Paediatric Anaesthesia Department

Guidelines for the Administration of Oral Medications to Patients Fasting for Anaesthesia

1. In the absence of specific instructions all regular medications should be continued up to 1 hour preoperatively: 0800 hour drugs may be given at 0700 hours. A sip of water (up to 20rnls total) is acceptable to assist patients to swallow tablets.

2. The attending anaesthetist should give clear instructions verbally and in writing to a ward Registered Nurse if he/she wishes to alter (1) above.

3 . The following drugs should only be given with food or a longer drink in the upright position and therefore may need to be OMITTED in the fasting patient:

doxycycline
iron tablets
cotrimoxazole tablets
potassium chloride tablets
theophylline tablets

4. The following drugs should ALWAYS be given :

bronchodilators
anticonvulsants

5. The management of diabetic patients should be undertaken in consultation with the Endocrine Unit or the Physician who usually manages them.

6. Problems regarding drug administration during the fasting period should be referred to the anaesthetist concerned or in his/her absence the Duty Anaesthetist.

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