Type 2 Diabetes Sick Day Rules
- Stay hydrated: Drink at least 100mls of water (or any other sugar-free drink) every hour.
- Do not stop eating: You must maintain your carbohydrate intake
- If you are unable to eat or drink or if you are vomiting: Replace meals with sugary fluids or ice cream
Diabetic Medications to Stop When Unwell
- ACE inhibitors: names ending in ‘pril’ - examples: lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril. A medicine for high blood pressure and heart conditions. If you are dehydrated, these medicines can stop your kidneys working properly.
- ARBs: names ending in ‘sartan’ - examples: losartan, candesartan, valsartan. A medicine for high blood pressure and heart conditions. If you are dehydrated, these medicines can stop your kidneys working properly.
- Diuretics: sometimes called ‘water pills’ - examples: furosemide, bendroflumethiazide, indapamide, spironolactone. Used for excess fluid and high blood pressure. These medicines can make dehydration more likely.
- NSAIDs: anti-inflammatory pain killers - examples: ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac. If you are dehydrated, these medicines can stop your kidneys working properly.
- Metformin: a medicine for diabetes. Dehydration can make it more likely that you will develop a serious side effect called lactic acidosis.
- SGLT2 inhibitors: names ending in ‘flozin’ - examples: canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, ertugliflozin. A medication used in the treatment of Diabetes, Kidney disease or Heart Failure. These medicines can make dehydration more likely and if you have diabetes can cause acid to build up if you are unwell.
Restart your medication when you are well (normally after 24 to 48 hours of eating and drinking normally). When you restart your medicine, just take them as normal.
If you are on insulin never stop insulin. You may have to adjust the dose. Call the surgery for advice.
The Know Diabetes (KD) service is helping people with diabetes and those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to live their lives to the full.
Scan the QR code to visit the website for Know Diabetes, or click this link: https://www.knowdiabetes.org.uk/
Gestational Diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- Did you know that if you have previously been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes you have an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes?
- If you have a previous history of (or currently have) Gestational Diabetes you may be eligible for your local Healthier You service
- This service will help you take control of your health by supporting you to make changes to your lifestyle, diet and physical activity – all designed to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes
- Scan the QR code to register for the service, or click this link https://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/gestational-diabetes/#register
