Doctors are now cautioning people against taking Ozempic and other similar drugs, called GLP-1 agonists, before undergoing surgery or a procedure that requires them to be sedated[1][3][5]. The new guidance was issued after reports from medical literature and anesthesia leaders about people who fasted but still vomited either going to sleep or waking up from anesthesia[1]. This was very concerning and something that needed to be addressed and communicated to the public[1].
GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, can control blood sugar for people with diabetes and can slow down how long food stays in the belly, helping people who want to lose weight feel full longer[2]. However, these drugs can delay stomach emptying, which can decrease hunger and reduce the amount of food people eat, a side effect that has made the treatments wildly popular as weight loss medications[8].
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) suggests withholding GLP-1 agonists before elective surgery to reduce the risk of complications associated with anesthesia in adults and children[9]. According to ASA’s interim guidance, people taking GLP-1 drugs on a daily basis should skip treatment the day of the surgery, and those taking the drug weekly should stop treatment a week before the scheduled surgery[8][9]. If patients have nausea on the day of surgery, physicians should reschedule the procedure[8].
It is not clear how long before planned surgery you should stop taking the drug to be safe[2]. Therefore, it is important to consult with your doctor about any treatments that could be used in the interim before surgery[8].
If you are taking Ozempic or other GLP-1 agonists for type 2 diabetes or weight loss, it is important to follow the ASA’s guidance and withhold the medication before elective surgery to reduce the risk of complications associated with anesthesia[1][3][5][8][9].
Citations:
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/Health/can-i-take-ozempic-before-surgery/story?id=101355578
[2] https://www.webmd.com/obesity/news/20230623/should-you-stop-taking-ozempic-before-surgery
[3] https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/30/stop-taking-ozempic-wegovy-before-surgery-doctors.html
[4] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/993402
[5] https://www.statnews.com/2023/06/29/ozempic-surgery-anesthesiologist-guidance/
[6] https://www.health.com/taking-ozempic-wegovy-before-surgery-dangerous-7558744
[7] https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-07-03/taking-ozempic-wegovy-stop-before-surgery-anesthesiologists-say
[8] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/hold-ozempic-before-surgery-us-doctors-say-2023-06-29/
[9] https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2023/06/patients-taking-popular-medications-for-diabetes-and-weight-loss-should-stop-before-elective-surgery
[10] https://support.google.com/websearch?p=medical_conditions&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIsf6uqaSAAxUFs4QIHfpFBkoQ79AEegQICBAJ
