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Supplements to Stop Before Surgery: Ask the Surgeon First
Supplements to stop before surgery depend on what you take, and your surgeon decides. According to FDA, a health care professional may ask you to stop supplements two to three weeks before a procedure. MSK says to stop St. John's wort at least one week before surgery. Tell the team about every product.
By the MemoPryl label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Which supplements should I stop before surgery?
There is no single list that fits everyone. Your surgeon and anesthesia team decide, based on your supplements, your medicines and the operation.
FDA says a health care professional may ask you to stop supplements two to three weeks before a procedure, to avoid changes in heart rate, blood pressure or bleeding (FDA, Mixing Meds and Supplements). That is a general window, not a rule for every product.
Two herbs come up most often in memory products: ginkgo and St. John's wort. Both are among the six ingredient names tied to MemoPryl on a sibling pack, which is unconfirmed for the bottle you receive.
| Supplement | Concern named | Timing named |
|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo | Bleeding case reports, including hematomas (MSK, Ginkgo) | Ask your provider |
| St. John's wort | Weakens many medicines (MSK, St. John's Wort) | At least one week before surgery or chemotherapy (MSK, St. John's Wort) |
| Any supplement | Heart rate, blood pressure, bleeding (FDA, Mixing Meds and Supplements) | Two to three weeks may be requested (FDA, Mixing Meds and Supplements) |
Why do supplements matter for an operation?
Some supplements can change bleeding, heart rate or blood pressure. The surgical team needs the full picture to plan around them.
FDA lists ginkgo, warfarin, aspirin and vitamin E as products that can each thin the blood, and says taking them together may raise the risk of internal bleeding or stroke (FDA, Mixing Meds and Supplements).
St. John's wort can weaken many medicines, which matters when new ones are added around an operation (MSK, St. John's Wort).
Thinking about MemoPryl?Check your medicines with a pharmacist first. The checkout confirms prices and the 60-day window.
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How do I plan supplement timing with my surgeon?
Start at your pre-op visit, or sooner. Bring every bottle, ask for dates in writing, and do not stop a prescription unless you are told to.
- When the date is set
Call the surgeon's office. Say you take supplements and ask who should review them.
- At the pre-op visit
Hand over every bottle or a clear photo, including the panel if there is one.
- Before the stop date
Get the stop date for each product in writing. Ask about restarting too.
- Day of surgery
Repeat the list to the nurse and the anesthesia team.
Keep taking prescribed medicine exactly as directed unless the surgical team tells you to change it. A supplement is never a reason to skip a prescription.
MemoPryl: capsules in 2, 3 or 6 bottlesRead the bottle · check medicines first · 60-day window (confirm)
See packsWhat if I take MemoPryl?
Tell the team you take MemoPryl, a dietary supplement in capsules, and show them the bottle you received.
The two bottle images we have print no Supplement Facts panel, no directions and no warnings, so the bottle that arrives is the source of truth. If it lists ginkgo or St. John's wort, say so clearly.
More cautions are on the medicine interaction guide and the side effects page. This post is general information and does not replace advice from your surgeon.
FAQ01
Questions people ask about MemoPryl
How long before surgery should I stop herbal supplements?
It depends on the product and the surgeon. FDA says a health care professional may ask you to stop supplements two to three weeks before a procedure, and MSK says one week for St. John's wort. Ask your own team.
Do I need to tell the anesthesiologist about supplements?
Yes. Tell the whole surgical team, including the anesthesia team, about every supplement, vitamin and herb. Some change bleeding, heart rate or blood pressure, and the team plans around what you report.
Can I restart a supplement right after surgery?
Ask your surgeon before you restart. Healing, new medicines and bleeding risk all matter, and the team may want you to wait. Get the restart date in writing, with the stop date.
Who wrote this02
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Each page draws on the bottle images, the seller's product notes and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by MemoPryl USA retail, not by the manufacturer or the distributor of the bottle. We are paid a commission when you buy through our order links.
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