Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/7/2007

Question
Iam having a colonoscopy done Wed the 8th day of Aug and I am on the medication called subutex I was told that you could not take any type of narcartic while on this medication. What I would like to no is what can I take while Iam having this done so I want have to be in pain? I dont want to go into some type of with drawals ,and I dont want to be in pain either durning the colonoscopy. Please let me no what I can take or at least let me no so maybe I can pass it on to my doc and fill him in .                       Thank You,           Brent {scared]

Answer
Generally, for colonoscopy we use an anxiolytic (like Valium) and rarely use narcotics. You should definitely not be give narcotics. You need to tell the doctor what you are taking so he can adjust the dose of anxiolytic he gives since these drugs and subutex often work together to create central nervous system depression. It might be necessary for you to have the procedure in a hospital with an anesthesiologist who can better monitor you during the procedure.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston