Sufferers who’re taking GLP-1 medicines corresponding to Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others may face problems throughout surgical procedure, latest analysis has proven.
In a single research led by UTHealth Houston, greater than half of sufferers taking GLP-1s had “significant gastric contents” earlier than going into surgical procedure, even when they’d adopted pre-op fasting protocols, in response to a press launch on the college’s web site.
This might result in a probably life-threatening situation referred to as pulmonary aspiration, when meals or liquid is inhaled into the lungs.
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GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists are generally prescribed to sufferers with kind 2 diabetes (to stabilize blood glucose ranges) or weight problems (to help with weight reduction).
“These medications slow down digestion, which means food stays in the stomach longer,” stated Dr. Alfred Bonati, the founding father of the Bonati Backbone Institute in Florida.
Sufferers who’re taking GLP-1 medicines corresponding to Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others may face problems throughout surgical procedure, latest analysis has proven. (iStock; Getty Photographs)
Pulmonary aspiration may cause extreme lung harm, infections and even dying, Bonati warned.
“General anesthesia can also cause nausea, and the slowed digestion from weight-loss meds can exacerbate this, leading to a higher risk of vomiting during surgery,” he stated.
“These medications slow down digestion, which means food stays in the stomach longer.”
Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon and part chief at St. Mary’s Medical Middle in Florida, at all times advises his sufferers who’re taking GLP-1 agonists to cease the remedy no less than one week earlier than a surgical process, he stated.
Along with aspiration, Osborn warned of the elevated threat of postoperative ileus, a dysfunction of the intestines after surgical procedure.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists are generally prescribed to sufferers with kind 2 diabetes, to stabilize blood glucose ranges — or sufferers with weight problems, to help with weight reduction. (iStock)
“This could predispose patients to significant problems, including bowel ischemia (a rare circulatory condition that occurs when blood flow to the intestines is reduced),” he informed Fox Information Digital.
Therapeutic is a secondary concern amongst sufferers taking GLP-1s, in response to Osborn.
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“Those following a hypocaloric diet, as is the case with patients on GLP-1 agonists, may potentially inhibit healing and recovery from surgery, which requires a caloric surplus, particularly from protein-laden foods,” he stated.
Correct diet is essential for tissue restoration, Osborn stated.
Correct diet is important to therapeutic after surgical procedure, a physician stated. (iStock)
“By inducing a relative state of malnutrition, these medications can be problematic in perioperative patients.”
Dr. Jean-Carlos Jimenez, medical director at Attune Med Spa in Connecticut, agreed that these medicines can result in problems throughout surgical procedure.
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“GLP-1 agonists can cause nausea, vomiting and something known as delayed gastric emptying, or gastroparesis — which means the stomach takes longer than usual to empty its contents into the small intestines,” he informed Fox Information Digital by way of e-mail.
“Residual gastric content can increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia and potentially worsen post-operative recovery.”
Surgical procedure is understood to change blood sugar ranges attributable to stress from the process, a physician famous. (iStock)
Surgical procedure can also be identified to change blood sugar ranges attributable to stress from the process, Jimenez added.
Because of these dangers, medical doctors agree that sufferers ought to overview all of the medicines they’re taking with their surgeon and anesthesiologist.
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For surgical procedures that require sufferers to quick or stay on a transparent liquid weight loss plan, they might want to do that for an extended time frame, stated Jimenez.
“The timing of when to stop will depend on the type of GLP-1 agonists a patient uses, but can range from holding the daily dose on the day of surgery to holding the scheduled weekly dose one week before a planned procedure,” he informed Fox Information Digital.
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GLP-1s sometimes could be restarted on the subsequent scheduled dose, however needs to be rigorously monitored by the physician, he suggested.
The timing can depend upon the kind of surgical procedure and the affected person’s total situation, in response to Bonati.
Because of the dangers, medical doctors say sufferers ought to overview all their medicines with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. (iStock)
“It’s crucial to follow the instructions provided by the health care providers, as they will tailor the advice to your individual health needs and the specifics of your surgery,” he added.
In June 2023, the American Society of Anesthesiologists printed an announcement warning of the dangers and recommending that sufferers think about pausing their doses within the days or perhaps weeks main as much as an elective surgical process.
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The American Affiliation of Nurse Anesthesiology has issued an identical suggestion.
Fox Information Digital contacted Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, requesting remark.
