Surgery, anaesthesia and GLP-1 medicines

Give the anaesthetic team the full picture

These medicines can slow stomach emptying, leaving food or fluid despite usual fasting. The MHRA warns of an increased risk of stomach contents entering the lungs during general anaesthesia or deep sedation.

Tell the team the product, formulation, prescribed schedule, last treatment date and recent changes. Mention nausea, vomiting, reflux or other digestive symptoms. Include this even if your private prescription may not appear in hospital records. Dental or endoscopy sedation can also make the conversation relevant.

Ask for one coordinated plan

Ask whether your usual medicine, eating and drinking instructions need changing, and who will confirm this. MHRA guidance says not to stop treatment without discussing it with your doctor; anaesthetic assessment should be individualised.

Request written instructions and check what happens afterwards, particularly if eating is difficult or treatment is interrupted. For urgent surgery, tell the team promptly rather than delaying emergency care. If the procedure is postponed, ask whether the earlier plan still applies before making further changes.