ERCP: What It Is, How It Works, and What Medications You Need to Know

When your doctor talks about ERCP, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography is a procedure that lets doctors see and treat problems in your bile and pancreatic ducts. Also known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, it’s not just a test—it’s a tool that can remove gallstones, open blocked ducts, or place stents to keep things flowing. If you’ve been told you need one, you’re not alone. Thousands of people get ERCP every year to fix issues that meds alone can’t touch.

But ERCP doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s tied to other conditions and drugs you might be taking. For example, if you’re on ACE inhibitors, medications used to lower blood pressure and protect kidney function, your potassium levels could shift during or after the procedure. Or if you’re taking statins, cholesterol-lowering drugs that can interact with other substances in unexpected ways, you’ll need to know whether your liver and muscles are ready for the stress of ERCP. Even something as simple as licorice, a common candy that can raise blood pressure and interfere with heart meds—yes, that candy—could mess with your body’s response. ERCP isn’t just about the scope and the X-rays. It’s about how your whole medication list plays into the procedure.

And then there’s the aftercare. Some people go home the same day. Others need monitoring because of side effects like pancreatitis, infection, or bleeding. That’s why knowing which drugs to pause, which to keep, and which to watch closely matters. If you’re on antiretroviral therapy, medications for HIV that have dozens of dangerous interactions, or if you’re taking beta blockers, heart meds that slow your pulse and can mask warning signs during recovery, your care team needs to be fully aware. ERCP isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure. Your meds make it unique to you.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a practical guide to the real-world connections between ERCP and the medications people are already taking. From how to avoid dangerous interactions with common drugs, to what to eat before and after, to how to spot early signs of trouble—you’ll see how this one procedure ties into broader health decisions. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what you need to know to stay safe, informed, and in control.