Medications to stop before spinal procedures

Medication Guidelines for Spinal Procedures

Certain medications must be temporarily discontinued before undergoing spinal procedures such as epidural injections, facet injections, radiofrequency ablation, sacroiliac joint injections, and hip injections. To ensure your safety and the effectiveness of the procedure, we provide specific instructions regarding which medications to hold and for how long.

Below is a list of medications that may need to be paused prior to your procedure. During your office visit, we will review these guidelines in detail and provide individualized instructions. If you are taking any blood-thinning medications, additional precautions are necessary. We are required to obtain clearance from your prescribing physician before adjusting or stopping these medications. This includes receiving a formal letter of authorization and confirmation of the appropriate time frame for discontinuation.

It is essential that you do not stop taking any prescribed medication on your own. Some medications play a critical role in your overall health, and in certain cases, your physician may determine that discontinuing them is not advisable. Our team will coordinate with your prescribing doctor to ensure that any adjustments are made safely and in accordance with medical best practices.

If you have any questions regarding the temporary discontinuation of a medication before your procedure, please do not hesitate to consult Dr. Sobel or a member of our staff. Your safety is our top priority, and we are here to guide you through the process to ensure the best possible outcome.

This list is a sample of medications that has to be held. It is not intended to be all inclusive.

1. Aggrenox® (dipyridamole)

2. Aspirin

3. Coumadin® (warfarin)

4. Effient® (prasugrel)

5. Fragmin® (dalteparin)

6. NSAIDS (see below)

7. Herbal blood-thinning medications

8. Heparin

9. Lovenox® (enoxaparin)

10. Plavix® (clopidogrel),

11. Pradaxa® (dabigatran)

12. Ticlid® (ticlopidine)

NSAIDS (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, nabumetone, diclofenac, etodolac, indomethacin, ketorolac, meloxicam, piroxicam, ketoprofen, oxaprozin)