Keep the prescriber involved
Acupuncture is commonly sought as a complementary approach, particularly for pain. Tell the practitioner about your medicines, diagnoses and treating clinicians; tell those clinicians that you are considering acupuncture. Do not stop or reduce a prescribed treatment because an appointment is scheduled. If a symptom changes, your usual clinician may need to evaluate the cause and adjust care.
Separate needles from products
The interaction question is different for an acupuncture procedure and an oral herbal or homeopathic product. NCCIH and NIH's supplement office warn that some botanicals can interact with drugs and that products may contain active ingredients or contaminants. Ask for the exact product name and ingredients before taking anything, especially if you use anticoagulants, fertility medicines or treatment for a chronic condition.
Ask about procedural risks
Disclose medications that affect bleeding and any implanted device before electroacupuncture is proposed. The practitioner and your medical clinician can discuss whether modifications or another option are appropriate. A blanket answer that acupuncture is always safe with all medication would ignore individual circumstances.
Questions and answers
Should I stop medicine before acupuncture?
Keep prescribed medicines as directed and ask the prescribing clinician before changing them. Share the full list with the acupuncture practitioner.