Patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists are 11 times more likely to regurgitate or aspirate gastric contents under general anaesthesia than patients not taking these medications, a UK study has found.

The study, published in Anaesthesia, found that 3% of 47,039 patients across 119 sites in the UK were receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs) three months prior to an index procedure. 

Of these patients, more than 40% had procured the medication via a non-GP or specialist prescription source, with the most common indication being for weight management.

The findings are likely to compound growing concerns among Australian anaesthetists of patients failing to advise their treating doctor that they are taking GLP-1 RAs prior to procedures.