Semaglutide Diabetic Medications – Did you know?
Did you know that semaglutide diabetic medications are also frequently used to aid weight loss? There are a couple of things to know if you use these products and have other medical procedures on the horizon.
Because semaglutide is a long-acting medication that can slow gastric emptying and increase the risk of aspiration during a procedure, ask your medical provider about the recommendations of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). They recommend patients stop semaglutide and similar medications well in advance of any sedated procedures. At Granite Peaks Gastroenterology and Endoscopy centers, our protocol is to stop these medications 7 days or even up to 2 weeks prior to a sedated procedure. This will depend on your individual medical history and the specific risks associated with your endoscopy at our facility or in the hospital.
It is important to follow your prescribing doctor’s instructions carefully when stopping semaglutide before an endoscopy or any sedated medical procedure.
Additional Tips
Additional tips for stopping semaglutide before a sedated medical procedure:
- Talk to your prescribing doctor about safely stopping semaglutide. They may recommend that you taper your dose down over a few days or weeks.
- Monitor your blood sugar levels closely after stopping semaglutide. Your blood sugar levels may rise, so it is important to be prepared to treat any high blood sugar episodes.
- Be sure to have a plan in place for managing your diabetes during and after your endoscopy. This may include working with a diabetes educator or dietitian to create a meal plan and adjust your insulin doses.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure a safe and successful endoscopy or other medical procedure.
If you are taking any of the following medications or similar semaglutide or GLP-1 receptor agonists, please tell your provider’s office for specific instructions prior to your procedure.
Ozempic®
Rybelsus®
Mounjaro®
Wegovy ®
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