Taking certain medicines when you are dehydrated or very unwell can result in you developing a more serious illness.
If you are unwell (i.e., too unwell to go to work or carry out normal daily activities) and especially if you have vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever, you should temporarily stop taking the medicines listed below.
Once you are better and can drink normally you should re-start your medicine(s). If you remain unwell after 48 hours seek medical advice from your GP/Pharmacist/NHS 111/Specialist Nurse.
Medicines involved:
ACE inhibitors
- Risk if taken when dehydrated – When dehydrated these medicines may impair kidney function which could lead to kidney failure.
- Examples – Medicines ending in ‘pril’ Ramipril, lisinopril, perindopril
ARBs
- Examples – Medicines ending in ‘sartan’ – losartan
Diuretics
- Sometimes called water pills – Bendroflumethiazide, furosemide, indapamide, spironolactone, bumetanide
NSAIDs
- Examples – Ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac
Metformin
- Risk if taken when dehydrated – Risk of lactic acidosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect of metformin.
SGLT2 Inhibitors
- Risk if taken when dehydrated – Increased risk of developing euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis
- Examples – Names ending in ‘flozin’ dapagliflozin, empagliflozin,