- If you are scheduled to have intravenous sedation: Please do not have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours before your appointment, including all liquids. For morning surgery, no food or liquids after midnight the night before surgery.
- If you are scheduled to have nitrous oxide analgesia (N2O): Please do not have anything to eat or drink for 4 hours before your surgery. Clear liquids 2 hours before your procedure are okay.
- If we have prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication, take as directed before your surgery. If you have ulcers, a history of ulcers, sensitivity to aspirin or ibuprofen, or are taking anti-inflammatory medications, please tell Dr. Brar.
- If we have prescribed an antibiotic, please take as directed. Please note that your antibiotic may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills.
- If we have prescribed a narcotic pain medication, take this medication after surgery if needed for pain. Do not take this medication before your surgery appointment.
- If it is necessary for you to take a large dose of antibiotics to prevent an infection of your heart valves, prosthetic joint, or if you have received antibiotics prior to dental work in the past, please take your medication as prescribed.
Things You Should Know About Your Medications
- You may have been prescribed several medications. Please note that some of them have desirable effects as well as undesirable side effects.
- Many medications that you may be taking, as well as alcohol or illicit drugs, may adversely interact with anesthetic agents, pain medications, or antibiotics and cause serious harm to you. If you have a problem with alcohol or drug abuse, and you did not discuss this privately with your doctor, it is imperative that you bring this to his attention before your surgery. Be sure to bring a list of your medications.
- If you have medications that you would normally take in the morning, please take them unless specifically directed not to. If you have any questions, please call the office before your surgery. If you are presently taking any other medications, including birth control pills, be sure to tell your doctor. If you suspect that you may be pregnant, please tell Dr. Brar before your surgery.
- Narcotic pain medication will often cause nausea, dizziness, constipation, drowsiness, stomach cramps, wakefulness, anxiety, itching, or hives. Narcotics may be addictive if abused and should never be mixed with alcohol or be taken when operating machinery or performing tasks requiring judgment, balance, and skill.
- You may be allergic to an antibiotic or develop an allergy to an antibiotic after taking it. This would first appear as a rash, unusual itching, or hives. If you develop any of these signs of symptoms, please call Dr. Brar immediately.
- You will experience less nausea from your medications by taking them with food for all doses after surgery.
- It has been shown that nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®/Motrin®) will decrease the incidence of swelling, pain, and post-operative discomfort when taken before surgery. Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications may cause dizziness, disorientation, nausea, itching, hives, and drowsiness. If you experience any of these symptoms or are concerned in any way that you may be having an unusual reaction to this medication before or after surgery, please call us immediately. You will experience less nausea with these medications if you take them with food for all doses after surgery.
Please call our office if you have any questions at (360) 293-2808.