You may be prescribed one or more medicines that you should temporarily stop if you suffer from vomiting, diarrhoea or fever.
Medicines and Dehydration "Medicine Sick Day Rules"
Dehydration is the loss of fluid from your body. Vomiting, diarrhoea and fever (high temperature, sweats, shaking) can make you dehydrated.
If you are sick once or have diarrhoea once, then you are unlikely to become dehydrated. Having two or more episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea can lead to dehydration: in these cases, you should follow the advice in this leaflet.
Taking certain medicines when you are dehydrated can result in you developing a more serious illness and increase the risk of kidney damage.
Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
When you are unwell with any of the following:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea (unless only minor)
- Fever, sweats and shaking (unless only minor)
Temporarily stop taking the medicines listed below, and any other medicine identified by your health professional
- Restart the medication when you are well (after 24 to 48 hours of eating and drinking normally)
- If you are in any doubt, or if your symptoms do not settle after 48 hours, please check with your GP or pharmacist for advice
Medicines to stop on Sick Days*:
- ACE inhibitors (used for blood pressure and heart conditions): Medicine names ending in 'pril' e.g. Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Perindopril, Ramipril
- ARBs (used for blood pressure and heart conditions): Medicine names ending in 'sartan' e.g. candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, valsartan
- Diuretics ("water pills" for excess fluid and high blood pressure): e.g. bumetanide, furosemide, bendroflumethiazide, indapamide, eplerenone, spironolactone
- NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory pain killers): e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, etoricoxib, high dose aspirin (not including the 75mg dose)
- Some Diabetes Medicines: Metformin: includes slow release e.g. Sukkarto SR
SGLT2's: medicine names ending in 'gliflozin' e.g. canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin
* This list is not exhaustive - if you are unsure whether your medicine belongs to one of these groups, please ask your pharmacist or doctor. If you are on any specialist medicines you should speak to your specialist centre about these and follow the advice they give you e.g. DMARDS, biologics, chemotherapy agents.
This advice supports national guidance on the prevention of kidney problems.
Updated 13.03.2024
Adapted from Health Improvement Scotland Leaflet, Medicines and Dehydration.
ihub.scot/media/1401/20180424-web-medicine-sick-day-rules-patient-leaflet-web-v20.pdf (EXTERNAL PDF LINK)
www.thinkkidneys.nhs.uk