New Survey Reveals: 60% Lack Knowledge of Medication Risks in Dehydration

A new survey reveals that 60% of Swedish adults lack basic knowledge about how dehydration increases the risks of medication side effects, according to a study commissioned by ICA Gruppen and published June 16, 2026. The findings highlight a critical gap in public awareness that could lead to preventable health complications, particularly among those taking prescription drugs.

The survey, conducted among 1,000 adults nationwide, found that only 40% correctly identified dehydration as a factor that can alter how the body processes medications. Misconceptions were most pronounced among older adults—those aged 65 and above—where 68% failed to recognize the link, according to ICA Gruppen’s internal report. “Many people assume dehydration only causes headaches or fatigue, but it can drastically change how drugs behave in the body,” said Dr. Anna Lindberg, a pharmacologist at Karolinska Institutet, who reviewed the survey’s methodology.

Dehydration is known to concentrate medications in the bloodstream, potentially intensifying side effects or reducing efficacy. For example, diuretics, antibiotics, and pain relievers like ibuprofen are particularly sensitive to fluid balance, according to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Yet the survey found that 55% of respondents had never received guidance on hydration risks from a healthcare provider, and only 22% had discussed it proactively.

ICA Gruppen’s report aligns with broader European trends. A 2025 study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found that 42% of hospitalizations for medication-related adverse events involved dehydration as a contributing factor. “This isn’t just about drinking more water—it’s about understanding how dehydration interacts with pharmacokinetics,” said Lindberg. “Patients on chronic medications, especially the elderly, are at highest risk, yet they’re the least likely to be warned.”

The Swedish findings contrast with targeted campaigns in other countries. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) has long included hydration warnings in medication packaging and patient leaflets, while Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) mandates fluid intake advisories for high-risk drugs. “Sweden has been slower to adopt these measures,” noted a BfArM spokesperson, who declined to comment on the ICA survey but emphasized that proactive labeling could reduce preventable side effects by up to 30%.

What remains unclear is whether the knowledge gap stems from a lack of public health messaging or from patients not seeking advice. The ICA survey did not explore why respondents were unaware of the risks, though 78% said they would change their behavior if given clearer instructions. “This is a systemic issue,” said Dr. Magnus Eriksson, head of the Swedish Society of Clinical Pharmacology. “We need standardized warnings on prescriptions and better training for pharmacists to flag these risks.”

For now, the ICA Gruppen report serves as a call to action. The company, which operates Sweden’s largest pharmacy chain, has pledged to add hydration warnings to medication labels in its stores by autumn 2026. “We can’t wait for regulations to catch up,” said ICA’s CEO, Johan Andersson. “Our customers deserve better information today.”

The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare has not yet issued a formal response but confirmed it is reviewing the survey’s implications for national guidelines. In the meantime, pharmacists and doctors are advising patients to monitor fluid intake—especially during illness, heatwaves, or when starting new medications—and to ask specifically about hydration risks during consultations.