Some prescriptions and over-the-counter medications could keep your body from cooling properly, leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, warn doctors at Integris Health.<\/p>\n
Robie Harrington, Pharm.D., clinical pharmacy specialist in the emergency department at\u00a0INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, says several commonly used medications interfere with the body\u2019s natural cooling processes, including:<\/p>\n
Antihistamines\u00a0like diphenhydramine, sold under the brand name Benadryl, and hydroxyzine, also known as Atarax, can reduce the ability to sweat.Beta blockers,\u00a0such as metoprolol and propranolol, may weaken the\u00a0cardiovascular response and impair vasodilation, a key mechanism for cooling.SSRIs\/SNRIs,\u00a0such as sertraline, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, and duloxetine, can impair your body\u2019s ability to maintain its core temperature. This could increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition with symptoms ranging from agitation and shivering to seizures or death.The heat can interact with\u00a0diuretics,\u00a0causing dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and reduced ability to sweat.Stimulants\u00a0used by people with ADHD often increase metabolism and body temperature, which can lead to dehydration and decreased thirst.Some antipsychotics\/antidepressants\u00a0(e.g., olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, haloperidol) disrupt the area of the brain that produces hormones that control body temperature, affecting temperature regulation and sweating.Some medications, known as\u00a0anticholinergics,\u00a0that are used to treat some bladder and respiratory issues can inhibit sweat gland activity.<\/p>\n
Even common over-the-counter products,\u00a0including allergy medications, decongestants, pain relievers, herbal weight loss aids, and caffeine-based supplements, can worsen heat sensitivity or contribute to dehydration.<\/p>\n