Procedure prep
Fasting Before an ERCP
An ERCP is a scope passed through the mouth to the bile ducts and pancreas, often to remove a stone or place a stent. It's done under deep sedation or general anesthesia, so fasting is essential — and blood thinners usually need stopping because a small cut may be made.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — usually stopped before ERCP because a small cut (sphincterotomy) may be made, which can bleed. Follow your team's plan. See medications to stop.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin need a fasting-day plan. See diabetes tablets.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water.
- Tell your team if you've ever had pancreatitis or a reaction to X-ray contrast dye.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever or signs of active infection (sometimes ERCP is done urgently for infection — follow your team)
- A new cough/cold or chest infection
- Blood thinners that haven't been paused as planned
- Very high blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and your insurance or hospital paperwork
- A current list of all your medicines, doses, and allergies (including to contrast dye)
- Your ultrasound, CT or MRCP scans and recent blood tests
- Details of any previous ERCP or stents
- A ride home and an escort — you'll have had sedation or anesthesia
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have deep sedation or a general anesthetic?
- Which of my blood thinners do I stop, and when do I restart them?
- Are you likely to place a stent, and will it need changing later?
- What's the chance of pancreatitis afterward, and what should I watch for?
- How long will I stay before going home?
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
Why do blood thinners usually stop before an ERCP?
Because an ERCP often involves a small cut at the opening of the bile duct (a sphincterotomy) to remove a stone or place a stent, which can bleed. Stopping blood thinners beforehand lowers that risk. Your team will give you a plan for when to stop and restart — don't change them on your own.
What is post-ERCP pancreatitis and how would I know?
Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas — is the main risk after ERCP. The warning sign is significant tummy pain (often going through to the back), sometimes with nausea, in the hours afterward. Teams take steps to reduce the risk, and if it happens it's managed in hospital. Report worsening pain rather than going home with it.
Will I be asleep for an ERCP?
You'll either have deep sedation, which makes you very drowsy and unaware, or a general anesthetic. Either way you won't be sitting through it awake. Because of the sedation or anesthetic, you'll need someone to take you home and stay with you afterward.