need to drink a substantial amount of water to flush the colon), but the volume of bad-tasting solution drops to zero. Most patients describe Sutab as significantly easier to tolerate.
The Sutab Dosing Schedule
The Sutab regimen is a split-dose protocol, which is the gold standard for colonoscopy prep:
Evening Before (around 5 to 6 PM, exact timing per office instructions)
- Take 12 tablets with 16 ounces of water (the Sutab kit includes a measuring cup).
- Drink an additional 16 ounces of water within the next 30 minutes.
- Drink another 16 ounces of water within the following 30 minutes.
Total: 12 tablets + 48 ounces of water over about 1 hour.
Morning of Procedure (around 5 to 6 hours before scheduled procedure time)
- Take the second 12 tablets with 16 ounces of water.
- Drink an additional 16 ounces of water within the next 30 minutes.
- Drink another 16 ounces of water within the following 30 minutes.
Total: 12 more tablets + 48 ounces of water.
Stop Drinking
Stop all liquids at least 2 hours before your scheduled procedure time per current ASA guidelines.
The split-dose timing is crucial. Taking the entire prep the night before (the older single-dose protocol) does not clean the right side of the colon as effectively. The morning dose is what produces the high-quality cleanse needed for the endoscopist to spot small polyps.
What to Expect During the Prep
The first dose typically begins working within 30 minutes to 2 hours. Watery diarrhea continues for several hours. Most patients are essentially “done” with the evening dose by bedtime. The morning dose works similarly, with diarrhea typically clearing within 4 to 5 hours of starting.
Practical tips:
- Stay near a bathroom. Plan to be at home from when you start the prep until you leave for the procedure.
- Use moist wipes and barrier cream. Frequent bowel movements can irritate the anal area. Hemorrhoid wipes, baby wipes, or witch hazel pads help. A barrier cream (Vaseline, A&D ointment) prevents soreness.
- Drink the prescribed volume of water. Sutab does NOT work properly without the additional water. The water is what flushes the colon clean.
- Do not eat solid food from the start of the clear-liquid diet (typically the morning of prep day) through the procedure. Allowed: clear broth, plain water, white grape or apple juice, plain coffee or tea (no milk), gelatin (avoid red, blue, or purple dyes).
- Avoid red, purple, or blue liquids. These dyes can stain the colon lining and look like blood, complicating the endoscopist’s interpretation.
- Take the tablets with water, not other liquids. Other beverages can affect absorption.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sutab?
Most adults preparing for a routine screening or diagnostic colonoscopy are candidates for Sutab, including patients who:
- Have struggled with the taste or volume of liquid preps in the past
- Have a history of nausea or vomiting with liquid prep
- Prefer pills over liquid for any reason
- Have intact swallowing function (can swallow standard-size tablets)
Patients who may NOT be candidates and should discuss with the prescribing physician:
- Severe kidney disease (electrolyte balance is harder to maintain)
- Heart failure (the volume of water required can be a problem)
- Severe gastrointestinal motility disorders
- Bowel obstruction or perforation risk
- Severe inflammatory bowel disease flare
- Inability to swallow large tablets
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding (discuss with OB)
Our team reviews your medical history before prescribing any prep and will recommend the best option for your specific situation.
How Sutab Compares to Other Bowel Preps
| Prep | Form | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutab | 24 tablets + water | No bad-tasting liquid; better tolerated; split-dose protocol | Higher cost; large pill burden (12 tablets per dose); need to drink 48 oz water per dose |
| GoLYTELY / NuLYTELY (PEG) | 4 liter liquid | Long safety record; gentle on kidneys; lower cost | Large volume; salty/medicinal taste; nausea common |
| MiraLAX + Gatorade | 238g powder + 64 oz Gatorade | More palatable than PEG; lower cost; widely used | Off-label use; sometimes incomplete cleanse; high sugar |
| Plenvu | 1 liter liquid (lower volume) | Lower liquid volume than PEG; mango or other flavor | Still has medicinal taste; higher cost than PEG |
| Suprep | 2 x 6 oz liquid (concentrated) | Small volume; familiar to many endoscopists | Strong taste; need to drink lots of additional water |
Cost and Insurance for Sutab
Sutab typically costs $150 to $200 retail without insurance. With most commercial insurance plans, the patient copay is significantly lower. Many patients pay $30 to $60 with prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part D plans usually cover Sutab.
The manufacturer (Sebela Pharmaceuticals) offers a copay savings program that can reduce the patient cost further for eligible commercially-insured patients. Our office can provide the program information.
For comparison, traditional PEG-based prep (GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY) is typically $20 to $50 with insurance, and MiraLAX + Gatorade is essentially over-the-counter and very low cost. The Sutab cost premium reflects the patient-experience improvement.
How to Request Sutab for Your Colonoscopy
If you would like to use Sutab for your colonoscopy at Gastroenterology and Nutrition P.C., follow these steps:
- Mention it at scheduling. Tell our office at the time you book the procedure or at your pre-procedure consultation.
- Confirm with your insurance. Have our team verify your prescription drug coverage so there are no surprises at the pharmacy.
- Pick up the prescription. Sutab is a prescription medication. Our office sends the script to your preferred pharmacy.
- Read the timing instructions carefully. The split-dose protocol depends on your specific procedure time. Our staff provides personalized timing.
- Call us with any questions. Particularly if you have not used Sutab before, the right water volume and timing make all the difference. Call (718) 261-0900.
Common Questions Patients Ask Before Their First Sutab Prep
Is the cleanse as good as liquid prep?
Yes, when taken correctly. Multiple clinical trials have shown that Sutab achieves cleansing quality comparable to leading liquid preps when patients follow the dosing and water intake instructions.
Will I still have to drink a lot of water?
Yes. Sutab requires 48 ounces of water per dose (96 ounces total). The water is what activates the prep and flushes the colon. The difference is that all of the water can be plain (no salty laxative dissolved in it), which is much easier to drink.
How long do I need to be near a bathroom?
Plan for several hours after each dose. Most patients are essentially done with bowel movements within 4 to 6 hours of completing each dose.
Can I take Sutab if I have diabetes?
Generally yes. Diabetic patients should follow specific medication adjustments during the prep day (insulin doses often reduced; oral diabetes medications often held). Our office and your prescribing physician coordinate the plan.
Why Forest Hills Patients Choose Our Practice
Gastroenterology and Nutrition P.C. is an AAAASF-certified facility at 108-16 72nd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Forest Hills, Queens NY 11375. We perform colonoscopies and upper endoscopies on-site, including Sunday hours for patients who need weekend appointments. Our endoscopy team includes Dr. Samuel Davidoff (Founder, board-certified GI and hepatologist with 18+ years of experience) and Dr. Yuriy Israel (board-certified GI and internal medicine, 15+ years of experience).
We accept the majority of commercial insurances, Medicare, and various Medicaids, and we work with you to confirm prep coverage in advance. Our patients come from Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and across Queens. Our team speaks English, Russian, and Spanish.
If you have a colonoscopy coming up and want to know whether Sutab is right for you, call us. Same-week consultation appointments are usually available.
Schedule a Colonoscopy Consultation
Or call (718) 261-0900
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sutab covered by insurance?
Most commercial prescription drug plans and Medicare Part D plans cover Sutab. Patient copays typically run $30 to $60 with insurance, vs $150 to $200 without. The manufacturer offers a copay savings program for eligible commercially-insured patients.
How many tablets are in a Sutab prep?
24 tablets total, taken in two doses of 12 tablets each (split-dose protocol: 12 the night before, 12 the morning of the procedure).
Can I take Sutab without water?
No. Sutab requires 48 ounces of water per dose to work. Without the water, the prep does not activate properly and the cleanse will be incomplete.
Is Sutab better than liquid prep?
“Better” depends on what matters most. Cleansing quality is comparable when both are taken correctly. Sutab is significantly easier for most patients to tolerate (no salty taste, no large liquid volume) but costs more and involves a substantial pill burden. Patients who have struggled with liquid prep in the past usually prefer Sutab.
Do you offer Sutab at Gastroenterology and Nutrition P.C.?
Yes. We offer Sutab as a pill-based alternative to liquid prep for eligible patients. Mention your interest at scheduling and our team will review your medical history and verify insurance coverage.
How do I take Sutab if my colonoscopy is on a Sunday?
The same split-dose protocol applies regardless of which day your procedure falls on. The evening dose is taken the night before (Saturday evening for a Sunday procedure), and the morning dose is taken 5 to 6 hours before the procedure. Yes, we do schedule colonoscopies on Sundays for patients who cannot take time off during the week.
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.
