Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Endocrine Surgery - Medication Guidelines Prior to Surgery
Cardiac medications (blood pressure medications): DO NOT take on the day of surgery:
- Benazepril (Lotensin)
- Bumetanide (Bumex)
- Candesartan (Atacand)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Eprosartan (Teveten)
- Fosinopril (Monopril)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
- Iosartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar)
- Irbesartan (Avapro)
- Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
- Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
- Olmesartan (Benicar)
- Perindopril (Aceon)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Spironolactone (Aldactone)
- Telmisartan (Micardis)
- Valsartan (Diovan)
Blood thinners: Please make sure you have discussed this with your physician or surgeon before stopping these medications.
- Aspirin – Stop taking 7 days before surgery
- Coumadin – Stop taking 5 days before surgery
- Heparin – Must be held for 12 hours prior to surgery
- Antiplatelet agents (Plavix, clopidogrel, ticlopidine) – Please follow your surgeon or cardiologist’s recommendations.
Diabetes medications:
Insulin – Patient with insulin pumps:
- Continue your basal rate ONLY
Patients without insulin pumps:
On the morning of surgery:
- Hold short acting insulin
- Pre-mixed insulin (eg. 70/30): give 1/3 of usual dose
- Lantus: give usual dose
Oral diabetic medications: do not take the morning of surgery
- Metformin
- Glyburide
- Glipizide
Other prescription medications:
- MAO inhibitors – do not take the day of surgery
- Premarin – do not take on the day of surgery
- Viagra or similar drugs – do not take 24 hours before surgery
Over-the-counter medications:
- Aspirin – stop taking 7 days before surgery
- NSAIDS (ibuprofen, Aleve, naproxen, Celebrex) – stop taking 7 days before surgery
- Iron – do not take on the day of surgery
- Herbal supplements and Vitamin E-containing multivitamins – stop taking 7 days prior to surgery