Medication Precaution List

Patients who take products containing aspirin, vitamin E, or ibuprofen prior to surgery commonly have a marked increase in operative and post-operative bleeding. These medications transform a normal person into the equivalent of a hemophiliac (a “free bleeder”). Most all “multi-vitamins” and dietary drinks contain vitamin E. All of these substances must be discontinued a minimum of three, preferably four weeks before surgery.

THREE WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY:

Discontinue all aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E. Not even one tablet is permissible. Their effect on blood clotting lasts weeks! Herbal preparations including all Chinese herbs (even herbs from health food stores) must also be discontinued well in advance of surgery, as must all stimulants, amphetamine products, and anti-inflammatory agents of any kind. If this poses a problem, you should discuss it with your doctor. Three weeks assures that these products are out of your system prior to surgery. Should you inadvertently take any of these, please notify our office promptly.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY:

Black fungus and Shitaki type mushrooms should be avoided two weeks prior to surgery since some varieties also cause bleeding. They are commonly used in East Asian dishes. Soups or other preparations cooked together with such fungus or mushrooms must also be avoided. It is not enough to simply remove the fungus or mushroom. Do not consume the broth or eat anything else in the “dish”. This additional precaution will help assure the safest surgery with the lowest likelihood of complications, including prolonged bleeding and bruising. Also of major importance, is stopping diet pills including dietary drinks containing multi-vitamins, at least two weeks prior to surgery. Diet sodas are permissible.

WHAT TO TAKE FOR PAIN:

Tylenol (also known as acetaminophen), extra strength Tylenol, and other pain medications based on Tylenol, such as Darvocet, Percocet, Tylenol #2 or #3 (containing Codeine), Vicodin, Tylox, Talacen, Lortab, Anecxia, Esgic, Fioricet, and others, including Demerol, Morphine, and Codeine may all be taken for pain before or after surgery. There are clearly many alternatives to aspirin/ibuprofen containing medications. WHEN IN DOUBT ASK THE PHARMACIST OR ASK US!

MEDICATIONS CONTAINING ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN:

Salicylic acid acetate and acetylsalicylic acid are other terms for aspirin. Butylhydratopic acid is another term for ibuprofen. If products list any of these compounds, or similar sounding ingredients – avoid them. When in doubt, do not use, ask! (SEE LIST BELOW)

Arthritis Strength Bufferin,

Arthropan,

Asacol,

Ascriptin A/D,

Ascriptin with Codeine,

Asper Buf,

Aspercin,

Aspergum,

Aspirin,

Aspirin + Dipyridamole,

Asacol,

Asproject,

Azulfidine,

Bayer,

BC Tabs,

Buff A,

Buffaprin,

Bufferin,

Buffers II,

Buffinol,

Buffinol Cama,

Butazolidin,

Cama Inlay,

Cilostazol,

Cinioril,

Clopedrogil,

Cope,

Congesperin,

Coricidin,

Cosprin,

Coumadin,

Dalterparin,

Darvon with A.S.A.,

Dasin,

Diclofenac,

Dicumarol,

Dipyridamole,

Disalcid,

Doans Pills,

Dolcin,

Dolobid,

Dristan,

Duoprin,

Duradyne,

Ecotrin,

Efficin,

Empirin,

Emprazil,

Encaprim,

Enoxaparin SQ,

Eptifibatide,

Equagesic,

Exedrin,

4-Way Cold Tablets,

Feldene,

Fiorinal,

Fragmin,

Gaysal-S,

Gemnisyn,

Gingko,

Heparin SQ,

Ibuprofen,

Indocin,

Indomethasin,

Integrilin,

Intralgin,

Isollyi,

Ketoralac,

Ketoprofen,

Klerval-PM,

Lanorinal,

Lovenox,

Magan,

Magsal,

Marnal,

Measurin,

Melcomen,

Mesalamine,

Micranin,

Midol,

Mobidin,

Mobigesic,

Momentum,

Monacet,

Motrin,

Nabumetone,

Nalfon,

Naprosyn,

Naproxen,

Norgesic Forte,

Norwich Aspirin,

Nuprin,

Orbofiban,

Orudis,

Oxalid,

Pabirin,

Pacaps,

Pamprin,

Panalgesic,

Panodynes,

Paracetamol,

Pedicare Fever,

Pepto Bismol,

Percodan,

Persantine,

Persistin,

Plavix,

Pletal,

Rheopro,

Robaxisal Tablets,

Rufen,

Sal-Fayne,

Saleto,

Salsalate,

Sibrafiban,

Sine-Off,

SK-65 Compound Capsules,

Sulfasalane,

Sulfindac,

Sulifinpyrazore,

Supac,

Synalogos,

Talwin,

Tandearil,

Ticlid,

Ticlopidine,

Tirofiban,

Tisma,

Tolectin,

Toradol,

Trapidil,

Triaminicin,

Trigesic,

Uracel S,

Vanquish,

Vitamin E,

Warfarin,

Xemlofiban, and

Zorprin

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