Dehydration can cause harm to patients taking certain medication. Illnesses that predispose patients to dehydration include diarrhoea, vomiting, fever as well as reduced oral intake. Certain medications cause an increased risk of dehydration and a consequent acute kidney injury (AKI) and so should be temporarily stopped. A useful acronym to remember these medications by is the “DAMN drugs”
D – diuretics
A – ACE Inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers
M – Metformin/SGLT2 inhibitors
N – NSAIDs (prescribed and purchased over-the-counter. Not including low-dose aspirin)
Generally, these medications can be re-started 24-48 hours after the patient is well again and eating and drinking normally. However, each patient needs an individualised plan depending on their condition and the medication they are taking.
There is information on Remedy outlining the above with useful resources detailing information on sick day rules relevant to specific medical conditions which you may find helpful.
There is also information on the Clinical Toolkit with links to information on sick day rules specific to patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.