Warm, sunny weather encourages many people to spend more time outdoors, but if you take medication every day, rising temperatures may affect your body in ways you don't expect.
According to guidance from the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), reported by LADbible, several widely used medicines can increase the risk of dehydration, overheating and sun sensitivity during periods of extreme heat.
How heat and medication interact
Your body relies on sweating and proper hydration to regulate its temperature. Some medications can interfere with these natural cooling mechanisms, making it more difficult to stay hydrated or increasing the risk of overheating.
Diuretics, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure and heart disease, are among the medicines that require extra caution because they increase fluid loss.
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Medicines that require extra care
The MHRA advises people taking the following types of medication to be particularly careful during a heatwave:
- Diuretics (water tablets)
- Antidepressants, including SSRIs such as sertraline, citalopram and fluoxetine
- Antipsychotic medicines
- Beta blockers
- Antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline
- Acne treatments containing retinoids
- Antifungal medicines
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including methotrexate and azathioprine
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used for acid reflux
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen
Some of these medicines can also make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, increasing the likelihood of sunburn after relatively short periods in the sun.
Protect yourself
Health officials recommend drinking plenty of fluids, limiting outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day and protecting exposed skin with suitable clothing and sunscreen.
It's also important to recognise the warning signs of heat-related illness, including dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, heavy sweating and unusual tiredness. If symptoms develop into confusion, loss of consciousness or a very high body temperature, urgent medical attention should be sought.
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Anyone taking prescription medication should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before making any changes to their treatment, even during periods of extreme heat.
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This article is made and published by Mie Hermansen, who may have used AI in the preparation.