Health
Stay Safe in the Heat: How Common Medications May Affect Your Health
As temperatures soar, it’s crucial to be aware of how certain medications might increase your risk of heat-related illnesses. While staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities are common precautions, the impact of medications on your body’s ability to regulate temperature is often overlooked. Here are three types of medications that doctors warn could pose complications during a heat wave.
Blood Pressure Medications
Medications prescribed for high blood pressure, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, require special attention during extreme heat. Michael Redlener, MD, medical director of the emergency department at Mount Sinai West, points out that ACE inhibitors can increase the risk of fainting and falling, especially in high temperatures. They may also suppress thirst, making it more challenging to recognize when you need to hydrate.
“Drinking enough fluids is one of the most important things you can do to prevent heat illness,” the CDC advises. Beta-blockers, on the other hand, can hinder your ability to sweat, which is crucial for cooling down. Calcium channel blockers might disrupt body temperature regulation by causing electrolyte imbalances.
Antidepressants and Stimulants
Certain antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can suppress thirst, potentially leading to dehydration during extreme heat. A paper published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy notes, “Excessive sweating has been associated with antidepressants including tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], and venlafaxine.”
Stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can also elevate body temperature. Mahesh Polavarapu, MD, the medical director of emergency medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester, highlights the risk associated with these medications. Additionally, specific antipsychotic medications like haloperidol, olanzapine, and risperidone can impair your ability to sweat. “Your body temperature has a higher likelihood of getting hotter when you’re on those medications,” explains Redlener.
Antihistamines and Sleep Aids
Over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and certain sleep aids such as Unisom can interfere with your body’s ability to sweat, affecting temperature regulation. Cleveland Clinic explains that diphenhydramine can cause anhidrosis, “a condition in which your sweat glands don’t function as they should to remove heat and cool your body down.”
Prescription allergy and sleep medications containing diphenhydramine should be used with caution during a heat wave. Polavarapu stresses the importance of being mindful of these medications when temperatures rise.
As we face increasingly frequent and intense heat waves, understanding how medications can impact your body’s response to heat is vital. Discussing your medications with a healthcare provider and making necessary adjustments can help you stay safe. “Many medicines can make you dehydrated or overheated on hot days,” the CDC notes on its website. Always consult your doctor before changing or stopping any medications.
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