Issues for Surgery |
Increased risk of post-operative infection and delayed wound healing due to poor glycaemic control if omitted. Combination product containing metformin – risk of lactic acidosis if continued (see Interaction(s) with other Common Medicines used in the Perioperative Period and Further Information). Potential for hypoglycaemia when taken concomitantly with other blood glucose lowering medicines and continued during nil by mouth (NBM) period. |
Advice in the Perioperative period |
Elective and Emergency Surgery Pioglitazone should be taken as normal the day prior to surgery (including combination products)1. Morning or Afternoon Surgery. EXCEPT:
Consideration should be given to prescribing the components of combination products as separate medicines perioperatively. Perioperative Considerations Commence variable rate intravenous insulin infusion (VRIII) perioperatively where indicated (see Further Information) and omit pioglitazone during VRIII treatment1. Ensure emergency treatment of hypoglycaemia is prescribed i.e. Glucogel® and 20% dextrose. Rapid acting insulin should also be prescribed1, 2. Post-operative Advice If withheld due to use of VRIII, restart once eating and drinking normally1. |
Interaction(s) with Common Anaesthetic Agents |
None2, 3, 4, 5. |
Interaction(s) with other Common Medicines used in the Perioperative Period |
None for pioglitazone alone2, 3, 4 Iodinated Contrast Agents Caution with combination products containing metformin and concomitant use of iodinated contrast agents4 – see Metformin monograph. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Caution with combination products containing metformin and concomitant use of NSAIDs5 – see Metformin monograph. |
Further Information |
Lactic Acidosis Risk of lactic acidosis with combination products containing metformin5 – see Metformin monograph. VRIII Patients with a planned short starvation period (no more than one missed meal in total) should be managed by modification of their usual diabetes medication, avoiding VRIII wherever possible. Patients expected to miss more than one meal should have VRIII1.
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References |
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