Short answer: Often yes — temporarily, and with your doctor’s guidance. If a GLP-1 drug gives you vomiting or diarrhea and you can’t keep fluids down, a water pill (diuretic) can pull out even more fluid and strain your kidneys. Many clinicians advise a “sick-day plan” to briefly hold the diuretic (and a few other medicines) until you’re eating and drinking normally. Set this up before you get sick — and never make it a permanent change on your own.
Why this matters. GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you’re losing fluid and taking a diuretic — whose whole job is to remove fluid — the two effects add up. Less fluid means less blood flow to the kidneys, which can cause a temporary kidney injury (prerenal AKI). Holding the diuretic during a short illness helps protect the kidneys.
The “sick-day” medicines. Diuretics aren’t the only ones. Many clinicians advise temporarily holding this group during vomiting, diarrhea, or any illness where you can’t keep fluids down:
- Diuretics / water pills (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and others)
- ACE inhibitors / ARBs (-pril / -sartan)
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
- sometimes SGLT2 inhibitors (which have their own sick-day rule)
- metformin, in some plans
A simple plan (personalize it with your doctor):
- Trigger: vomiting, diarrhea, or not keeping fluids down for more than a day — or clear dehydration (dizziness, dark/low urine).
- Action: hold the medicines on your agreed list, sip fluids or oral rehydration, and rest.
- Restart: resume your normal medicines once you’re eating and drinking normally — as your doctor advised.
- Escalate: call your clinic if you can’t keep any fluids down, are barely urinating, or feel very unwell.
Important cautions.
- This is about short illnesses, not stopping a medicine long-term. Diuretics are important for conditions like heart failure, so do not stop yours permanently or without medical advice — that can be dangerous too.
- Write it down. Keep a small card listing which medicines to hold and who to call, so you’re not deciding while you feel awful.
Bottom line. During a short bout of vomiting or diarrhea on a GLP-1, temporarily holding your diuretic (and certain other medicines) — as agreed with your doctor — is a common, kidney-protective step. Plan it in advance; don’t improvise a permanent change.
Related: Is dehydration from Zepbound dangerous for my kidneys? and Tirzepatide and Your Kidneys.
Related questions
How long do I hold my water pill? Usually just for the duration of the illness — until you’re eating and drinking normally again. Your doctor gives you the exact plan; don’t extend it on your own.
What if I take my diuretic for heart failure? Be extra careful and get specific guidance in advance — holding it briefly during dehydration may still be advised, but heart-failure patients need an individualized plan, not a generic one.
Do I stop the GLP-1 too when I’m sick? Often the weekly GLP-1 is continued while the other medicines are held, but this should be individualized — ask your prescriber.
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Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Amir S. Naderi, MD, FASN. Last updated: July 8, 2026. Educational information only — not medical advice. Never change or stop a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor.