specific PATIENT INFORMATION
Patients on GLP-1 medicines
GLP-1 medications are commonly used to treat diabetes and assist with weight management. They can slow the emptying of your stomach, which is important when you are having an anaesthetic or sedation. If you take a GLP-1 medication, you will need to follow specific fasting instructions before your procedure.
Do you take a GLP-1 medication?
Common GLP-1 medications include:
Ozempic / Wegovy — semaglutide
Mounjaro — tirzepatide
Trulicity — dulaglutide
Victoza / Saxenda — liraglutide
Rybelsus — semaglutide tablets
01
Continue your GLP-1 medication
You do not need to routinely stop your GLP-1 medication before your procedure. Your hospital or doctor will provide separate instructions for any other medications you take.
03
On the day of your procedure
Do not eat any solid food.
On the day of your procedure, change from clear fluids to small amounts of water only. The timing will depend on whether your procedure is in the morning or afternoon.
Your hospital will tell you when to stop drinking water completely. Follow the fasting times provided by your hospital or anaesthetist.
02
Fasting before your procedure
For the whole day before your procedure, do not eat any solid food. Drink clear fluids only.
Clear fluids include water, black tea or black coffee, clear cordial, apple juice, clear soft drinks, clear broth or miso soup without solids, jelly, icy poles and electrolyte drinks.
Avoid milk-containing drinks, yoghurt drinks, ice cream, cloudy or pulpy fruit juices, alcohol and soluble fibre supplements.
04
If you have not followed the instructions
Please contact your hospital or anaesthetist as soon as possible.
Start following the fasting instructions from wherever you are in the preparation timeline, and let us know when you last ate and when you started fasting.
Your procedure may still be able to go ahead, so do not assume that it will automatically be cancelled.