You can become dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhoea or fever (high temperature, sweats, shaking). If you are sick or have diarrhoea once, then you are unlikely to become dehydrated. Having two or more episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea or having a prolonged fever can lead to dehydration. Taking certain medicines when you are dehydrated can result in you developing a more serious illness.
Medicines that make dehydration more likely are:
- Diuretics Sometimes called "water pills" eg Furosemide, spironolactone, bendroflumethiazide
Medicines that can stop your kidneys working if you are dehydrated are:
- ACE inhibitors Medicine names ending in "pril" eg Lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril
- ARBs Medicine names ending in "sartan" eg Losartan, candesartan, valsartan
- DRIs Medicine working on the kidneys eg Aliskiren
- NSAIDs Anti-inflammatory pain killers eg Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen
Medicines that make you more likely to have a side effect called lactic acidosis if dehydrated are:
- Metformin A medicine for diabetes
Medicines that make you more likely to have a side effect called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) if dehydrated are:
- SGLT2's Medicine names ending in "gliflozin" eg Canaglifozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin
"Medicine Sick Day Guidance"
If you develop a dehydrating illness, then it is important that you discuss your condition with a medical professional. This may be your GP, Nurse or Pharmacist. You may be advised to discontinue taking medications which lower your blood pressure for a short time and a blood test will be arranged to check your kidney function. Remember to keep drinking small amounts of fluid regularly on your sick days too. If you are only passing small amounts of urine you may need Admission to hospital and you should alert your GP or Out of hours service to this.
I ……………………………………………… am on the following medications that put me at risk of acute kidney injury/lactic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) if I am dehydrated:
Please cut out the alert card below and place in your wallet
"Medicine Sick Day Guidance" Alert Card
When you are unwell with any of the following:Vomiting and diarrhoea (unless very minor),Fevers, sweats and shaking
Contact a medical professional, this may be your GP, Nurse or Pharmacist.
If advised, STOP taking the medicines highlighted overleaf.
Restart when you are well (usually 24-48 hours of eating + drinking normally)
Medicines that need medical advice if you are ill:
- ACE inhibitors Medicines ending in "pril" eg. Lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril
- ARBs Medicines ending in "sartan" eg. Candesartan, losartan, valsartan
- Diuretics Sometimes called "Water pills" eg. Furosemide, spironolactone, bendroflumethiazide, indapamide
- DRIs Aliskiren
- NSAID Anti-inflammatory pain killers eg. Ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac
- Metformin
- SGLT2 inhibitors Medicines ending in "gliflozin"eg. Canagliflozin, dapaglifozin