Other appointments on treatment: telling your dentist, GP and specialists

Weight-management medicines can slow how quickly the stomach empties. The EU product information notes that this can matter for other medicines taken by mouth and describes reports of pulmonary aspiration in people having general anaesthesia or deep sedation (EMA product information). That is why the team planning a procedure needs to know.

Your GP and specialists also see the whole picture of your health. The German obesity guideline describes weight management as long-term care that involves several professionals working together (AWMF S3 guideline).

Write down every medicine you take, including your weekly injection or daily tablet, the usual day you take it, other prescriptions, over-the-counter products and supplements. In Germany, people taking three or more prescribed medicines can ask their GP for a medication plan (gesund.bund.de).

Keep the list on your phone or in your wallet and update it after each change. Bring it to dental, GP and specialist appointments.

When a surgery, endoscopy or dental procedure with sedation is booked, tell the team about your treatment at the planning stage, not only on the day. Follow their fasting instructions exactly (NHS, general anaesthesia).

Ask the procedure team to speak with your prescribing doctor if they think a change is needed. Any pause or change is a medical decision and is made by a doctor.

Contact your doctor promptly about severe or worsening symptoms, such as persistent vomiting, being unable to keep fluids down, fainting, severe stomach pain that may spread to the back, chest pain or shortness of breath. The EMA product information lists such symptoms as reasons to seek medical advice. Get urgent help for sudden or unclear symptoms. If you have severe side effects, contact a doctor straight away, the out-of-hours service on 116117 or, in an emergency, 112.

You can also report suspected side effects to the authorities; in Germany through the BfArM and PEI reporting portal. Your own GP remains an important part of your care.

This Journal article offers general information about appointments during prescribed weight-management treatment. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription or a promise of any result. Your prescribing doctor decides on suitability, dose changes and personal limits after clinical review. This article is for information and does not replace medical advice.