Medications to stop before spinal procedures

Medication Guidelines for Spinal Procedures

Before your procedure, certain medications need to be temporarily stopped. This applies to epidural injections, facet injections, radiofrequency ablation, sacroiliac joint injections, and hip injections. We will review your specific medications during your office visit and give you clear instructions on what to hold and for how long.

If you take blood thinners, extra steps are required. We need written clearance from your prescribing doctor before you stop any of these medications. Do not stop any prescribed medication on your own — some are critical to your health and stopping them without guidance can be dangerous. Our team will coordinate with your doctor to make sure any changes are handled safely.

If you have questions about stopping a medication before your procedure, call our office and speak with Dr. Sobel or a staff member. We are here to help.

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)