If you’re taking medications like Wegovy (Semaglutide) or Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), planning carefully for medical procedures is important. These medications can slow the time it takes for food to leave your stomach, which may have implications during procedures requiring anaesthesia or sedation.

Before Surgery or Procedures

Discuss With Your Clinician:

• Stop weekly GLP-1 injections at least one week before any procedure involving general anaesthesia or sedation. This is to reduce the risk of food remaining in your stomach, which can be dangerous during surgery.
• Ideally, schedule the procedure on the same day you usually take your medication. This allows you to resume your next dose either later that day or within 24 hours post-procedure, if appropriate.

Day of Surgery

1. Fasting Guidelines:
   
   • Follow the fasting instructions from your surgical team carefully. This typically means no food or drink for several hours before the procedure.
2. Blood Sugar Monitoring:
   
   • If you have diabetes, your healthcare team will monitor your blood sugar levels before, during, and after the procedure to ensure they remain within a safe range.

After Surgery

1. Restarting Your Medication:
   
   • Only restart your GLP-1 injections when you are eating and drinking normally and have approval from your healthcare team.
   • Special considerations may apply if you have had gastrointestinal (GI) or bowel surgery—always discuss this with your surgeon or anaesthetist.
2. Monitor Side Effects:
   
   • After restarting, watch for common side effects like nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort. If these symptoms become severe or persistent, contact your clinician immediately or seek emergency help if necessary.
3. If There’s a Break in Treatment:
   
   • If you’ve stopped your medication for over a week, contact your Roczen clinician before resuming. They may recommend starting at a lower dose to reduce the risk of side effects.

If You Cannot Stop the Medication Before Surgery

• Speak with your anaesthetist in advance. They may need to take additional precautions to ensure your safety during the procedure.

Minor Medical or Dental Procedures

• For minor procedures under local anaesthesia (such as dental work), it’s generally safe to continue taking your medication.
• Always inform your healthcare provider about the medication you’re using.

Key Points to Remember

• Always discuss your medications with your surgical team well in advance of any procedure.
• Follow their advice on stopping or restarting GLP-1 receptor analogues.
• When restarting treatment, be mindful of potential side effects and seek help if needed.

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your Roczen clinician or healthcare provider for guidance.