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When we think of hydration, most of us imagine a glass of water — simple, clear, and essential. But staying truly hydrated is more complex than just drinking plain water. It involves a delicate balance of fluids and electrolytes — minerals that help regulate nearly every function in your body.
Whether you’re trying to feel more energised, improve focus, or manage your weight with medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy, hydration plays a critical supporting role. Let’s explore why.
💧 The Science of Hydration
Your body is about 60% water, and that water is constantly moving — through your blood, cells, organs and out via sweat, breath, and urine. To function properly, your body needs not just enough water, but the right concentration of salts and minerals (electrolytes) to keep everything in balance.
Key electrolytes include:
- Sodium – regulates fluid balance and blood pressure
- Potassium – supports muscle and nerve function
- Magnesium – involved in energy production and stress regulation
- Chloride – works with sodium for fluid balance
- Calcium – essential for bone strength and cellular signalling
If you drink too little, your body becomes dehydrated. But drinking too much plain water can also be a problem, especially during exercise or while using medications that suppress appetite — it can dilute your electrolytes, leading to fatigue, cramps, or even dizziness.
🧂 Why Electrolytes Matter – Especially When Losing Weight
When people start on weight loss injections like Wegovy (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide), it’s common to experience side effects such as:
- Reduced appetite
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Changes in bowel habits
These side effects can cause people to eat or drink less than usual, which can unintentionally disrupt hydration and electrolyte balance.
Hydration isn’t just about avoiding thirst — it plays a role in:
- Fat metabolism (your liver needs water to break down fat)
- Appetite regulation (we often mistake thirst for hunger)
- Energy levels and mood
- Constipation prevention (a common side effect of GLP-1s)
🍋 Hydration Helpers – More Than Just Water
This is where products like Vidrate come in. Vidrate combines:
- Natural fruit flavours
- Essential electrolytes
- Added vitamins (like B12 for energy and C for immunity)
- No added sugar
It’s a great alternative to sugary drinks and helps you hydrate more effectively — especially helpful if your appetite is low but you still need nourishment and hydration.
🌿 You can find our Vidrate collection here for 24/7 Collection at our Neath Stores
🥤 Tips to Stay Hydrated and Balanced
- Sip, don’t gulp – regular small drinks are better than chugging water in one go
- Hydrate with purpose – use herbal teas, electrolyte drinks, or infused waters
- Eat your water – foods like cucumber, melon, and leafy greens all contain fluid
- Balance salts – especially if you sweat a lot or are eating less
- Check your wee! – pale yellow = hydrated; dark yellow = drink more!
💡 Did You Know?
Even mild dehydration (just 1–2% loss of body weight in fluids) can affect:
- Mood
- Memory
- Reaction times
- Physical performance
Hydration isn’t just for athletes — it’s part of your whole health, every day
Common Medications That Affect Hydration and Electrolyte Balance
🔄
1. Diuretics (“Water tablets”)
These increase urination and are commonly used for high blood pressure, heart failure, or fluid retention.
They can cause dehydration and loss of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
Examples:
- Furosemide (loop diuretic)
- Bendroflumethiazide (thiazide)
- Spironolactone (potassium-sparing – can raise potassium)
⚠️ Risks:
- Low potassium (hypokalaemia) → cramps, weakness, arrhythmias
- Low sodium (hyponatraemia) → confusion, fatigue
- Low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia)
🩺
2. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Used for weight loss or diabetes (e.g. Wegovy, Mounjaro, Ozempic), these can reduce appetite and food/fluid intake, especially early on.
⚠️ Risks:
- Reduced oral intake → subtle dehydration
- Gastrointestinal side effects → vomiting or diarrhoea → fluid & electrolyte loss
✅ Advice: Encourage patients to sip fluids regularly and consider electrolyte support (like Vidrate) during early treatment weeks.
💊
3. Laxatives
Especially stimulant or osmotic laxatives like:
- Senna, Bisacodyl
- Lactulose, Movicol
Used for constipation but may cause fluid and electrolyte losses if overused.
⚠️ Risks:
- Hypokalaemia
- Dehydration
- Long-term use can lead to dependence and worsening constipation
💉
4. Corticosteroids
Examples: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone
They can affect sodium and water retention, causing fluid overload and potassium loss.
⚠️ Risks:
- High blood pressure
- Swelling (oedema)
- Muscle weakness from low potassium
💗
5. ACE Inhibitors / ARBs
Used for high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney protection (e.g. Ramipril, Losartan).
⚠️ Risks:
- High potassium (especially when combined with potassium-sparing diuretics or supplements)
- Dehydration risk in elderly or if used with diuretics
🧠
6. Antipsychotics and SSRIs
Examples: Olanzapine, Risperidone, Sertraline, Citalopram
Some may cause Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) leading to low sodium (hyponatraemia).
⚠️ Symptoms:
- Confusion, drowsiness, nausea
- Severe cases: seizures
🌡️
7. Chemotherapy / Cancer Drugs
Many cancer treatments can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and changes in kidney function, all of which affect hydration and electrolytes.
⚠️ Close monitoring and fluid replacement is often needed.
🧬
8. SGLT2 Inhibitors
(e.g. Empagliflozin, Dapagliflozin)
Used for diabetes and heart failure — cause the kidneys to lose glucose and water through urine.
⚠️ Risks:
- Dehydration, especially in hot weather or when unwell
- UTIs
- May contribute to electrolyte changes
💬 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re on a weight loss journey, navigating hormonal changes, or simply want to feel your best — staying hydrated is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to support your body.
At The Health Dispensary, we’re here to help with practical, personalised support — from prescribing to natural wellness products like Vidrate.
🔗 Learn more about our private weight loss prescribing service
🛒 BUY Vidrate Hydration Sachets Now and Collect 24/7 from our Neath Stores
#FeelGoodLiving #DispensingHappiness #HydrationMatters #GLP1Support #Vidrate #WeightLossJourney
By Ali Sparkes BScHons MScEcon IP FRPharmS, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist
