Medicine Sick Day Rules

What to do when you are unwell

You may be prescribed one or more medicines that you should temporarily stop if you suffer from vomiting, diarrhoea or fever.

When you are unwell with any of the following:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea (unless only minor)
• Fevers, sweats and shaking (unless only minor)

Then STOP taking the medicines listed below.

• Restart when you are well (after 24 to 48 hours of eating and drinking normally)
• If you are in any doubt, or if your symptoms do not settle after 48 hours, please contact the surgery for advice about these medicines from the doctor.

Medicines to STOP on Sick Days

The list below is not exhaustive as you may also be prescribed medicines that were initiated by a specialist that suppress your immune system (immunosuppressants). This could include DMARDS, biologics, JAK inhibitors or chemotherapy agents. These are usually stopped if you have an infection but you should speak to your specialist centre about this.

• 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 the 75mg dose)
• Some Diabetes Medicines: Metformin, Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin, Ertugliflozin

If you have any questions or concerns please telephone the Surgery and ask to speak to a member of the Medicines Management Team.