Can I take my meds the morning of surgery?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Usually continue blood pressure, heart, thyroid, epilepsy, and inhaler medicines with a small sip of water; usually adjust diabetes medicines for fasting; always follow the written plan for held drugs like blood thinners and GLP-1s. The NHS says your team gives clear instructions on stopping usual medicines before hospital, and small sips of water with essential pills do not break fasting in most protocols. The dangerous improvisations: skipping everything yourself, taking a full diabetes dose on an empty stomach, or forgetting to declare over-the-counter and herbal pills. If a pill's instruction is unclear, call the pre-op team the day before.
What to do
- Take essential heart, BP, thyroid, and seizure meds with a small sip of water, per your instructions.
- Hold or adjust diabetes medicines as told; fasting changes the math.
- Follow the written fasting rules exactly.
- Call the pre-op team the day before for any unclear pill.
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