I take supplements or medications. What should I do before doing a Gut Health Test?

Here’s everything you need to know about when to stop taking supplements and medications before your Gut Health Test.

Before taking a stool test, it’s important to prepare properly to ensure you get the most accurate results.


We suggest the following guidelines to prepare for your Gut Health Test, but it’s important to check with your GP or healthcare provider before discontinuing any prescribed medications. 


Please do not make any changes to your medications without discussing with a doctor first. 


Medications


Antibiotics

We recommend not using antibiotics for 4 weeks before testing.


Motility medications

There are various types of motility medications, such as erythromycin.

We recommend not using these for 4 weeks before testing.


Antihelminthic

Antihelminthic medications include ivermectin and mebendazole.

We recommend not using these for 4 weeks before testing.


Antifungal medications

Antifungals include fluconazole, nystatin and amphotericin.

We recommend not using these for 4 weeks before testing.


Antiprotozoal

There are different kinds of antiprotozoals, including atorvaquone, aetronidazole and hydroxychloroquine.

We recommend not using these for 4 weeks before testing.


Alginate antacids

These types of antacids include Gaviscon and Peptac.

We recommend not to use these for 1 week before your stool test.


Aluminium and magnesium antacids

These types of antacids include Rennie and Gaviscon.

We recommend not using these for 3 to 7 days before testing.


Bulk-forming laxatives

These types of laxative include Fybogel.

We recommend not to use these for 3 to 7 days before testing.


Osmotic laxatives

These laxatives include Lactulose and Movicol.

We recommend not using these for 3 to 7 days before testing.


Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton Pump Inhibitors can affect the accuracy of the H pylori biomarker and should be stopped for 2 weeks prior to testing for accurate results.

However as PPIs are a prescription medication we don't ask you to stop taking this and any changes to your medications must only be made after consulting your GP.


Stimulant laxatives

These types of laxative include Senna, Bisacodyl and Dulcolax.

We recommend not using these for 3 to 7 days before testing.


Promotility medications

These medications include domperidone and metoclopramide.

We recommend not using these for 3 days before testing.



Supplements


Antimicrobials

We recommend not using these for 4 weeks before testing.


Manuka honey

We recommend not using this for 1 week before testing.


CBD/Cannabis oil

We recommend not using this for 1 week before testing.


Slippery elm

We recommend not using this for 3 days before testing.


Prokinetic

Including the supplement Motilpro.

We recommend not using this for 3 days before testing.


Aloe vera

We recommend not using this for 3 days before testing.


Probiotics 

These do not include food sources, for example, kefir, kimchi.

We recommend not using probiotics for 3 days before testing.


Glutamine

We recommend not using this for 2 days before testing.


Digestive enzymes

We recommend not using this for 24 hours before testing.

 

Colonoscopies


If you have recently had a colonoscopy, we recommend you wait at least 4 weeks before your stool test.


If you have any questions about your medication ahead of your Gut Health Test, please get in touch with your GP or healthcare practitioner.

If you have any questions about supplements ahead of your Gut Health Test, please contact us.