Diana K. Lee, MD

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Medications - Important Instructions

Immunosuppressant Medications or Steroids

Some may be continued through surgery and others need to be held for a period of time before and after surgery. Please notify your surgeon to discuss a specific plan for you.

Blood Thinners

Different blood thinners require different timing for stopping before surgery:

• Eliquis or Xarelto – Stop taking for 3 days before surgery
• Warfarin (Coumadin) – Stop taking for 5 days before surgery
• Aspirin – Stop taking for 7 days before surgery
• Plavix – Stop taking for 7 days before surgery

GLP-1 Medications for Diabetes or Weight Loss

• If you take any of these medications on a daily basis, skip your dose on the day of surgery
• If you take any of these medications on a weekly basis, skip your dose 1 week before surgery

GLP-1 Medications Include:

• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Byetta (exenatide)
• Bydureon BCise (exenatide)
• Victoza (liraglutide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Xultophy (liraglutide)
• Soliqua (lixisenatide)
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Rybelsus (semaglutide)
• Wegovy (semaglutide)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
• Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Medications like Motrin, Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen) – Stop taking for 7 days before surgery

Vitamins and Supplements

Stop taking all vitamins and supplements for 7 days before surgery

Skin Preparation and Nasal Decolonization

The most common source of infection is from bacteria that are normally found on your skin, so it is important to prepare your skin before surgery to help minimize this risk.

Hibiclens Washes – Start 5 Days Before Surgery

Shower daily for 5 days before surgery and on the morning of surgery. Use a clean washcloth to apply Hibiclens soap to your entire body below the neck. Leave the soap on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing.

Nasal Decolonization – Start 5 Days Before Surgery

Mupirocin ointment will be prescribed at your preoperative appointment. Apply a pea-sized amount of ointment inside each nostril, then press your nostrils together and rub for about one minute. Repeat this process twice per day for 5 days before surgery.