OcBody.com logo

Medications, Drugs, Herbals

- NOT TO TAKE BEFORE SURGERY -

There are medications and herbals that should not be taken before surgery. The reasons vary from potential for bleeding to interference with anesthetic effects. Below is a partial list with minimal times to be off the drug before and after surgery. Of course, more involved operations may require you be off the drug longer. The effects these compounds may cause are subject to probability, dosage and interaction with other drugs. Garlic as a supplement is not the same as the garlic you get with a pasta dinner (or my friends I would have bled to death a long time ago). Take these suggestions with a grain of salt and ask your own surgeon before surgery.

Again, this is a partial list and is for your information only. Ask your own surgeon before you take any medication/ herbal prior to your surgery and don't stop taking a medication without your doctor knowing first. This is especially important when the blood thinning drugs are being taken to protect your heart and brain from heart attacks and strokes.


Drug/Supplement
Effect
Timing
Aspirin Decrease platelet function - bleeding 7-10 days prior and 1 week after
Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil Decrease platelet function - bleeding 5 days prior and 1 week after
Naproxen, Aleve Decrease platelet function - bleeding 5 days prior and 1 week after
Heparin, Lovenox Decreases clotting - bleeding debatable - check bleeding time when in doubt; Lovenox wears off more quickly
Clopidogrel, Plavix Decreases platelet function - bleeding debatable - discuss with your surgeon
Vitamin E, Marine Fatty Acids, Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements increase risk of bleeding 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Chondroitin increases risk of bleeding 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Echinacea reduces immunosuppressant effectiveness - may cause allergic reactions 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Ephedra (Ma Huang) affects cardiovascular function, may cause cardiomyopathy or thrombotic stroke 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Garlic increases risk of bleeding 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Glucosamine mimic human insulin and may artificially cause hypoglycemia during surgery 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Ginkgo increases risk of bleeding 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Ginseng may cause hypoglycemia and increases risk of bleeding 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Kava compounds anesthetic effect 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
St. John's Wort induces cytochrome enzymes, inhibiting effects of many surgical drugs 2 weeks prior and 1 week after
Valerian compounds anesthetic effect, may build tolerance to anesthesia 2 weeks prior and 1 week after

MAIN

© John Di Saia MD... an Orange County California Plastic Surgeon       John Di Saia MD