Tayside Diabetes MCN Handbook - Preparation Prior to Procedures for People with Diabetes

Diabetes treated with tablets

Discontinue Metformin (if normally prescribed) 48 hours before procedure – see Radiological Procedures with Iodine Containing Contrast
Continue any other tablets for diabetes except Metformin
Follow guidelines on restarting Metformin

Discontinue Metformin (if prescribed) 48 hours before procedure - see Radiological Procedures with Iodine Containing Contrast
Continue usual insulin regimen
Follow guidelines on restarting Metformin

Four hour fast prior to procedure
Free fluids allowed to maintain hydration
Avoid gassy food and drink prior to appointment
Oral hypoglycaemic agents and/or insulin can cause hypoglycaemia
Ensure blood glucose monitoring is undertaken and appropriate treatments for hypoglycaemia are available

Continue all other tablets as usual until day of test
Discontinue Metformin 48 hours before procedure – see Radiological Procedures with Iodine Containing Contrast
Take other prescribed diabetes medication with food before fast
Resume diabetes medication (not Metformin) as prescribed with food after procedure.
Follow guidelines on restarting Metformin

Discontinue Metformin (if normally prescribed) 48 hours before procedure - see Radiological Procedures with Iodine Containing Contrast
Follow guidelines on restarting Metformin
Continue basal (long acting) insulin as prescribed in people with type 1 diabetes. Basal insulin preparations include Lantus, Levemir, Insulatard & Humulin I
May require reduction (30 – 50%) in insulin dose prior to fast to prevent hypoglycaemia
Resume normal prescribed insulin with food after procedure
If BD insulin regimen is restarted at lunchtime it is recommended that half of the normal ‘breakfast’ insulin dose should be prescribed with lunch after procedure

Four hour food fast
Water allowed until two hours prior to procedure
Oral hypoglycaemic agents and/or insulin can cause hypoglycaemia
Ensure blood glucose monitoring is undertaken and appropriate treatments for hypoglycaemia are available

May require reduction (30 – 50%) in insulin dose prior to fast to prevent hypoglycaemia.
Continue basal (long acting) insulin as prescribed in people with type 1diabetes. Basal insulin preparations include Lantus, Levemir, Insulatard & Humulin I
Resume normal insulin with food following procedure
If BD insulin regimen is restarted at lunchtime it is recommended that half of the normal ‘breakfast’ insulin dose should be prescribed with lunch after procedure