Be Mindful Of Medications When In High Temperatures
With temperatures and humidity levels predicted to remain in the 80s and 90s for the next week, Bowen Health warns that people taking certain medications can become less tolerant of the heat.
Dr. Ambreen Ghori, Bowen Health psychiatrist, cautions that patients who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can have serious heat-related reactions.
“According to research, certain antidepressants make people more sensitive to heat,” says Dr. Ghori. “SSRIs (brand names Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Prozac, among others) have properties that can prevent sweat glands from functioning properly. Sweating helps the body cool itself naturally, so when it decreases or stops, it can cause a person to overheat.”
When the body overheats, symptoms can include fatigue, heavy sweating, nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness, and confusion.
Medications that can contribute to heat sensitivity include the following:
- Antihistamines
- Amphetamines or other stimulants, including those found in drugs that suppress your appetite
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotic medicines
- Blood pressure medicines
- Cholesterol medicines (statins)
- Decongestants
- Diabetes medicines
- Overactive bladder medicines
- Pain relievers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, also called NSAIDs)
- Parkinson disease medicines
Act early to protect yourself from heat exhaustion:
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and nonalcoholic beverages
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing
- Avoid being in the sun for long periods, especially between 11 am to 3 pm
- Reduce strenuous activity and save activities such as gardening or lawn mowing for early morning or late evening
- Eat light, easy-to-digest foods
- Mist skin with cool water when outside and use cold compresses when inside
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how heat might affect you and your medications.
Bowen Health is a non-profit community health system committed to serving the underserved in Indiana. No one is turned away for an inability to pay. Bowen Health provides easy access to a wide range of healthcare services under one roof, including primary healthcare, mental health care, and addiction recovery treatment, to help people live their best lives longer. For more information, visit BowenHealth.org
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