Your medicines and your operation

Coming into hospital for an operation can feel overwhelming. There is often a lot to think about. This leaflet is here to help make things clearer when it comes to your medicines, and to help you understand what to do.

Taking your medicines before your operation

If there are any medicines you need to stop before your operation, this will be explained to you during your pre-assessment appointment, and you’ll be given clear advice on what to do.

Below is a list of medications that should not be taken on the morning of your operation.
It’s very important to follow this advice and have not taken any medication that could result in your surgery being delayed or even cancelled.

Other medications with specific instructions will be written in the box below by the staff during your pre-assessment appointment.

If your medication is not listed, please continue to take it as usual on the day of your surgery, with a small sip of water, unless told otherwise in your pre-assessment appointment.

Bringing your medications into hospital

When coming into hospital, please bring all your regular medications with you. It’s important that these are brought in their original packaging, with the pharmacy label clearly showing your name and the instructions for use.  Having your own medicines with you helps the doctors and nurses give you the right medicine at the right time.

Getting ready for going home

Before you come into hospital, make sure you have enough of your regular medicines.  This helps you to be discharged from hospital much quicker at the end of your stay.

If you use a weekly pill tray (medipack/dosette box)

If you usually receive your medications in a weekly pill tray (sometimes called a medipack or dosette box), speak to the pharmacy team at the pre-assessment clinic on 0191 213 7841.

You don’t need to bring your tray with you to hospital as it will not be used during your stay, but it’s a good idea to have one ready at home for when you’re discharged — this will help you get back into your usual routine more easily and help get you home from hospital quicker.

Pain relief after surgery

After your surgery, you may need pain relief such as paracetamol or, if you are able to take it, ibuprofen to help with your recovery. These medicines are important for keeping you comfortable and helping you heal.

The hospital may not be able to give you these when you go home, so please make sure you have some ready before your admission. You can:

• buy them from a pharmacy or supermarket, or
• ask your GP for a repeat prescription if they’re already part of your regular medication or ask if the medication can be added to your regular prescription.

If you are given any new pain relief during your hospital stay that can’t be bought over the counter, the hospital will provide it for you when you’re discharged.

Important reminders before your surgery

New or changed medications?

If you have started any new medicines or had changes to your current ones since your initial pre-assessment appointment, please contact the team for advice.

Pain relief on the day of surgery

If you take any painkillers on the morning of your procedure, make a note of what you took, the time you took them and let the anaesthetist know on the ward.

Further information

PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for help, advice and information about NHS services. You can contact them on freephone 0800 032 02 02, email [email protected].

Useful websites

If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS website at www.nhs.uk

If you would like to find accessibility information for our hospitals.