All living well guides
Lifestyle
Planning for Surgery
If you are having surgery, some medicines need to be paused and restarted on a schedule.
Video lesson
Why it matters
Biologics and some other medicines raise infection risk around surgery, while stopping others suddenly, like steroids, can be dangerous.
What you can do
Tell your surgeon and rheumatologist early. Usually methotrexate, leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine continue, biologics are timed so surgery falls at the end of a dosing cycle, and JAK inhibitors are held a few days before. Never stop prednisone without guidance.
Call your care team if
You have a fever, wound redness or drainage after surgery, or you are unsure when to restart.
At a glance
Topic
Lifestyle
Reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD, FACR
Questions about your own care?
Book an in-person or telehealth consultation with Dr. Tahir.
For education only. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without talking to your care team.