What should I do about any medication that I am taking?
Bring all your medication with you to hospital in the bottles provided by your pharmacist. It is important that you continue to take your medication as prescribed by your GP even if you are to be starved. You may have a sip of water before your anaesthetic to aid swallowing. Individual advice will be given to patients on antidiabetics, anticoagulants or MAO inhibitors.
The following drugs should be stopped before major surgery:
- Oral contraceptives (4 weeks before and alternative precautions taken)
- Lithium (2 days before surgery)
- Anti-diabetic drugs should be stopped on the day of the procedure if you are fasting. Individual instructions will be given to diabetics by the anaesthetist.