As much of the UK continues to experience unusually high temperatures for May, the NHS has published a list of medications that could heighten your risk of falling ill during the heatwave. While it may not be feasible to discontinue a medicine entirely, lowering the dosage might be possible - however, always consult a pharmacist, your GP, or a nurse before making any changes.
According to the NHS, there are various types of medication that can impair your body's ability to cope with the heat - with some affecting perspiration and hydration levels, while others may cause elevated body temperature, drowsiness and potentially organ damage through dehydration.
It follows guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Well Pharmacy UK yesterday (May 26), both of which encouraged UK residents to be conscious of where medication is kept during the heatwave. Antibiotics, diuretics and antidepressants can lose their effectiveness when exposed to heat, and may even render your skin more sensitive and increase the likelihood of burning.
Medicines that affect sweat production
Perspiration is our body's method of cooling down by releasing excess body heat. However, the NHS warns that these medicines can impair the body's capacity to produce sweat:
- Beta blockers such as metoprolol or bisoprolol which are used for some heart conditions and for treating high blood pressure.
- Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, an active ingredient in cold medications available from shops and supermarkets.
- Anticholinergic medicines, which include some shop-bought allergy medications such as diphenhydramine, shop-bought sleeping pills, medicines used to treat urinary incontinence such as oxybutynin, and some antidepressants such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline.
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