Again, this is a partial list and is for your information only. Ask your own surgeon before you take any medication/ herbal prior to your surgery and don't stop taking a medication without your doctor knowing first. This is especially important when the blood thinning drugs are being taken to protect your heart and brain from heart attacks and strokes.
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| Aspirin | Decrease platelet function - bleeding | 7-10 days prior and 1 week after |
| Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil | Decrease platelet function - bleeding | 5 days prior and 1 week after |
| Naproxen, Aleve | Decrease platelet function - bleeding | 5 days prior and 1 week after |
| Heparin, Lovenox | Decreases clotting - bleeding | debatable - check bleeding time when in doubt; Lovenox wears off more quickly |
| Clopidogrel, Plavix | Decreases platelet function - bleeding | debatable - discuss with your surgeon |
| Vitamin E, Marine Fatty Acids, Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements | increase risk of bleeding | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Chondroitin | increases risk of bleeding | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Echinacea | reduces immunosuppressant effectiveness - may cause allergic reactions | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Ephedra (Ma Huang) | affects cardiovascular function, may cause cardiomyopathy or thrombotic stroke | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Garlic | increases risk of bleeding | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Glucosamine | mimic human insulin and may artificially cause hypoglycemia during surgery | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Ginkgo | increases risk of bleeding | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Ginseng | may cause hypoglycemia and increases risk of bleeding | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Kava | compounds anesthetic effect | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| St. John's Wort | induces cytochrome enzymes, inhibiting effects of many surgical drugs | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
| Valerian | compounds anesthetic effect, may build tolerance to anesthesia | 2 weeks prior and 1 week after |
