Medications

Prescription and Over the Counter Drug Interactions
Herbal Medicine Interactions

What Not To Take Prior to Your Surgical Procedure
Many prescription medications, over the counter medications, and herbal medicines can interact with the anesthesia used during surgery or promote bleeding during and after surgery. Therefore, it is extremely important that you tell your doctor about any medications you are currently taking or occasionally take. Depending on your condition, the medicine may be discontinued or the anesthesia you are given may be adjusted to accommodate the type of medicine you are taking and its potential effects.

Prescription and Over the Counter Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor if you use prescription or over the counter medications to treat any of the following conditions. This list is for reference only. Talk specifically with your doctor about any medications you take and do not stop taking a prescribed medication without discussing it with your doctor first.

• Blood clots
• Depression
• Infection
• Ulcers
• Pain relief
• Insomnia
• High blood pressure
• Immunosuppression
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Irregular heartbeat
• Epilepsy
• Tuberculosis

Herbal Medication Interactions
Many herbal medications can be potentially dangerous when taken around the time of your surgery because they can interact with anesthesia and increase bleeding, blood pressure, or heart rate. It is extremely important to inform your doctor of any herbal medications that you take either regularly or occasionally.

Tell your doctor if you take any of the following herbal medications. This list is for reference only. Talk specifically with your doctor about any herbal medications you take.

• Echinacea
• Ephedra or ma-Huang
• Feverfew
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginko
• Ginseng
• Goldenseed
• Kava-kava
• Licorice
• Valerian
• Vitamin E