Sufferers who’re taking GLP-1 drugs comparable to Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others might face problems throughout surgical procedure, current analysis has proven.
In a single examine led by UTHealth Houston, greater than half of sufferers taking GLP-1s had “important 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 sort 2 diabetes (to stabilize blood glucose ranges) or weight problems (to help with weight reduction).
“These drugs decelerate digestion, which implies meals stays within the abdomen longer,” mentioned Dr. Alfred Bonati, the founding father of the Bonati Backbone Institute in Florida.
Sufferers who’re taking GLP-1 drugs comparable to Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others might face problems throughout surgical procedure, current analysis has proven. (iStock; Getty Pictures)
Pulmonary aspiration could cause extreme lung harm, infections and even loss of life, Bonati warned.
“Normal anesthesia may also trigger nausea, and the slowed digestion from weight-loss meds can exacerbate this, resulting in the next danger of vomiting throughout surgical procedure,” he mentioned.
“These drugs decelerate digestion, which implies meals stays within the abdomen longer.”
Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon and part chief at St. Mary’s Medical Heart in Florida, at all times advises his sufferers who’re taking GLP-1 agonists to cease the medicine no less than one week earlier than a surgical process, he mentioned.Â
Along with aspiration, Osborn warned of the elevated danger of postoperative ileus, a dysfunction of the intestines after surgical procedure.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists are generally prescribed to sufferers with sort 2 diabetes, to stabilize blood glucose ranges — or sufferers with weight problems, to help with weight reduction. (iStock)
“This might predispose sufferers to important issues, together with bowel ischemia (a uncommon circulatory situation that happens when blood movement to the intestines is decreased),” he advised Fox Information Digital.
Therapeutic is a secondary concern amongst sufferers taking GLP-1s, in response to Osborn.Â
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“These following a hypocaloric food regimen, as is the case with sufferers on GLP-1 agonists, could probably inhibit therapeutic and restoration from surgical procedure, which requires a caloric surplus, significantly from protein-laden meals,” he mentioned.Â
Correct diet is essential for tissue restoration, Osborn mentioned.
Correct diet is important to therapeutic after surgical procedure, a physician mentioned. (iStock)
“By inducing a relative state of malnutrition, these drugs may be problematic in perioperative sufferers.”
Dr. Jean-Carlos Jimenez, medical director at Attune Med Spa in Connecticut, agreed that these drugs can result in problems throughout surgical procedure.
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“GLP-1 agonists could cause nausea, vomiting and one thing often called delayed gastric emptying, or gastroparesis — which implies the abdomen takes longer than traditional to empty its contents into the small intestines,” he advised Fox Information Digital by way of e-mail.
“Residual gastric content material can enhance the danger of pulmonary aspiration throughout anesthesia and probably worsen post-operative restoration.”
Surgical procedure is understood to change blood sugar ranges as a result of stress from the process, a physician famous. (iStock)
Surgical procedure can also be identified to change blood sugar ranges as a result of stress from the process, Jimenez added.
As a consequence of these dangers, docs agree that sufferers ought to evaluation all of the drugs they’re taking with their surgeon and anesthesiologist.Â
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For surgical procedures that require sufferers to quick or stay on a transparent liquid food regimen, they could want to do that for an extended time frame, mentioned Jimenez.
“The timing of when to cease will rely on the kind of GLP-1 agonists a affected person makes use of, however can vary from holding the each day dose on the day of surgical procedure to holding the scheduled weekly dose one week earlier than a deliberate process,” he advised Fox Information Digital.
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GLP-1s sometimes may be restarted on the subsequent scheduled dose, however ought to be fastidiously monitored by the physician, he suggested.
The timing can rely on the kind of surgical procedure and the affected person’s general situation, in response to Bonati.
Because of the dangers, docs say sufferers ought to evaluation all their drugs with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. (iStock)
“It’s essential to comply with the directions supplied by the well being care suppliers, as they’ll tailor the recommendation to your particular person well being wants and the specifics of your surgical procedure,” he added.
In June 2023, the American Society of Anesthesiologists revealed an announcement warning of the dangers and recommending that sufferers contemplate pausing their doses within the days or even 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.
