A growing trend of patients arriving for surgery without telling doctors they are taking GLP-1 receptor agonists is risking catastrophic consequences, anaesthetists warn.
The agents delay gastric emptying, which may increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration during induction, forcing doctors to cancel procedures at the last minute.
With prescription numbers increasing and new indications emerging, the president of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) says the problem will only grow.
“It’s becoming clear that doctors need to ask patients directly whether they’re taking Ozempic-type drugs like semaglutide,” Professor David Story told AusDoc.
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