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Kidney Stone Centre

Shockwave Lithotripsy: Contraindications to Shockwave Lithotripsy

To make sure that shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is absolutely safe, patients with the following conditions should not undergo SWL. If you have any of the following, please notify your physician prior to going for SWL:

  • Urinary infections must be eliminated with an antibiotic before SWL can be performed.
  • Blood thinners and aspirin-like drugs must be stopped before SWL can be performed, in order to minimize the risk of bleeding. If you suspect that you are taking any of these drugs, speak to your urologist.
    • Aspirin or ASA must be stopped seven to 10 days before SWL.
    • NSAIDs or aspirin-like drugs, including indomethacin, Indocid, ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen, Naprosyn, Anaprox, ketorolac, Toradol, diclofenac, Voltaren and other drugs used for the treatment of arthritis, must be stopped two to three days before SWL.
    • Blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) must be stopped at least four days prior to SWL, but only under the supervision of a physician.
  • Pregnancy is a case in which SWL is unsafe, and women who are pregnant or who might be pregnant should notify their urologist so that a different treatment plan can be developed.
  • Severe high blood pressure can cause bleeding with SWL, and so blood pressure must be controlled with appropriate medication before treatment can occur.