Medications to Avoid Before Surgery
Some medications contain aspirin and/or have effects that may cause more bleeding and bruising. The following should be avoided for at least 10-14 days before AND after surgery:
A.S.A.
Advil Aleve
Alka‐Seltzer
Anacin
Anaprox
Ansaid
Argesic
Arthritis pain formula
Arthropan
Liquid Ascriptin
Asperbuf
Aspergum
Aspirin (all brands)
Atromid
B.C. Tablets & Powder
Bayer Children ’s Cold
Buff‐A Comp
Buff‐Tabs
Bufferin
Buffets II
Buffinol
Butazolidin
Caffergot
Cama Arthritis Pain
Carisoprodol (Soma)
Celebrex
Clinoril
Cope Tablets
Darvon
Disalcid
Dolobid
Doloprin
Easprin
Ecotrin
Emprin
Endep
Equagesic Tablets
Etrafon
Excedrin
Feldene
Fiorinal
Flexeril
Gelpirin
Gemnisyn Ibuprofen (all types)
Indocin
Indomethacin
Lanorinal
Lioresal
Magan
Magsal
Marnal
Marplan
Medomen
Methocarbamol w ASA
Micrainin
Midol
Mobidin
Mobigesic
Momentum
Motrin
Nalfon
Naprosyn
Naproxen
Nardil
Nicobid
Norgesic
Orudis
Nuprin
Pabalate‐SF
Pamelor
Parnate
Pepto‐Bismol
Persantine
Phenteramine
Phenylbutzone
Percodan
Ponstel
Robaxisal
Rufen
Saleto
Salocol
Sine‐Aid/
Sine‐Off/
Sinutab
SK‐65 Compound
St. Joseph ’s Cold Tab
Sulindac
Synalgos
Tagamet
Talwin
Compound
Tenuate Dospan
Tolectin
Toradol
Triamincin
Trigesic
Trilisate Tablets/Liquid
Uracel
Uracel
Vanquish
Verin
Vicoprofen
Vioxx
Voltaren
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an acceptable alternative to the above.
However, use is cautioned if you are already taking a narcotic that contains acetaminophen.
** NICOTINE PRODUCTS: Nicotine reduces the blood flow to the skin and can impair wound healing and increase the risk of complications. This includes products for smoking cessation. It ’s NOT about inhalation, it ’s about nicotine in the bloodstream. All Nicotine-containing products must be avoided for at 4 weeks prior to surgery and 4 weeks after. Failure to avoid smoking or nicotine before surgery may result in cancellation of surgery.
Avoid:
Cigarettes, Cigars, Hookah, E-cigarettes, Vapor products Nicotine Gum, Nicotine Patches, chewing tobacco
**HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (ALL TYPES INCLUDING “BIOIDENTICAL”)– all can cause blood clots in the legs which may lead to fatal pulmonary embolism
-must be stopped a minimum of 1 week before surgery and 1 week after surgery
**BIRTH CONTROL PILLS– all can cause blood clots in the legs which may lead to fatal pulmonary embolism
-must be stopped a minimum of 1 week before surgery and 1 week after surgery
-you will need to use another form of contraception
VITAMINS/HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS: These can cause increased bleeding and may affect surgical outcome and safety. The following should be avoided for at least 10 days before and 10 days after surgery:
Allium cepa
Bilberry
Black Cohosh
Bromelain
Cayenne
Chondroitin sulfate
Dong Quai
Echinacea
Ephedra
Feverfew
Flaxseed
Garlic supplements
Ginger
Ginko biloba
Ginseng
Glucosamine
Goldenseal
Hawthorne
Kava Kava
Licorice root
Ma Huang
Melatonin
Papain
Red Clover
St. John ’s Wort
Turmeric root
Valerian
Vitamin C (more than 2000 mg daily)
Vitamin E (more than 400mg daily)
Yarrow
Yohimbe
Fish Oils (Omega‐3)
DIET PILLS: Patients having surgery must discontinue any diet pills a minimum of 2 weeks prior to surgery.
You may not resume until you are healed. This includes but is not limited to: Phenetamine, Reduz, Ephedra (any type), HCG, Isagenix, Prescription diet pills, Over‐the‐counter Non‐ Prescription Diet Pills