Aspirin
Aspirin and aspirin-containing products must be stopped 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. Some common examples:
- Anacin
- Alka Seltzer
- Bufferin
- Fiorinal
- Ecotrin
- Excedrin
- Pepto Bismol
This is not a complete list. There are many other products on the market that contain aspirin. If you have any questions about the medications you take, please check with your physician or pharmacist.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
Your surgeon will have special instructions for you regarding the use of anti-inflammatory medications before and after surgery. Your surgery scheduler will provide you with instructions specific to your surgery at the time of scheduling.
If you have a medical condition that requires the use of one of these medications and do not feel you can stop taking it for 2 weeks, please contact your surgeon for advice.
Blood thinners
Special arrangements will need to be made for patients taking Coumadin,Warfarin, Heparin, Plavix and other blood thinners. It is important that you inform your surgeon or the surgery scheduler if you are taking one of these medications.
Herbal supplements
The FDA does not regulate herbal products for safety in the same way they regulate medications. There have been many documented cases of bad interactions between herbals products and anesthetic medications; because of this, our anesthesiologists require all herbal supplements be stopped 2 full weeks before surgery. A multi-vitamin is allowed as long as it does not contain herbals products. If you have questions, please read the product label or check with the pharmacist. Herbal teas are allowed.
No other prescription medications should be stopped without the advice and consent of your physician.
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