Medications to avoid before surgery
- Many medications have an effect on bleeding or on the anaesthesia that is given during surgery
- It is important that you review all medications and supplements with your doctor or nurse before any procedure is performed
- This includes all medications, prescription or over the counter, as well as any herbal supplements or vitamins
- Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and vitamin E can all cause bleeding problems by working on platelets – platelets are blood cells that form clots to prevent bleeding
- Taking these medications can increase your risk of bleeding which is especially important during or after an operation
Medications that affect bleeding
If you are having an operation, stop taking:
- Aspirin, products that have aspirin in them, NSAIDS and vitamin E, 10 days before the operation
- Warfarin, Plavix or other blood thinners – you will need special instructions before surgery
- Check with your doctor if you are taking COX-2 inhibitors (eg. Celebrex)
- Many medications for colds, flu, headaches and other ailments contain aspirin
- It is important to read the labels for Acetylsalicylic acid which is the name for aspirin
- If you are taking aspirin, an NSAID, or a COX-2 inhibitor, such as Celebrex please tell your doctor or nurse
Herbs and supplement products that may affect bleeding
(Do not take these for 2 weeks prior to surgery)
- Bilberry Fruit
- Cayenne
- Feverfew
- Fish Oil
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Ginseng
- Ginko Biloba
- St John’s Wort
Medications to take instead
- In general, Panadol (paracetamol) is a medication that can be taken before surgery
- You can take Panadol and products that contain it
- They do not affect your platelets and will not increase your chance of bleeding
- However, do not take more than 4 grams of Panadol in one day; very high doses can cause liver damage
Use this information as a reference to guide you in taking the proper medicine during your care and consult your doctor or nurse about any concerns
