As the second-half health checkup season approaches, many people are unsure what to do about medications they are taking before their exams. It is easy to assume that skipping food is enough, but depending on the type of drug and the type of test, medication may need to be adjusted in advance.
Extra caution is needed for those taking diabetes drugs or blood-thinning medications such as aspirin. Because whether a drug can be taken as usual or must be stopped varies by test type, it is safer to check with a doctor before the checkup.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on the 2nd through its official YouTube channel that for more accurate checkup results, patients should generally fast for at least eight hours before testing and avoid alcohol and fatty foods. It also urged patients to inform their doctors of any medications they regularly take.
Diabetes medication requires the most attention. Taking diabetes drugs or using insulin as usual after a long fast for testing can push blood sugar too low. Severe hypoglycemia can cause dizziness or reduced consciousness, and may lead to secondary accidents such as falls.
For tests using contrast agents, the ingredients of a patient's medication also need to be reviewed. Iodine-based contrast agents used in CT scans and angiography can temporarily affect kidney function. Caution is especially needed for patients taking diabetes drugs containing metformin, given how the drug is cleared through the kidneys.
As a result, patients on metformin may need to stop taking the drug for a certain period starting on the day of a test involving a contrast agent. The ministry said the drug may be withheld for up to 48 hours after the test depending on kidney function, so the specific timing should be discussed with a doctor.
Patients scheduled for endoscopy, including gastroscopy or colonoscopy, must also disclose whether they are taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. These include aspirin, warfarin, Plavix and Pletaal, as well as anticoagulants such as Xarelto, Lixiana, Eliquis and Pradaxa.
Bleeding can occur when tissue is removed or polyps are excised during an endoscopy, and drugs that keep blood from clotting properly can raise that risk. Depending on the drug and the patient's condition, medication may need to be stopped several days before the test.
Still, patients should not stop taking these drugs on their own ahead of a checkup. Abruptly discontinuing anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs raises the risk of blood clots, which can worsen existing conditions and lead to heart attacks or strokes.
The ministry urged patients preparing for a health checkup to tell their doctors the names of all medications they are taking and the tests they are scheduled to undergo, and to follow their physician's instructions on timing rather than stopping or taking drugs on their own.
