The Impact of GLP Medication on Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation Quality

Launched by THE CLEVELAND CLINIC · Aug 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how certain diabetes medications called GLP-1 and GIP agonists affect the quality of bowel preparation before a colonoscopy. Bowel preparation is the process of cleaning out your colon so doctors can get a clear view during the colonoscopy. The study wants to find out if these medications make bowel preparation less effective, and whether stopping or continuing a single dose of these drugs before the procedure changes the results or the risk of complications like stomach problems.

Adults 18 years and older who are already taking a stable dose of a GLP-1 or GIP agonist and are scheduled for a colonoscopy may be eligible to join. Participants will follow a specific bowel cleansing routine and may be asked to either hold or continue their medication before the procedure. The study will then compare the quality of bowel cleaning and any complications between these groups. This research could help doctors give better advice on managing these medications before colonoscopies.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult patient (Age 18 years or older)
• • Patient scheduled for outpatient screening, surveillance, or diagnostic colonoscopy
• • Using a GLP-1 or GIP agonist at a stable dose for at least one month
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to provide informed consent, e.g., dementia
• • Patient refuses the USMSTF recommended bowel cleansing regimen for patients with diabetes or obesity (split-dose 4 liters polyethylene glycol + 15 mg bisacodyl the afternoon before; low residue diet 3 days before colonoscopy; clear liquid diet the day before colonoscopy)
• * Risk factors for inadequate bowel preparation besides diabetes and obesity with a likelihood ratio of 1.6 or greater:
• • 1. Cirrhosis
• • 2. Parkinson's disease
• • 3. Dementia
• • 4. Tricyclic antidepressant use
• • 5. Opioid use
• • 6. Gastroparesis\* or suspected gastric outlet obstruction on pre-procedure imaging (\*defined based on a documented 4-hour solid phase gastric emptying study or prior history of retained gastric contents during upper endoscopy)
• • 7. Previous colorectal surgery
• • 8. Prior history of inadequate bowel preparation