"Pre-surgical Recommendations: Consider Skipping Ozempic, New Guidance Suggests"

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has issued new guidance cautioning against taking GLP-1 agonist medications, such as Ozempic, before surgery or sedated procedures. These medications, commonly used for weight loss, can delay gastric emptying and increase the risk of vomiting during anesthesia. The ASA advises patients to stop taking the medication on the day of surgery if taken daily, or a week before surgery if taken weekly. Patients may need to switch to alternative medications temporarily, depending on the purpose of taking the GLP-1 agonist.