Jabwise

Surgery, sedation and the dentist

Mounjaro’s, Wegovy’s and Ozempic’s leaflets ask you to tell your doctor if you’re due surgery under anaesthesia. The NHS says tell the healthcare professional about a general anaesthetic or sedative, at the dentist too. Zepbound’s label says tell all your providers before planned procedures.

Times the sources say to mention itAn operationA general anaestheticSedationA dental procedure

In their own words

Each source’s own line, quoted as written. The three UK leaflets use near-identical words, each naming its own medicine, as do the two NHS pages.

SourceWhat it says
MounjaroIf you know that you are due to have surgery where you will be under anaesthesia (sleeping), please tell your doctor that you are using Mounjaro.Mounjaro KwikPen patient leaflet
WegovyIf you know that you are due to have surgery where you will be under anaesthesia (sleeping), please tell your doctor that you are taking wegovy®.Wegovy FlexTouch patient leaflet
OzempicIf you know that you are due to have surgery where you will be under anaesthesia (sleeping), please tell your doctor that you are taking Ozempic®.Ozempic patient leaflet
ZepboundTell all your healthcare providers that you are taking ZEPBOUND before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.Zepbound prescribing information
NHS (semaglutide)a general anaesthetic (which puts you to sleep) or a sedative (which relaxes you) for an operation or dental procedure – tell the healthcare professional that you're using semaglutideNHS: Semaglutide
NHS (tirzepatide)a general anaesthetic (which puts you to sleep) or a sedative (which relaxes you) for an operation or dental procedure – tell the healthcare professional that you're using tirzepatideNHS: Tirzepatide

Why they ask

  • Food in the lungs

    Zepbound’s label lists food or liquid getting into the lungs in surgery or procedures that use anaesthesia or deep sedation.

  • A slower stomach

    Zepbound’s label says it slows stomach emptying, and may raise the chance of food getting into your lungs in surgery.

  • Rare, despite fasting

    Zepbound’s label cites rare reports of aspiration on GLP-1s under anaesthesia or deep sedation, despite reported fasting.

  • At the dentist too

    The NHS includes dental work: before a sedative or general anaesthetic, tell the healthcare professional you use it.

Questions

Should I stop before surgery?

None of these sources tells you to stop before a procedure. They say tell your doctor, or the healthcare professional, that you use it. The NHS says talk to your doctor if you want to stop.

Does it count for the dentist?

Yes, for a general anaesthetic or a sedative. The NHS names dental procedures, and says tell the healthcare professional that you’re using it.

Why does it matter?

Zepbound’s label says it delays stomach emptying, and there have been rare reports, in people on GLP-1 medicines, of food getting into the lungs under general anaesthesia or deep sedation during planned procedures.

Diary

Your next dose, ready to mention.

Coming Up on the Diary shows your next dose with its day and time, so it’s to hand when you tell the team. Dose reminders never name your medicine on the Lock Screen.

Jabwise Diary with the morning check-in ready and the next Mounjaro dose in 2 days

Sources

General information, not medical advice. Follow your prescriber’s guidance.

Getting real advice

We’re not doctors. This page sums up what the NHS and the official medicine information say, and can’t tell you what’s right for your body: your prescriber’s instructions and the leaflet in your box come first. More in our terms.

  • Quoted from official sources, each one linked
  • Sources checked 12 October 2026
  • No dosing advice; your prescriber comes first