PATIENT INFORMATION
Should I take my regular medicines before surgery?
Some regular medicines should be continued, some should be withheld for a period before surgery, and some need an individual plan. The answer depends on the medicine, why you take it, the operation, the type of anaesthesia and your other medical conditions.
Why there is no single rule
Stopping some medicines can be harmful. For example, missing heart, seizure, Parkinson’s or transplant medicines can cause serious problems. Continuing other medicines can also cause problems, such as bleeding, low blood sugar or low blood pressure during anaesthesia.
Do not stop an important prescription medicine simply because you are fasting. On the other hand, do not assume that every tablet or injection should be taken as usual.
How to get a clear plan
- Bring an accurate medication list to the pre-anaesthesia assessment.
- Ask for written instructions if possible, listing each medicine and what to do with it.
- Check the plan for the days before surgery as well as the morning of surgery. Some medicines need to be stopped several days in advance.
- Ask when to restart each medicine after surgery.
- If different doctors give you different instructions, ask them to agree on one plan.
Medicines that particularly need a plan
Do not start, stop, skip, change or restart a prescribed medicine solely because of this website. This is particularly important for anticoagulants/antiplatelets, insulin, anti-seizure medicines, steroids, transplant medicines and medicines prescribed after coronary stenting or for heart failure.