Some medications can increase risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke. Here’s what to know
Those taking medication for heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, ADHD and other conditions could be at higher risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke in sweltering South Florida, with some medicines increasing body temperature and making it more difficult to sweat.
Some medications can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, leading to rashes and an increased risk of sunburn, medical professionals say.
“This kind of heat is dangerous for everybody. These medical conditions — or you take these medications —you’re at higher risk. But in general, this kind of heat is dangerous for everybody to be out there for a prolonged amount of time,” said Dr. Olveen Carrasquillo, a professor of medicine and public health services and the associate dean for clinical and translational research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Being cautious with the heat isn’t just for when you’re at the beach, exercising outside or in the pool. In sunny South Florida, it’s important at all times, whether you’re playing sports, walking a few blocks to the grocery store, the bus stop or to work, especially for those considered to be more at risk for illness. Infants and children younger than 4, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions or who take certain medications are at higher risk for heat exhaustion.
What are medications that increase risk for heat-related illness?
People with diabetes, asthma and other pulmonary conditions, and cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, blood pressure and heart failure are a a higher risk for heat-related illnesses, said Carrasquillo of UHealth.
Some medicines, like Benadryl, can reduce your body’s ability to sweat and cool down. Others — like antidepressants such as Prozac and ADHD stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin — can create excessive sweating, which can lead to dehydration. Drugs like levothyroxine, which is used to treat an under-active thyroid, can raise your body temperature. All of these side effects can increase your risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Other medications that can make you more sensitive to the heat include antipsychotics, beta blockers for treating high blood pressure and heart disease, medications for Parkinson’s disease and some over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen, laxatives and antihistamines to treat allergies and colds, said Dr. Aisha Subhani, chair of the emergency department at Cleveland Clinic Weston.
Speak with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about your medications. Do not stop taking prescribed medicines unless you talk to your doctor first, doctors say.
Could the heat affect how my medication works?
Yes. Do not leave medicine in your car or out in the sun because it could make the medication less effective, experts say.
Extreme heat, for example, can affect the accuracy of glucose test strips, which are used by people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar. While it can vary by brand, in general, strips that are exposed to more than 30 minutes of heat that is over 90 degrees “may be a cause of concern,” according to Mount Sinai Health System.
What about retinoids and other skin treatments?
Sun exposure can also cause flare-ups in people living with skin conditions such as rosacea and melasma. Certain medications such as oral accutane and tetracycline, both used to treat acne, can increase a person’s sun sensitivity, increasing their risk for sunburns and rashes.
People whose skin is more sun sensitive, whether because of a condition or due to medication, should avoid being out in the sun. If you must be outside, make sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, protective clothing and sit under the shade or use an umbrella to reduce your risk of a severe sunburn, said Dr. Leslie Baumann, the Miami dermatologist who writes the “Skin Deep” column for the Miami Herald.
Baumann also cautions people to be careful of touching or using plant extracts like lime juice if they’re outdoors. If you squeeze lime juice into your margarita or beer and some of it gets on your skin, that area could get burned more easily or develop a rash, she said.
As far as retinoids, used in many serums and anti-aging creams, people often have misconceptions about them, she noted.
“Patients ask almost every day if they should stop their retinoid in the summer and in the heat because retinol, tretinoin and adapalene — they’re all in the retinoid vitamin A family. People believe those make you more sun sensitive but it’s actually not true,” said Baumann. “Your skin just feels stingy in the heat, but it actually doesn’t make you more heat or sun sensitive.”
And for those who don’t have a skin condition, it’s still a good idea to wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can cause cancer. And make sure to wash your face properly. Heat and humidity can lead to acne breakouts.
