24-hour clear liquid diet before anesthesia for people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists

Protective Benefits of a Clear Liquid Diet on Residual Gastric Content in Patients Taking Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Prior to Anesthesia

Not applicable Interventional The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · NCT06654219

This trial will test whether switching to a clear liquid diet for 24 hours before upper endoscopy reduces leftover stomach contents in people taking GLP-1 receptor agonist medications.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment136 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Academic / other
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT06654219 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study enrolls patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists who are scheduled for upper endoscopy and randomizes them to prolonged fasting from solids with a 24-hour clear liquid diet versus standard NPO instructions. Residual gastric content will be measured by preoperative gastric ultrasound and by direct visualization during endoscopy, with serial ultrasound scans every two hours for subjects with initially at-risk scans. The study also tracks patient symptoms (thirst, hunger, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and pain), anesthesia choices, adverse events, and whether duration of GLP-1 RA therapy relates to gastric contents. The trial is conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults taking GLP-1 receptor agonists who are scheduled for upper endoscopy and can tolerate ultrasound and positional changes are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with prior gastric surgery or bypass, gastric band, fundoplication, large hiatal hernia, known gastroparesis, pregnancy, recent trauma, or those taking excluded prokinetic or opioid medications were excluded and are unlikely to benefit from these fasting instructions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce the amount of residual stomach contents and lower aspiration risk for patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing anesthesia.

How similar studies have performed: Prior evidence indicates GLP-1 receptor agonists can slow gastric emptying, but randomized comparisons of prolonged clear liquid diets before anesthesia in this population are limited, so the approach is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients taking Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor (GLP-1 RA) agonists
* Undergoing upper endoscopy only - no colonoscopy due to prep

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous gastric resection or bypass
* Gastric band in situ
* Previous fundoplication
* Large hiatal hernia
* Pregnant patients
* Recent trauma
* Inability to turn to the right lateral decubitus position.
* Patients on erythromycin, metoclopramide, domperidone, opioids.
* Gastroparesis previous

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pulmonary AspirationGlucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptorfull stomach
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.