GLP-1 Medications and Surgery: What You Need to Know

If you’re taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist — medications like Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), or Saxenda (liraglutide) — it’s important to understand how they can affect your care around the time of surgery or procedures involving sedation or anaesthesia.

These medications, used for type 2 diabetes or weight loss, work by slowing how quickly your stomach empties. While helpful for blood sugar and appetite control, this can increase the risk of regurgitation or aspiration (breathing stomach contents into the lungs) while under anaesthesia.

What Should You Do Before Your Procedure?

ANZCA’s latest guidelines (April 2025) recommend the following to reduce your risk of aspiration:

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  • Switch to a clear fluid diet for at least 24 hours before your procedure.

  • This means drinking only water, clear juice (without pulp), black tea/coffee, clear broths, or electrolyte drinks — and no solid food or milky drinks during this time.

• Follow standard fasting instructions unless told otherwise:

  • No clear fluids for 2 hours before anaesthesia

Why This Matters

GLP-1 medications can delay stomach emptying even if you feel well. Taking steps like adjusting your medication or switching to clear fluids the day before your procedure helps keep your stomach empty and reduces your risk of complications under anaesthesia.

Always tell your anaesthetist, surgeon, or GP if you’re on a GLP-1 medication — even if it’s for weight loss and not diabetes.

When in doubt, ask. Your safety is our top priority.

Dr. Ben Hew

MBBS, FANZCA

Specialist Anaesthetist