Strictly report all your allergies and medications to your doctor. Your physician may advise you to stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners for a specified period before your procedure. Inform your doctor about recent illnesses or other medical conditions as well.
You will receive specific instructions on how to prepare, including any changes that need to be made to your regular medication schedule. Most likely, you will be instructed to refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight before your procedure. Your doctor will tell you which medications you may take in the morning.
Women should always inform their physician and radiographer if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Many imaging tests are not performed during pregnancy so as not to expose the foetus to radiation.
If you are breastfeeding at the time of the exam, you should ask your radiologist if you can continue with the procedure. It may help to pump breast milk ahead of time and keep it on hand for use after contrast material has cleared from your body, about 24 hours after the test.