PATIENT INFORMATION
GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide or tirzepatide
GLP-1-based medicines are used for diabetes and/or weight management. They can slow stomach emptying, which matters because retained stomach contents may increase aspiration risk during general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
Advice has changed as evidence has developed. Current multi-society guidance and the 2026 ADA Standards favour an individual approach rather than automatically stopping the medicine for every patient. People at low risk of delayed stomach emptying may often continue treatment. Higher-risk situations include significant gastrointestinal symptoms, recent dose escalation, higher doses and other conditions that delay gastric emptying. In higher-risk patients, the team may use measures such as a 24-hour liquid diet, gastric ultrasound, a modified anaesthesia plan, or occasionally delay the procedure.
Tell the team the exact medicine, dose, how often you take it, when you last took it, whether your dose has recently increased, and whether you have nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation or early fullness.