Medications & Supplements to Avoid before surgery
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Medications & Supplements to Avoid before surgery
Medications and Supplements to Avoid Before Facial Plastic Surgery
We require that all patients scheduled for elective facial plastic surgery STOP all prescription blood thinner medication, aspirin-containing medications, and NSAIDs at least two weeks prior to surgery. If you are required to take blood thinner medications for your heart, brain, or blood vessels, please discuss this with Dr. Brandt. Together with your treating physician, Dr. Brandt will determine if stopping your blood thinner medications is safe.
What medications should I stop prior to surgery?
We require that all patients scheduled for elective facial plastic surgery STOP all prescription blood thinner medication, aspirin-containing medications, and NSAIDs at least two weeks prior to surgery. If you are required to take blood thinner medications for your heart, brain, or blood vessels, please discuss this with Dr. Brandt. Together with your treating physician, Dr. Brandt will determine if stopping your blood thinner medications is safe.
Why am I required to stop these medications?
Blood-thinning medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC), significantly increase the risk of bleeding complications following elective surgery. Our practice, which is entirely focused on elective surgery, will schedule your procedure based on your ability to discontinue all blood-thinning medications. Generally, if you have recently used blood-thinning medications, it may prevent you from undergoing elective facial procedures due to the heightened risk of bleeding complications.
What prescription medications must I stop prior to surgery?
Common Prescription Blood Thinner Medications to discontinue include:
- Aggrenox
- Coumadin (Warfarin)
- Dalteparin
- Eliquis
- Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- Heparin
- Plavix
- Pradaxa
- Ticlopidine
- Xarelto
What other OTC products contain aspirin?
Frequently encountered products that contain aspirin include:
- ASA
- Aspirin
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Anacin
- Alka-Seltzer
- Aspergum
- Bayer products
- Bufferin
- Ecotrin
- Empirin
What are NSAIDs, and should I avoid them prior to surgery?
NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are over-the-counter medications commonly used to alleviate pain and inflammation. It is important to avoid NSAIDs for at least two weeks before your surgery date.
Frequently encountered products that contain NSAIDs include:
- Advil
- Aleve
- Diclofenac
- Dristan
- Etodolac
- Fenoprofen
- Ibuprofen
- Indocin
- Indomethacin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Meloxicam
- Midol
- Mobic
- Motrin
- Naprosyn
- Naproxen
- Orudis
- Piroxicam
- Salsalate
- Sulindac
- Toradol
- Voltaren
- among others
What about herbals? Are herbs and supplements safe to take before surgery?
Many herbs and supplements can exacerbate bruising and increase the risk of bleeding complications. It is recommended to stop ALL herbs and supplements before surgery, especially those associated with the most severe bleeding and bruising risks.
Common Herbals and Supplements to avoid include:
- CoQ10
- Ephedra
- Feverfew
- Fish Oil
- Green tea
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Ginseng
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Wort
- Kava Kava
- Valerian
- Vitamin C (more than 1000 mg per day)
- Vitamin E
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