MEDICATIONS BEFORE SURGERY

 

If you are taking medicines, most medicines should be continued before an operation, but there are some important exceptions. It is important to cease some medicines prior to surgery.

 

The following medications need special attention:

 

Blood thinning Medications

 

Your surgeon, and sometimes the prescribing specialist such as your Cardiologist, should review your medication plan.

 

If the decision is made to stop the medication, the following rules apply:

 

  • Aspirin – take last dose 6 days before surgery
  • Clopidogrel – take last dose 6 days before surgery
  • Warfarin (may need daily replacement injections) – take last dose 6 days before surgery
  • NSAIDs (Nurofen, Voltaren, Indocid, Celebrex, Mobic, Naprosyn) – take last dose 6 days before surgery
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa) – take last dose 3 days before surgery if normal kidney function
  • Apixaban (Eliquis) – take last dose 3 before surgery if normal kidney function
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) – take last dose 3 days before surgery if normal kidney function
  • Herbal remedies – Fish/Krill oil, Garlic, Gingko, Glucosamine, Vitamins – take last dose 8 days before surgery

 

Diabetes or Weight-loss injections/medications

 

  • Important: Medications ending with …FLOZIN

Forxiga, Qtern, Xigduo XR, Steglatro, Steglujan, Segluromet, Jardiance, Jardiamet, Glyxambi – take last dose 3 days before surgery

 

  • Important: Weight‑loss or diabetes injections/Insulin – Contact me for further instructions

 

  • Other diabetic tablets – DO NOT take on the day of surgery

 

Blood Pressure/Heart/Diuretic Medications

 

  • Blood-pressure medications ending with …PRIL or …SARTAN – DO NOT take on the day of surgery. Bring it to the hospital.
  • Diuretics (water tablets) such as Frusemide – DO NOT take on the day of surgery. Bring it to the hospital.

 

You should continue to take your other medications up to and including the day of your surgery unless you are told not to.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me.  Please follow these instructions to avoid your surgery/procedure being delayed to another day.

 

Please note that there are hundreds of medications available.  This overview is of a general nature only addresses some of the common medications used.  Please consult your prescribing General Practitioner or Specialist for further advice.