Medications
Can I Take My Medicine With Water Before Surgery?
Short answer: usually yes — most essential medicines are meant to be taken on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water, and that sip does not break your fast. But some medicines need to be held, so you need to know your personal take-or-hold list. Here's how it works.
A sip of water is allowed
The small-sip rule
Fasting before surgery is about keeping your stomach empty, not about going without your important medicines. The small sip of water needed to swallow a tablet is allowed and does not break your fast. Use the smallest amount of water you need — and use water, not milk or juice.
Take or hold: it's personal
Some medicines should be continued right up to surgery; others must be paused beforehand. Which is which depends on the medicine, the dose, your health, and the operation — so your surgical team gives you a personal take-or-hold list. The table below shows the general pattern, but your list always wins.
| Often taken with a sip of water | Often held (confirm with your team) |
|---|---|
| Many blood pressure and heart medicines | Certain diabetes tablets |
| Thyroid, seizure, and reflux medicines | Water pills (diuretics) |
| Inhalers and most regular essentials | Sometimes ACE inhibitors and ARBs |
| As directed on your personal list | Blood thinners, on a set schedule |
Important
How to take them on the day
Take only the medicines on your "take" list, each with the smallest sip of water needed. Don't use milk or juice. If you've been told to hold a medicine, leave it — don't double up later unless your team tells you to.
Not sure which is which?
Check your medicines for general take-or-hold guidance, then confirm your personal list with your surgical team.
To see the exact times to stop food and drinks, use our Surgery Fasting Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my medicine with water before surgery?
Usually yes. Most essential medicines are meant to be taken on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water. That small sip does not break your fast. But some medicines need to be held, so follow the personal take-or-hold list your surgical team gives you.
Does a sip of water for medicines break my fast?
No. The small sip of water needed to swallow essential medicines is allowed and does not break your fast. Use the smallest amount of water you need, and don't use milk or juice.
Which medicines usually need to be held before surgery?
It varies by person, but commonly held medicines include certain diabetes tablets, water pills (diuretics), sometimes ACE inhibitors and ARBs, and blood thinners on a set schedule. Your team will tell you exactly which of yours to take and which to hold — never stop a prescription medicine on your own.
Can I use milk or juice to take my pills?
No. Take medicines with a small sip of water only. Milk and juice are treated as food or are not clear liquids, so they don't belong in the fasting window — water is what's allowed.
What if I'm not sure which medicines to take or hold?
Use the medication checker to see general guidance for your medicines, then confirm your personal list with your surgical team. Their instruction always wins, and you should never stop a prescription medicine on your own.