Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP)

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram)

How To Prepare

Do not eat or drink for 8 hours before having the test.

Tell your doctor if you:

• Have hay fever, hives, food or medication allergies, or asthma.
• Are allergic to shellfish (shrimp, scallops, lobster), the iodine used in the contrast material for X-ray tests, or any other substance that contains iodine.
• Have had a digestive tract study that used barium, such as a barium enema, within the last week.
• Are taking blood-thinning medicines, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

You will be asked to empty your bladder and remove any dentures, jewelry, or contact lenses before having an ERCP.

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Author:	Bets Davis, MFA	Last Updated: April 29, 2009
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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