Are you feeling sick with symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea? If so, your body is at risk of becoming dehydrated.

Some medicines can worsen this side effect and temporarily worsen your kidney function when you are sick.

If you are sick and unable to drink enough fluids to keep hydrated, STOP taking the following medicines:

Be careful not to take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (which are commonly found in pain medicines (e.g. Advil and cold remedies).

If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels more often when you are sick. If they run too low or too high, contact a health-care professional such as your pharmacist or doctor.

Restart the medicines when you are well (after eating and drinking normally for 24-48 hours). If you are unsure about the safety of your medicines, please contact your Kidney (Renal) Health Clinic.

Modified from the Canadian Diabetes Association & Scottish Patient Safety Programme.