Medicines and dehydration
Medicine sick day guidance This page contains important information about when to stop some of your medicines if you become dehydrated. This is also known as ‘medicine sick day guidance’. Some medicines, when you are dehydrated, can lead to your kidneys not working properly (known as Acute Kidney Injury or AKI) or they can make your dehydration worse.
What is dehydration?
Dehydration is the loss of fluid from your body due to vomiting, diarrhoea or fever (high temperature, sweats, shaking).
If you are sick once or have diarrhoea once, then you are unlikely to become dehydrated. Having 2 or more episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea can lead to dehydration - in these cases, you should follow the advice provided in this page.
What should I do if I become dehydrated?
If you experience any of the symptoms below, you should temporarily stop taking any of the medicines your healthcare professionals suggested to help protect your kidneys.
- Diarrhoea or sickness (unless only once)
- High temperature or a fever
- Passing much less urine than normal
- Any causes that decrease your intake of fluids
It is very important that you start taking your medicines again once you have recovered from your illness. You can start taking your regular medicines 24 to 48 hours after eating and drinking normally. When you restart your medicines, take your normal doses; do not try to catch up on missed doses. If you have any queries about when to restart your medication, please ask your GP, pharmacist or practice nurse.
If you remain unwell for more than 48 hours, seek advice from your GP.
Medicines
ACE inhibitors - medication names ending with ‘pril’
Such as: Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Perindopril, Ramipril
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers - medication names ending with ‘artan’
Such as: Candesartan, Irbesartan, Losartan, Valsartan
Water tablets
Such as: Furosemide, Bumetanide, Bendroflumethiazide, Indapamide, Spironolactone, Eplerenone, Metolazone
Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
Such as: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac
SGL2i
Such as: Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin, canagliflozin.
GLP1 receptor agonists
Such as Semaglutide/Ozempic or Wegovy, Tirzepatide/Mounjaro
Non steroidal MRA antagonists
Such as: Finerenone
Dual endothelin and angiotensin 11 receptor antagonists:
Such as Sparsentan Other
Medicine sick day guidance
When you are unwell with any of the following:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea (unless minor)
- Fevers, sweats and shaking
Stop taking the medicines advised by your healthcare professionals.
Restart when you are well (24 to 48 hours after eating and drinking normally).
If you are in any doubt, contact your pharmacist, GP or practice nurse.
Keep this information to hand and your medicines for future reference.