Consolidated Postoperative Medication List
A plain-language reference to commonly prescribed orthopaedic postoperative medications, with prescribing options preserved.
How to Use This List
This is a reference list, not a personal prescription. You may receive only some of these medications. If two options are listed, they are alternatives, not instructions to take both.
Follow your discharge instructions and prescription labels to determine which medications to take, how much to take and when to take them.
"Tablets supplied" describes the number of pills in a prescription, not the number to take at one time.
Very Important If You Already Take a Blood Thinner
Our team reviews existing medications carefully, but errors can occur. If you already take a long-term blood thinner, such as apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or warfarin, do not add aspirin or another blood thinner to your current regimen without confirming the plan with your surgical team.
Do not independently stop your usual medication.
1. Pain Relief – Non-Opioid Medications
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – Two Options
Option 1:
- 500 mg tablets; 100 tablets supplied.
- Take 2 tablets (1,000 mg) by mouth every 8 hours on a regular schedule for the first 3 days after surgery.
- After that, take 2 tablets every 8 hours as needed for pain.
Option 2:
- 325 mg tablets; 100 tablets supplied.
- Take 2 tablets (650 mg) by mouth every 6 hours as needed for pain.
Choose only the tablet strength prescribed for you. Do not take both options together.
Suzetrigine (Journavx)
- 50 mg tablets; 30 tablets supplied.
- Take 1 tablet by mouth every 12 hours.
Loading-dose clarification: Journavx normally begins with a 100 mg loading dose. At Mammoth Hospital and Northern Inyo Hospital, the initial loading dose is commonly administered while you are at the facility. Confirm your first dose at home using your discharge instructions. Do not repeat the initial dose unless instructed.
2. Pain Relief – Opioid Medications
Oxycodone
- 5 mg tablets; quantity to be determined.
- Take 1 tablet by mouth every 6 hours as needed for pain.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Meloxicam (Mobic) – Two Options
Option 1:
- Take 7.5 mg by mouth once daily for 28 days.
Option 2:
- Take 15 mg by mouth once daily for 28 days.
Take with food.
Meloxicam belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Take only the dose selected by your surgical team.
4. Corticosteroid Medication
Dexamethasone
- 4 mg tablets.
- Take 1 tablet by mouth once daily for 4 days.
- Begin the morning after surgery and take with food.
Prescribing consideration: Your clinician may decide not to prescribe this medication for patients with diabetes or those older than 75.
5. Antibiotics – Infection Prevention
Cephalexin (Keflex)
- 500 mg capsules.
- Take 1 capsule by mouth four times daily for 3 days.
Cefadroxil
- 500 mg tablets or capsules.
- Take 1 tablet or capsule by mouth twice daily for 7 days.
Doxycycline
- 100 mg tablets or capsules.
- Take 1 tablet or capsule by mouth twice daily for 14 days.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim Double Strength)
- 800 mg sulfamethoxazole / 160 mg trimethoprim per tablet.
- Take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily for 7 days.
- Alternative antibiotic when indicated because of an allergy.
Clindamycin
- 300 mg capsules.
- Take 1 capsule by mouth every 6 hours for 7 days.
- Alternative antibiotic.
6. Blood Clot Prevention
Aspirin
- 81 mg tablets.
- Take 2 tablets (162 mg total) by mouth once daily.
- Prescription may provide up to a 30-day supply.
Duration options:
- Sports medicine procedures: 14 days.
- Joint replacement surgery: 28–30 days.
- Alternative regimen: 21 days.
Begin the morning after surgery (the first postoperative day).
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- 40 mg.
- Inject 40 mg under the skin once daily for 14 days.
7. Medication to Reduce Bleeding
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) – Two Options
Option 1:
- 650 mg tablets.
- Take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily for 7 days.
Option 2:
- 650 mg tablets.
- Take 2 tablets by mouth three times daily for 3 days.
Prescribing consideration: The original protocol included withholding this medication for patients already taking long-term blood thinners when requested by the hospital-based medical team. Your surgical team determines whether it is appropriate for you.
8. Nerve-Related Pain Medication
Gabapentin
- 300 mg capsules.
- Take 1 capsule by mouth at bedtime for 7 days.
- Begin the night of surgery.
Prescribing consideration: Your clinician may withhold or adjust this medication for abnormal kidney function or for patients older than 75.
9. Muscle Relaxant
Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
- 750 mg tablets; 15 tablets supplied.
- Take 1 tablet by mouth up to three times daily as needed for muscle spasm.
10. Medication for Nausea
Ondansetron (Zofran)
- 4 mg tablets; 12 tablets supplied.
- Take 1 tablet by mouth every 8 hours as needed for nausea or vomiting.
- May be prescribed as a regular tablet or an orally disintegrating tablet (a tablet that dissolves on your tongue).
11. Stomach Protection
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
- 20 mg capsules.
- Take 1 capsule by mouth once daily for 14 days.
Prescribing consideration: In the original protocol, this medication is not prescribed when both meloxicam and dexamethasone are not being used.
12. Constipation Prevention
Docusate Sodium (Colace)
- 100 mg capsules; 30 capsules supplied.
- Take 1 capsule by mouth twice daily as needed for constipation.
Questions About Your Medication Plan?
Contact your orthopaedic team:
Mammoth Hospital Orthopedics:
Northern Inyo Orthopedics:
If your instructions conflict or you are unsure whether to combine medications, ask your surgeon or pharmacist before taking the dose.
This patient-friendly list translates a consolidated prescribing reference. It is not an instruction to take every medication listed and does not replace personalized discharge orders.
For explanations of medication purposes, precautions, side effects, and warning signs., see the Postoperative Medications.
