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Bringing your medications into hospital

Information about your medications and surgery

It is important to fully inform our team about all of the medications you are taking before your surgery, including prescriptions, vitamins, minerals, herbs, drugs, or any other supplements.

Before your surgery
The medications you take can affect the way that other medications work, including medications used for anaesthesia and pain relief.

Before your surgery, there may be some medications you must stop taking, however this MUST be undertaken in consultation with your doctor.


Medication Management Plan
You must discuss your usual medications with your doctor in the lead up to admission; and they will advise if there are any medications that need to be withheld or ceased.

Ideally, you should provide a written Medication Management Plan when you come into hospital so that any areas that require clarification can be deferred back to the doctor. 


Medications to discuss with your Doctor
Medications commonly known as “blood thinners” may need to be stopped as they may lead to more than usual bleeding during and after surgery. If you are taking any of these medications, please make sure you advise your doctor/surgeon and that you are aware of whether you need to stop them and if so, when you need to stop them.

Other medications you must discuss with your doctor are diabetes medications and blood pressure and cardiac medications. Due to the period that you fast from food and fluid there may be changes that they need to make. We also recommend you stop taking any herbal medicines and vitamins 14 days prior to surgery if possible.

We strongly recommend you do not drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use recreational drugs for at least 24 hours prior to surgery.


After your surgery
Your normal medications (including any herbal medications and vitamins) can usually be restarted after surgery. 

Before you go home from hospital, make sure you clarify with your doctor as to when you are able to safely restart these medications.

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Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding with any procedure.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding with any procedure.