Use of other regular medications before and after endoscopic procedures in adults

Patients having an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (gastroscopy) can take their regular medications with a sip of water, preferably at least 2 hours before the procedure.

Antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) interfere with testing for Helicobacter pylori, so patients may be advised to stop therapy for 2 weeks before the procedure if a biopsy is planned. An antacid or H₂-receptor antagonist may replace the PPI if required for symptom control.

For detailed information on management of patients taking regular medications to manage their diabetes, see Periprocedural management of adults with diabetes.

Patients having a colonoscopy can generally continue taking their regular medications, with the exception of iron supplements, which should be stopped at least 1 week before colonoscopy (because they may affect visualisation of the intestinal mucosa), and SGLT2 inhibitors, which should be stopped 2 days before the colonoscopy (because of the risk of euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA]). In some cases, patients taking antithrombotic medications may also need to stop these medications.