The "SADMAN" rule every patient should know

If you develop vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, or dehydration while taking certain medications, there are situations where temporarily pausing them may help reduce the risk of kidney injury and other serious complications. In this video, Dr David Stokes explains the medical memory trick doctors use called the “SADMAN” rule — a simple acronym used to remember which medicines may need special consideration during dehydrating illnesses. This video covers: • What the SADMAN rule means • Why dehydration can affect your kidneys and blood pressure • Which medications may need temporarily stopping during illness • When to restart them • Important warning signs that need urgent medical attention The SADMAN acronym commonly refers to: • SGLT2 inhibitors (for example dapagliflozin, empagliflozin) - drugs ending "flozin" • ACE inhibitors (for example ramipril, lisinopril) - drugs ending "pril" • Diuretics / water tablets • Metformin • ARBs (for example losartan, candesartan) - drugs ending "sartan" • NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen These are often called “sick day rules” or “sick day guidance”. IMPORTANT: This video is for general educational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice. Do not stop medications permanently without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist. Different patients and conditions require different advice. In general, seek medical advice urgently if you: • Cannot keep fluids down • Become confused or very drowsy • Pass very little urine • Have chest pain or shortness of breath • Have blood in vomit or stool • Have diabetes and become increasingly unwell, especially with high blood sugars or ketones If you found this helpful, please consider sharing it — particularly with friends or relatives who take these medications. Subscribe for more practical health advice focused on prevention, safer prescribing, and staying healthier after 40. Further NHS information and patient leaflets: • NHS England Sick Day Rules leaflet: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content... • NHS advice on diarrhoea and vomiting: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/diarrhoea... • NHS advice on dehydration: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydra... • NHS patient guidance on Medicine Sick Day Rules: https://www.stlawrencesurgery-worthin...  #SADMAN #SickDayRules #KidneyHealth #Dehydration #MedicationSafety #Diabetes #Metformin #SGLT2 #GP #BetterHealthAfter40