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Preparing for NIH visit

Medications & Foods to Avoid before your NIH evaluation

TALK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE STOPPING ANY MEDICATION!

Tricyclic antidepressants should be discontinued for at least 14 days prior to evaluation

Examples: Amitriptyline (Elavil), Imipramine (Topfranil), Nortriptyline (Aventyl).

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors should be discontinued for at least 14 days prior to evaluation.

Examples: Phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine(Parnate), Selegiline (Eldepryl).

Sympathomimetics should be discontinued for 48 hours prior to evaluation.

Examples: Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), Amphetamines, Albuterol (Proventil).

H2 blockers (stomach medication) should be discontinued for 14 days prior to evaluation.

Examples: Cimetidine (Tagamet), Famotidine (Pepcidin), Ranitidine (Zantac).

Caffeine (coffee, tea, decaf), nicotine (tobacco) and theophylline should be avoided for 48 hours prior to evaluation. Miscellaneous medications

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Percocet, Excedrin) should be discontinued for 5 days prior to evaluation.

Levodopa, Carbidopa (Sinemet), and Cocaine should be discontinued for at least 14 days prior to evaluation.

Labetolol should be discontinued for 6 weeks prior to evaluation.

Food

  • Do not eat spicy/hot foods for 24 hours prior to evaluation.
  • On the days of any blood draw, always arrive fasting. Fasting means no food after midnight, but please drink water.
  • NO FOOD OR WATER 6 HOURS BEFORE a CT SCAN.

Other things to keep in mind for NIH Visit

  • You may resume, caffeine and smoking only AFTER your biochemistry is completed (24 hour urine & plasma metanephrine & catecholamines).
  • If you are having a CT scan, do not take FOOD OR WATER during 6 hours before the scan. Also, if you are on metformin (for diabetes), refrain from taking metformin during the first 24 hours after a CT scan with IV contrast.
  • If you are claustrophobic, please let us know well before your scan day, so we can pre-medicate you.
  • Please arrive to your scheduled scan or test, 15 minutes before your scheduled time. If you are late for a scan, it is difficult to be rescheduled.
  • Please review the maps of the NIH campus and the Clinical Research Center (CRC): NIH Visitor Map Please locate CT & Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Phlebotomy, and 5 South West Day Hospital (5SWDH)
  • Security at the NIH; please allow enough time when coming through the security gates; please have your drivers license easily accessible and you car and truck cleaned out.
  • Registering; If this is your first visit to the CRC/NIH, you must go through the admission process, a The Admissions Office. This process takes approximately one hour; please allow for this time.
  • If you are registered to stay at the Safra Family Lodge, it is your responsibility to call the lodge to confirm you confirmation number and time of stay. Phone number: (301) 496-6500. Please look on the website, for further rules and information for the lodge, these are your responsibilities, as well: The Edmond J Safra Family Lodge