Patients who are getting ready to undergo spine surgery need to be extra vigilant when it comes to following their pre-surgery instructions. Making sure you know what medications are safe to take and what medications to avoid before surgery is no exception.

Spine surgery is a serious medical procedure and the medications you are taking in the days and weeks leading up to surgery can have an impact on the effectiveness and safety of the surgery. Any patients with questions regarding their spine surgery should speak with their neurosurgeon before their scheduled surgery date. Here will discuss what medications are alright prior to surgery and what medications to avoid before your procedure.

Prepare A Medication Audit Prior To Surgery

Informing your surgeon of any medications you are currently taking is an important part of preparing for spine surgery. Surgeons will want to gather as much information as possible in order to give you the best odds for a successful procedure. Prior to spine surgery, our staff will want to go over your:

• Medical history
• Pre-surgery laboratory tests
• Coexisting medical conditions
• Any past surgical procedures

This information will help your surgeon determine what medications you should avoid before your operation. If you are unsure of what medications you are taking and the dosage, you can always speak with your primary care physician to obtain a list of current medications. Your surgeon and medical team will want an audit of all medications you are taking including:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications (ibuprofen, aspirin)
• Supplements, vitamins, and herbs
• Whether or not you are a smoker
• Any recreational drugs you consume
• How often you drink alcohol

You will want to make several copies of this information. A copy should be provided to your preoperative nurse to store in your chart. Another should be provided to your anesthesiologist on the day of surgery and one should be given to your surgeon ahead of your procedure date.

The Importance Of Fasting The Night Before Your Procedure

It is now common practice for patients preparing for a surgical procedure to be asked to avoid eating or drinking after midnight the night before their operation. Surgeons ask this of their patients to help prevent a condition known as pulmonary aspiration.

Pulmonary aspiration is a condition that occurs when substances in the stomach travel into the lungs. This can black airflow, making breathing more difficult and increase the likelihood of infection during an operation. Modern anesthesia techniques have greatly decreased the risk of pulmonary aspiration, but it is still safest to avoid drinking or eating after midnight the night before your spine surgery.

Fasting may extend to medications that you take as well. Your surgeon may ask you to avoid taking certain medications the day before and the day of surgery. There may be some exceptions for patients who have prescribed blood pressure medication, an anti-seizure medicine, or acetaminophen. In this case, your surgeon may approve you taking your medication the morning of surgery with a small sip of water.

Patients who are prescribed insulin should discuss how to adjust their dosage for the day of surgery with their prescribing doctor. Your doctor may suggest lowering your normal dose the night before and the morning of surgery since you will not be eating or drinking. If there are any fasting questions, be sure to speak with your surgeon ahead of your surgery date.

Avoid These Medications Before Spine Surgery

Certain medications, supplements for spine health, or other drugs can have adverse effects on surgical procedures or increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. Always be sure to disclose all medications and substances you consume with your surgeon prior to surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions for what medications are safe and what medications to avoid before spine surgery.

Please halt the use of any of the following medications for at least 7 days prior to your spine surgery.

• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS): Advil, Aleve, Anaprox, Ansaid, Arthrotec, Bextra, Celebrex, Daypro, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Indocin, KetoProfen, Lodine, Mobic, Naprosyn, Naproxen, Toradol, Relafen, Vicoprofen, Vioxx, Voltaren
• Medications Containing Aspirin: Alka-Seltzers, Anacin, Aspirin, Bayer Arthritis, Bufferin, Darvon Compound, Ecotrin, Excedrin, Fiorinal, Pepto-Bismol, Percodan, BC Powders, Goody’s Powders, Stanback Powders, Etc.
• Anticoagulants and Antithrombotics: Aggrenox, Coumadin, Ecotrin, Fragmin, Halfprin, Heparin, Lovenox, Orgaran, Persantine, Plavix, Ticlid. Be sure to speak with your physician to develop a plan for stopping these medications.
• MAO Inhibitors: Nardil (Phenelzine), Parnate (Tranylcypromine)
• Herbal Medications and Supplements: Echinacea, Feverfew, Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng, Kava, Ma Huang, Saw Palmetto, Valerian. St. John’s Wort, Vitamin E, and Multivitamins containing Vitamin E should be stopped at least 14 days before surgery.
• Dietary Supplements: Any form of dietary supplements should be stopped no later than 7 days before surgery.
• Estrogen Products: All oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy should be stopped at least 7 days before your procedure.

Certain medications may be taken in the days leading up to surgery with your surgeon’s approval:

• Acetaminophen
• Darvocet
• Darvon
• Dilaudid
• Duragesic
• Fioricet
• Lorcet
• Lortab
• MS Contin
• MSIR
• Oxycontin
• Percocet
• Roxanol
• Tylenol with Codeine
• Tylenol
• Vicodin (Hydrocodone)

Lumbar or Cervical Spinal Fusion

Patients who are going in for a cervical or lumbar spinal fusion may need to avoid certain medications after surgery as well. NSAIDs and medications containing Aspirin should be avoided for up to 3 months after a spinal fusion unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. These medications can impair the spinal fusion from taking hold.

Write Down Your Medication Plan

Once you have developed a solid medication plan with your surgeon, be sure to write it down. You should post a written copy of your medication plan in an area that will be viewed regularly, such as the refrigerator. This will help you stay on top of your plan and remind you of any changes to your regular routine.

Talk with your doctor about how long you should stick to your altered medication plan for your surgery. The best way to ensure a safe and successful surgery and a quick recovery are to follow the instructions of your doctor.

Speak With A Neurosurgeon Today

Are you in need of a spinal surgery procedure? Spine surgery can often be an intimidating procedure to consider, but should not be put off as conditions could seriously worsen if left untreated. However, if you are in need of a neurological or orthopedic procedure, you want to be in the hands of an experienced neurosurgeon.

With years of experience under their belts, the board-certified neurosurgeons at Florida Surgery Consultants will make you feel at ease as they help you prepare for and recover from spine surgery. If you are ready to get back to a healthy, pain-free life, give us a call today at 833-50-PAINFREE or fill out the form on the right side of this page to schedule a surgical consultation.