Medications and anaesthesia
In most instances you should continue to take any medications which have been prescribed for you, with a sip of water, regardless of whether you are fasting, but remember to let your anaesthetist and surgeon know. This is particularly important for those patients taking heart medications and blood pressure medications
Diabetes
If you are a diabetic, discuss a plan for managing your diabetes with your anaesthetist prior to surgery.
Blood thinning medications
Sometimes surgeons will ask you to stop aspirin and other blood thinning agents (clopidogrel, dabigatran, rivaroxaban or warfarin). However, it is sometimes important (eg in those with stents and artificial heart valves) to continue these medications or substitute with another medication. Please continue to take these medicines until you have discussed this with your anaesthetist, who may in some instances have to discuss your case with your GP and cardiologist.
Herbal medications
If you are taking any herbal medications including fish oils please stop these 7-10 days prior to your surgery. This is to ensure there is not interaction with anaesthetic drugs or unexplained bleeding issues during surgery.
