Is It Okay To Drink Water Before CT Scan?

Posted on Thu, 7 Mar 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 Answered on

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I have to have a ct scan at 10 this morning..will it hurt if I drink some water this morning..im so thrusty

Answered by Dr. Polash Sannigrahi (1 hour later)

Hello XXXXXXX,

Thanks for your query.

Drinking small sips of water to quench your thirst does not have any harmful effect.
In fact, drinking of plain water is advised before a CT scan to maintain adequate hydration.
Because sometimes CT scans involve injection of a contrast agent, or "dye" to visualize certain structures in the body, to make a better diagnosis.
These contrast agents are filtered by kidneys, and passed out in the urine.
Drinking of small sips of water maintains hydration & reduce any risk of damaging the kidneys.

So, you can have small sips of water to quench your thirst.
But avoid caffeinated drinks & please do not eat solid foods for four hours prior to your CT scan.

Wishing you a good health.
Let me know if I need to clarify further.
Thanks & take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan