An open-label trial of L-glucose as a colon-cleansing agent before colonoscopy.
BACKGROUND
The high volume and poor palatability of standard colon cleansers remain obstacles to colonoscopy for many patients. Significant electrolyte disturbances and fluid balance alterations may occur with available agents. L-glucose, the stereoisomer of D-glucose, has laxative effects that make it potentially useful as a colon-cleansing agent. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of L-glucose as a bowel cleanser before colonoscopy.


METHODS
Thirty healthy individuals (age range 34-70 years) scheduled to undergo outpatient colonoscopy were given 24 g of L-glucose in 8 ounces of water to cleanse the colon. Nonblinded endoscopists rated the quality of the preparation based on established criteria. Laboratory studies were monitored before and after administration of the L-glucose and on the day after colonoscopy; adverse clinical events were also monitored.


RESULTS
L-glucose administration resulted in excellent or good preparations in 80% (24/30) of the patients and fair or poor preparations in 20%. Average water consumption was 48 ounces. No adverse event occurred, and no significant laboratory test abnormalities were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Eighty percent of patients who prepared for colonoscopy by ingestion of L-glucose had good or excellent preparations. The L-glucose preparation was palatable, and its efficacy and safety appear equivalent to currently available colon-cleansing agents.
Raymer
Geoffrey S
GS
Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Penn State Clinical Trials Office, Hershey 17033, USA.
Hartman
Donald E
DE
Rowe
William A
WA
Werkman
Robert F
RF
Koch
Kenneth L
KL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*
D003902:Detergents; D005947:Glucose