Medications to Avoid Before Surgery

The following medications should be avoided before major surgical procedures.  Do not ingest any brand of aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, or any of the following aspirin-containing medications for 14 days prior to surgery. Aspirin and aspirin-containing products may inhibit blood clotting and cause extra blood loss during and after surgery. If you need an aspirin-free fever reducer and pain reliever, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Some surgeons and anesthesiologists may make exceptions for any of the below medications. Please be sure to disclose EVERY medication and supplement to your surgeon and anesthesiologist.

A

Aches-N-Pains, Actifed, Acuprin, Addaprin, Adprin - B Tablets, Adult Analgesic Pain Relievers, Advil, AK Spore - HC, Alka Seltzer, All Arthritis Medicines, Allergy Relief Medicines (A.R.M.), Alpha Omega (fish oil), Aluprin, Aleve, Amigesic Capsules, Amitriptyline, Anacin, Anacin Arthritis/P, Ansaid Tablets (generic brand of Ansaid is Flurbiprofen), Anodynos Tablets, Analval, Anaprox, Anaprox-DS, Anaproxen, Anaproxen Anodynos, Ansaid, APAC Improved, APC, Argesic Tablets, Arthra-G, Arthralgen Tablets, Arthritis Pain Formula, Arthritis Strength Bufferin, Arthropan, Arthropan Liquid, As-caff, Ascodeen, Ascriptin, Ascriptin AID tablets, Ascriptin with Codeine Tablets, ALL ASCRIPTIN PRODUCTS, Aspir-lox, Asperi-mox, Aspirbuf, Aspercin, Aspergum, Aspirin (of any kind), Aspirin Suppositories, Aspirin with Codeine, ASpirTab, Asprimox Tablets, Asproject, A.S.A. Tablets, A.S.A. Enseals, Axotal, Azdone Tablets

B

B-A-C Tablets, Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Children's Aspirin Tablets, Bayer Children's Cold Tablets, Bayer Timed-Release Aspirin Tablets, Bayer Select Pain Formula, BC Powder/Tablets, Bilberry Tablets, Brufen, Buf Tab, Buff-A-Comp, Buff-A Comp No.3 Tablets with codeine, Buffaprin, Buffasal, Bufferin, Bufferin 37%, Bufferin Arth, Bufferin X/S Butalbit, Buffets II, Buffex, Buffinol, Buropion, Buropion HCL, Butazolidin

C

C-Advil Cama, Cama Arthritis Pain Reliever, Cama Inlay Tabs, CataFlam Tablets, Carisoprodol Compoud Tablets, Cayenne, Cephalgesic, Cheracol Tablets, Children's Advil Suspension, Children's Aspirin, Children's Motrin Suspension, Chro,mium, Chromium Picolinate, Claritin, Clinoril, Congespirin, Contac, Cope, Coricidin Tablets, Coricidin "D" Decongestant Tablets, Coricidin, Coricidin Demilets Tablets for Children, Coricidin Mediets Tablets for Children, Coumadin

D

Damason-P, Darvon, Darvon with ASA, Darvon Compound, Darvon Compound-65, Darvon w/Apspirin, Darvon-N with Apsirin, Dasin, Dipryridamole, Disalcid, Diurex, Doan's, Dolcn, Dolobid, Dolphirn #3 Tablets, Drinopehn, Dristan, Dristan Sinus, Duoprin-S Syrup, Duradyne Tablets

E

Vitamin E, E-aspirin, Easprin EC, Echinacea, Ecolrin, Ecotrin Tablets, Emagrin, Empirin, Empirin with Codeine, Emprazil, Endodan Tablets, Epromate Tablets, Equagesic, Equazine-M, Excedrin, , ExPrazi

F

Feldene, Fenoprofen Tablets, Feverfew, Fiogesic Tablets, Fioricett, Fiorinal, Fiorinal with Codeine, Florgen PF, Fluoxetin, Flurbiprofen Tablets, 4 Way Cold Tablets

G

garlic (allium sativum) tabs & do not eat garlic excessively (some say not at all - but if you accidentally get some or have a little garlic toast, I am sure it's okay, it's more for garlic tablets), Genaced, Genacote, Gelpirin Tablets, Genprin, Gensan, Ghemnisym, Gingko, Ginbko Biloba, Gennin, Ginger, Gingko, Ginkobiloba, GNP aspirin, Goody's Headache Powder, Goody-s Extra Strength

H

Halfprin Tablets, Haltran, Heparin, Hydroxycut

I

IBU, IBU-Tab, Ibuprofen, Ibuprin, Ibuprohm, Indocin, Indochron E-R Capsules , Indomethacin Caspules, Indomethacin Suspension, Infantol Pill, Isollyl Improved Tablets & Capsules

K

Ketoprofen Capsules

L

Lanorinal, Licorice Root, Lodine, Lortab ASA

M

MAO inhibitors (although many patients undergo surgery while still on their MAO inhibitors, please alert your anesthesiologist), Magan, Magnaprin, Magnasprin, Magsal, Marnal, Marthritic Tablets, Maximum Bayer Aspirin, Measurin, Meclomen, MecloFenamate Capsules, Medigistic-Plus, Medipren, Meditren, Melatonin, Menadol, Meprogesic Q, Micraninin, Midol/Midol 200, Midol Original, Midol PMS, Mobidin, Moblgesic, Momentum Back Ache Formula, Monogesic, Motrin, Motrin IB, Multi-Vitamin

N

Nalfon, Nardil, Nardilzine, Naprosyn, Neomycin, Neogesic, Norgesic, Norgesic Forte, Norwich Extra Strength Aspirin, Nov-naproxen, Nuprin, NyQuil/NyQuil P.M.

O

Orphenagesic, Orphenagesic Forte, Orudis, Oruvail Capsules, Oxycodine, Oxycodone

P

P-A-C, Pabalate-SF, Pabrin, Pacaps, Pain Reliever Tablets, Pamprin-IB, Panalgesic, Panodynes, Papaya, PediaProfen, Pedrazil, Percodan, Percodan Demi Tabs, Persantin, Persisrin, Persistin, PetoBismol, Phenaphen, Phenetron Compound, Piroxicam Capsules, Polymyxin, Ponstel Capsules, Presalin, Propoxyphene Compound, Propoxyphene Napsylate with Aspirin, Prozac

Q

Quagesic, Quiet World Analgesic (sleeping aid), Quinine

R

Relafen Tablets, Rexolate, Rhinex, Robaxin, Robasisal, Roxiprin Tablets, Rufin, Robaxisal

S

S-A-C, Salabuff, Salatin. Saleto, Saleto 200, Saleto-400,600,800 Tablets, Salflex, Salicylamide, Salocol, Salsalate, Salsitab, Serzone, Sign Off Sinus Tablets, Sine Aid, Sine Off, SK-65 Compound Capsules, Soma Compound, Soma Compound with Codeine, St. John's Wort, St. Josephs Aspirin, St. Joseph Cold Tablets (for children), Stanback Analgesic, Stanback Powder, Sudafed, Sulindac Tablets, Supac, Synalogos Capsules, Synalgos-DC Capsules

T

Talwin Compound, Tenol-Plus, Tolectin 200,600 Tablets, Tolectin DS Capsules, Tolmetin Tablets/Capsules, Toradol Injection/Tablets, Tr-Pain Tablets, Trilisate Tablets and Liquid, Trendar, Trental, Triaminicin Tablets, Tricosal tablets, Tri-Pain, Trigesic, Trilisate, Tusal

U

Ultrapin, Unipro, Ursinos Inlay Tablets

V

Valesin, Valtrex, Vanquish, Verin, Viro-Med Tablets, Vivarin, Voltaren

W

Warafin (Coumadin), Wesprin Buffered

Y

Yohimbe

Z

Zactrin, Zorprin, Zyban

Inform your doctor of any medications or supplements you take. Even natural supplements have their risks. Read below...

Other Supplements and Herbal Remedies Not to Ingest & Why...

Many natural herbal supplements are contraindicated with anesthesia or surgery, despite the fact that they are plant-based and over the counter.

• Vitamin E has anti-platelet properties and inhibits vital clot formation. Please cease consuming Vitamin E at least 2-3 weeks prior to any surgery and for 2-3 weeks afterwards.
• Garlic (allium sativum) tablets, Ginger, Alfalfa, Cayenne, Papaya, Feverfew, Chamomile, Dong Quai root, Willow bark, Goldenseal, Guarana, Horse Chestnut and Bilberry Tablets/Supplements have anti-platelet properties and may inhibit vital clot formation. These medications are normally taken to remedy edema (fluid retention).
• Gingko, Gingko Biloba, & Selenium are powerful anti-coagulants. They are considered to be 3 times stronger than Vitamin E.
• Ginseng may cause rapid heartbeat/and or high blood pressure in some individuals as well as coagulation disruption.
• St. John's Wort, Yohimbe, ("the natural Viagra") and Licorice root have a mild monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory effect. (*note: some well known and popular anti-depressants are MAO inhibitors; disclose any and all medications you are taking - your life may depend on it!)
• Melatonin may decrease the amount of anesthesia needed for surgery.
• Kava Kava, Hawthorn, Lemon verbena, Muwort, Lavender and Valerian/Valerian Root, taken to promote relaxation and sleep, have tranquilizing properties and should not be combined with other sedative agents. WARNING! Tell your anesthesiologist/surgeon if you take either one of these!
• Echinacea may have a severe impact on the liver when general anesthesia is used. Please advise your surgeon of all medications and supplements and alert her to the possible effects of herbal supplements and remedies. She may not be aware of the contraindications. It also has some coagulation disruption properties.
• Ma Huang (a.k.a. Ephedra), which is used by many for weight loss and is a major component of most weight loss supplements, has been associated with more than 800 adverse health effects including DEATH. It is an amphetamine-like compound with the potential for stimulating the central nervous system and heart.
  WARNING! We strongly discourage the use of this supplement in any form. "In large doses, ephedrine causes nervousness, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, palpitations, skin flushing, tingling, and vomiting (Lawrence Review, 1989). The Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs notes that "The principal adverse effects of ephedrine are CNS stimulation, nausea, tremors, tachycardia [rapid heartbeat], and urinary retention." (APhA 1986).
• Gotu Kola has a stimulant effect as well.
• Ackee fruit, as well as Alfalfa, Aloe, Argimony, Barley, Bitter melon, Burdock root, Carrot oil, Chromium, Coriander, Dandelion root, Devil's club, Eucalyptus, Fenugreek seeds, Fo-ti, large amounts of natural Garlic, Ginseng, Grape seed, Guayusa, Gmena, Juniper, Nem seed oil, large amounts of Onions, Periwinkle, Yellow root alter the blood glucose level.

Special Medication Alerts!

If you are on anti-depressants, please advise your doctor. Some monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, also known as MAOIs, may cause severe problems, especially when general anesthesia is administered. Effects such as very low blood pressure may occur during surgery. This could be quite dangerous in the operating room if your doctor is unaware of your medication usage. If you advise your doctor/anesthesiologist, he or she can make adjustments for your anesthesia, or at least will watch for the slightest decrease in heart, blood pressure or breathing rate.

• MAOI medications may include: Isocarboxazid, Marplan, phenelzine (Nardil, Nardelzine) tranylcypromine (Parnate, Sicoton), Deprenyl, selegiline hydrochloride, 5 HTP, Amitriptyline, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Buropion, Buropion HCL, Fluoxetin, EFFEXOR XR, etc.. They are used for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, essential hypertension (pargyline), chronic pain syndromes, and migraine headaches. They work by inhibiting nerve transmissions in the brain that may cause depression. Tranylcypromine and phenelzine account for over 90% of all MAO inhibitors currently prescribed. It is reported that drug interactions can occur even weeks after discontinued use of an MAOI. Therefore, in patients undergoing general anesthesia, cessation of usage is normally instructed several weeks prior to surgery to avoid possible cardiovascular effects. However, as said before, adjustments can be made.
• Diet Pills, Fat Loss Supplements & Stackers: Stop taking these pills at least 2 to 3 weeks before surgery. Many of these pills contain anticoagulants and can seriously impede your body’s ability to clot sufficiently.