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By Mayo Clinic staffBefore your liver biopsy, you'll meet with your doctor to talk about what to expect during the biopsy. This is a good time to ask questions about the procedure and make sure you understand the risks and benefits.
Medications
When you meet with your doctor, bring a list of all medications you take, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal supplements. A week before your liver biopsy, you'll likely be asked to stop taking medications and supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding, including:
- Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants), such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- Fish oil
- Ginkgo
Your doctor or nurse will let you know if you need to temporarily avoid any of your other medications.
Blood draw
Before your biopsy, you'll have blood drawn to check its ability to clot. If you have blood-clotting problems, you may be given a medication before your biopsy to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Diet
You may be asked not to drink or eat for six to eight hours before the liver biopsy. Some people can eat a light breakfast.
Care after the biopsy
Liver biopsy is a same-day outpatient procedure, but you won't be able to drive for 12 hours afterward if you're given sedative medications. You should arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you during the first night. Many doctors recommend that people spend the first evening within an hour's driving distance of the hospital where the biopsy is done, in case a complication develops.
- Bravo A, et al. Percutaneous liver biopsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 18, 2009.
- Liver biopsy. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/liverbiopsy/. Accessed Sept. 18, 2009.
- Rockey DC, et al. Liver biopsy (AASLD position paper). Hepatology. 2009;49:1017.
- Sanchez WS, et al. Liver cirrhosis. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/ patients/ gihealth/ pdf/ livercirrhosis.pdf 44k 08/Jan/2009. Accessed Sept. 18, 2009.
- Liver biopsy. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec03/ch023/ch023d.html. Accessed Sept. 18, 2009.
- Chopra S. Patient information: Liver biopsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 18, 2009.
- Bravo A, et al. Transjugular, laparoscopic, and fine needle aspiration liver biopsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 18, 2009.
