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For reception staff & referrers

Diabetes, blood pressure & regular medications guide

Select a procedure, the planned anaesthesia type, and a medication for a rough guide on whether it's typically continued or withheld beforehand — covering metformin, other diabetes medications, and common blood pressure and cholesterol medications. For anticoagulants and antiplatelets, use the separate anticoagulation guide instead.

This is a guideline reference, not clinical advice. This tool gives a general, guideline-informed starting point — it does not replace individualised clinical judgement or a direct conversation with our rooms about a specific patient. Clinical judgement should always be used, and further advice should be sought for any case that is complex or borderline.

1 Select a procedure

Musculoskeletal & Pain

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Women's Health

Vascular Health

Vascular Access & Intervention

Diagnostics

2 Planned anaesthesia / sedation

3 Patient factors (optional — tick any that apply)

4 Select the medication

Diabetes medications

Other regular medications

This is guideline-based general information only. Clinical judgement should always be used — please seek further advice from our rooms for any specific patient.

Not sure, or a borderline case?

Get in touch before the appointment

For complex medication combinations, reduced kidney function, or insulin-dependent patients, contact our rooms directly rather than guessing.

Contact our rooms

Quick reference

General guidance by medication class. Individual patient factors and procedure type can change what applies — use the tool above for a case-specific starting point.

Diabetes medicationGeneral guidance
MetforminContinue if eGFR ≥ 30 and no AKI and non-arterial procedure; otherwise withhold at time of procedure and for 48h after
SulfonylureasWithhold the dose while fasting; resume with the next meal
DPP-4 inhibitorsContinue as normal
ThiazolidinedionesContinue as normal
SGLT2 inhibitorsWithhold day of procedure (day-only); withhold 2–3 days before if overnight stay / bowel prep involved
GLP-1 agonistsContinue — manage via 24h clear fluid diet if sedation/GA planned
InsulinIndividualised — plan with the patient's diabetes team
Other regular medicationGeneral guidance
StatinsContinue as normal
Beta-blockers / CCBsContinue as normal
ACE inhibitors / ARBsContinue for local/sedation; consider omitting morning dose for general anaesthetic
DiureticsSometimes withheld for practical reasons if fasting/sedation planned
Thyroid hormoneContinue as normal
Long-term corticosteroidsContinue — never stop abruptly; larger procedures may need dose adjustment

Common questions

Should metformin be stopped before a scan or procedure?

For patients with normal kidney function (eGFR 30 or above) having a non-arterial procedure, metformin is continued as normal. It is withheld around the procedure, and for 48 hours afterward, if kidney function is reduced, there is acute kidney injury, or the procedure is an arterial catheter study.

Should GLP-1 medications like Ozempic be stopped before a procedure?

No — current guidance is to continue GLP-1 receptor agonists. If sedation or a general anaesthetic is planned, a 24-hour clear fluid diet the day before is used instead of stopping the medication.

Do blood pressure and cholesterol medications need to be stopped before a procedure?

Generally no. Statins, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and thyroid medication are continued as normal. ACE inhibitors and ARBs are usually continued, but may be omitted on the morning of a procedure involving a general anaesthetic.

Disclaimer

This tool provides general, guideline-informed educational information for reception staff, referrers and patients, and does not constitute individualised medical advice for any specific patient. Clinical judgement should always be used, and further advice should be sought for any complex or borderline case — please contact our rooms or the patient's usual prescriber.

For anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications, see our separate periprocedural anticoagulation & antiplatelet guide. For a fuller explanation of the reasoning behind this guidance, see our periprocedural fasting & medications guide.