Diabetes Information – Sick Day Rules

This information also applies to any other patients taking the medications listed below for diagnoses other than Diabetes

• When you are unwell with repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, or fever with sweats and shaking … STOP taking the medicines listed below
• Contact your GP, pharmacist or named nurse
• You may need to carry out blood glucose and ketone checks and have a blood test in the lab organised by your GP
• Restart these medications when eating and drinking normally after 24-48 hours or as advised by your GP
• If on insulin seek medical advice regarding dose adjustment if uncertain – but never stop insulin

Diabetes and other medicines to stop temporarily – please call the surgery and speak with a GP

• Metformin
• SGLT2 inhibitors: names ending in ‘flozin’ e.g. canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin
• GLP1 analogues (injectable): names ending in ‘tide’ – e.g. liraglutide, dulaglutide, lixisenatide
• ACE inhibitors: names ending in ‘pril’ – e.g. Ramipril, Lisinopril, perindopril
• ARBs: names ending in ‘sartan’ – e.g. – candesartan, losartan, Irbesartan
• NSAIDS: anti-inflammatory pain killers – e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac
• Diuretics: ‘water pills’ – e.g. – frusemide, bendrofluazide, indapimide, bumetanide

For more information about keeping well – please see the leaflets below for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

T1 Leaflet

T2 Leaflet

If you have any queries, please call us.