Blood-Thinning Medication Instructions for Upper and Lower Endoscopy
If you are taking a blood-thinning medication (a drug which prevents heart attack, stroke, blood clot, or blood vessel narrowing), you will be asked to stop taking it for a short length of time before your procedure. Please be sure to let the doctor who prescribed your medication know that you will need to stop it before your procedure. After your procedure is finished, your gastroenterologist will give you instructions on restarting your medication. The reason for stopping these medications prior to your procedure is to decrease the risk of bleeding associated with biopsies performed during your procedure.
**If you are taking ASPIRIN, you SHOULD CONTINUE this medication unless directed to do otherwise by your doctor**
The following is a list of blood-thinning medications:
ANTI-PLATELET MEDICATIONS
- AGGRENOX (dipyridamole-aspirin): Do not take this medication for the 3 days before your procedure.
- BRILINTA (ticagrelor): Do not take this medication for the 5 days before your procedure.
- EFFIENT (prasugrel): Do not take this medication for the 7 days before your procedure.
- LOVENOX (enoxaparin sodium): You may take your regular dose the morning of the day PRIOR to your procedure. If you take an evening dose, please contact your prescribing provider for further instructions.
- PLAVIX (clopidogrel): Do not take this medication for the 5 days before your procedure.
- PLETAL (cilostazol): Do not take this medication for the 2 days before your procedure.
ANTI-THROMBOTIC MEDICATIONS:
- ELIQUIS (apixaban): Do not take this medication for the 2 days before your procedure.
- PRADAXA (dabigatran): Do not take this medication for the 2 days before your procedure.
- XARELTO (rivaroxaban): Do not take this medication for the 2 days before your procedure.
- COUMADIN (warfarin): Do not take this medication for the 5 days before your procedure.
OTHER:
- IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib): Do not take this medication for the 5 days before your procedure. Contact your prescribing hematologist to discuss holding this medication before your procedure due to potential increased bleeding risk.
** If you have chronic kidney disease, call your prescribing doctor to discuss the need to stop
Pradaxa, Xarelto, or Eliquis for longer than 2 days before your procedure. **
Please call our office if:
- You do not see your medication on this list.
- You forgot to hold this medication for the appropriate amount of time.
- You have any questions or concerns.
- You have any changes to your current medications.