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