Medicine Sick Day Rules

If you are sick with vomiting, diarrhoea, or a fever, you might need to stop taking some of your medicines for a little while. These medicines can make them feel worse when they are sick.

When to STOP Taking Medicines

• If you have vomiting or diarrhoea (unless it's just a little bit)
• If you have a fever, sweats or shaking (unless it's just a little bit)

Medicines to STOP on sick Days

• ACE inhibitors - medicines ending in 'pril' e.g. Ramipril, Captopril, Enalapril, Fosinopril, Imidapril, Lisinopril, Perindopril, Quinapril, Trandolapril
• ARBs - medicines ending in 'sartan' e.g. Losartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan
• Diuretics (water pills) - e.g. Bumetanide, Furosemide, Indapamide, Bendroflumethiazide, Eplerenone, Spironolactone, Coamilofruse, Co-amilozide, Co-flumactone, Co-tenidone, Torasemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Amiloride, Triamterene, Chlortalidone, Cotriamterzide, Cyclopenthiazide, Metolazone, Xipamide
• Oral NSAIDS (anti-inflammatories) - e.g. Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Indometacin, Ketoprofen, Mefenamic acid, Meloxicam, Nabumetone, Piroxicam, Sulindac, Tenoxicam, Tiaprofenic acid, Etodolac, Etoricoxib, Flurbiprofen, Aceclofenac, Acemetacin, Celecoxib, Dexketoprofen, High dose aspirin (not including 75mg dose)
• Some Diabetes Medicines - Metformin, Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin, Ertugliflozin

You may also have other medicines from a specialist that affect your immune system. These might include medicines like DMARDS, biologics, JAK inhibitors, or chemotherapy agents. Usually, these are stopped if you have an infection, but you should talk to your specialist about it.

When to Restart Medicines

You should start taking medicines again when you feel better and have been eating and drinking normally for 24 to 48 hours.