Procedure prep
Fasting Before an Endoscopy
An upper endoscopy looks inside your stomach, so it must be empty — both to see clearly and to keep you safe under sedation.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Saurabh Shukla, MBBS, DNB Anesthesiology
· Last updated June 2026
Fasting for this procedure
Stop solid food about 6 hours before, and clear liquids about 2 hours before your hospital arrival time. Some units ask for a longer food-free window. Your stomach must be empty for the camera to see clearly and to prevent aspiration during sedation.
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin — they need a plan. See diabetes tablets.
- GLP-1 (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) — tell your team. See the GLP-1 guide.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water and which to hold.
- Acid-reducing medicines — ask whether to take them as usual.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
- Your stomach isn't empty (you ate too recently)
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A written list of all your medicines and doses
- Any blood tests, ECG, or scans your team asked for
- Consent forms or referral letters, and allergy details
- A responsible adult to drive you home (sedation is used)
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have general anesthesia, spinal/regional, or sedation?
- Which medicines do I take or hold on the morning of surgery?
- When can I eat and drink afterward?
- Will I go home the same day, and who can drive me?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink water before an endoscopy?
Usually yes — small amounts of clear liquid up to about 2 hours before your hospital arrival time, unless your unit says otherwise. Solid food usually stops about 6 hours before.
Why do I need an empty stomach for endoscopy?
Food blocks the camera's view and, under sedation, can come up and enter the lungs. An empty stomach makes the test both clearer and safer.