PATIENT INFORMATION
GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide or tirzepatide
GLP-1-based medicines are used for diabetes and/or weight management. Examples include semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide and tirzepatide. Some are weekly injections, some are daily injections and some are tablets.
Why they matter for anaesthesia
They can slow stomach emptying, which matters because retained stomach contents may increase aspiration risk during general anaesthesia or deep sedation. This can happen even when you have followed normal fasting instructions.
How advice has changed
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.
What to tell the team
- The exact medicine and dose
- How often you take it and when you last took it
- Whether your dose has recently increased
- Whether you have nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation or early fullness
- Whether you take it for diabetes, weight management or both
Tell the team early
These medicines are often prescribed by a different doctor or bought for weight loss. Mention them at the first assessment, not just on the day, because the plan may start a day or more before surgery.
If you stop the medicine before surgery on your team’s advice and you have diabetes, your blood glucose may rise. Ask how it will be monitored.