Make a plan for your medications.


Be sure to tell us about any medications you’re taking as there are certain ones you should stop taking before surgery. Talk with your doctor to make a plan for medications before, during and after surgery. Read through the guidelines below so you know which ones to avoid and which are safe to take before surgery.

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Before Surgery

Before your procedure, be sure to fill prescriptions for post-surgery medications. Here are a few guidelines about medications you should and shouldn’t take before surgery.

What medications should you continue to take before surgery?

  • If you’re taking beta blockers for high blood pressure, it’s important that you continue to take this medication on the day of your surgery and throughout your stay with us. Stopping this medication suddenly can cause a dangerous spike in your blood pressure and heart rate, which might lead to a heart attack. Common beta blocker medications include:
    • Betapace (sotalol)
    • Corgard (nadolol)
    • Inderal (propranolol)
    • Lopressor (metoprolol)
    • Normodyne (labetalol)
    • Tenormin (atenolol)
    • Toprol (metoprolol)
    • Trandate (labetalol)
    • Zebeta (bisoprolol)
  • Metformin (Glucophage), used to help control diabetes and high blood sugar, can also be taken on the day of your surgery.

What medications should you stop taking before surgery?

  • ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (typically used to treat high blood pressure) should be stopped at least 24 hours before surgery. These medications might affect the control of your blood pressure while under general anesthesia. Common medications include:
    • Accupril (quinapril)
    • Aceon (perindopril)
    • Altrace (ramipril)
    • Atacand (candesartan)
    • Avapro (irbesartan)
    • Benicar (olmesartan)
    • Capoten (captopril)
    • Cozaar (losartan)
    • Diovan (valsartan)
    • Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan)
    • Lotensin (benazepril)
    • Mavik (trandolapril)
    • Miscardis (telmisartan)
    • Monopril (fosinopril)
    • Prinivil (lisinipril)
    • Teveten (eprosartan)
    • Univasc (moexipril)
    • Vasotec (enalapril)
    • Zestril (lisinopril)
  • Aspirin and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAIDs) commonly used for pain relief, such as Ibuprofen (Advil) or Naprosyn, should be stopped as prescribed by your doctor. This medication might cause increased blood loss during surgery.
  • Plavix, Coumadin and Aggrenox, which are commonly used to prevent blood clots, should be stopped as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Phentermine, Qsymia or Conclave, prescribed for weight loss, should be stopped at least 7 days before surgery.
  • Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, commonly used to treat depression, should be stopped at least 14 days before surgery. These medications could interact with medications and cause a stroke or heart attack.

Medication on the day of surgery.

Bring all medications you’re taking — both prescription and over-the-counter — with you. It helps if the medicines are in the original bottles.

If your doctor advises you to take medication before surgery, please let the nurse know which medicines you took and what time you took them. Tell your SurgiCenter health care team if you’re allergic or have side effects to certain medications.

Preparing for your surgery.

Learn more about what to do before your surgery including what to bring, what to wear and what you can eat and drink.