A pharmacist has issued a warning to people on specific medications, including those taken for blood pressure and diabetes, as they could pose a danger if you catch the flu
Some medication can have complications when you’re ill (stock photo)
It’s officially flu season and there are many illnesses going around that are leaving people under the weather – and in some cases, even bedridden. No one likes feeling ill, but according to one pharmacist, you could actually be in greater danger because of the regular medicines you take.
Anum, a clinical pharmacist in the UK, shared a video on TikTok in which she explained that for people who take certain medications, continuing to take them when you have an illness that causes vomiting, diarrhoea, or a fever can have a huge impact on your kidneys – and could make you very ill.
These medications include ACE inhibitors taken for blood pressure, such as ramipril, diuretics like furosemide, and metformin, which is used to help treat diabetes.
She said: “There are some medications that require you to temporarily stop them in the event that you become unwell with diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and/or you’re not able to keep any fluids down. The reason for this is to prevent the likelihood of you developing acute kidney injury.
“Medications that fall under this criteria include things like ACE inhibitors, which we commonly prescribe for blood pressure, and include things like ramipril and lisinopril. Also commonly prescribed diabetic medications, such as metformin. Stopping these during acute periods of illness will reduce the likelihood of you having any damage to your kidneys.”
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In the caption of her video, the pharmacist highlighted all the types of medications that can cause kidney problems if taken when you’re experiencing severe illness.
They include: SGLT2 inhibitors like dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, diuretics like furosemide, ARBs including losartan, candesartan, and even NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen.
Anum emphasised that if you do stop taking these medications for a short period of time, they should be restarted only after you’ve felt better and are eating and drinking normally for at least 24 to 48 hours.
Most importantly, however, you should consult your GP or pharmacist before making any changes to your medication, including stopping it and starting it again.
She added: “Don’t stop insulin or essential meds without advice. Always ask your pharmacist or GP if unsure!”
Anum’s advice is echoed by the NHS, which refers to it as the “sick day rules”. The NHS guidelines state the advice does “not apply to minor sickness and diarrhoea, meaning single episodes happening only once in a period of time”, but is instead meant to advise on longer periods of illness.
They state: “Fluid loss and dehydration can be a significant risk to patients taking certain medicines, particularly when intercurrent illness is present with existing medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or chronic kidney disease.
“Dehydration, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and complications of diabetes can be reduced by applying sick day rules for certain medications during acute severe intercurrent illness.”
Always consult your GP before making changes to your medication.