The body uses several mechanisms to regulate temperature: sweating, blood flow to the skin and fluid balance. But some commonly prescribed drugs interfere with these processes, making it harder to stay cool.<\/p>\n
Here are a few you should know about this summer:<\/p>\n
1. Antidepressants<\/p>\n
Two specific types of antidepressants<\/a> \u2013 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclics (TCAs) \u2013 may make summer harder to cope with. They could even cause heat intolerance due to how they affect the body\u2019s ability to sweat.<\/p>\n Both these antidepressants<\/a> are believed to partly work by affecting neurotransmitter levels in the brain \u2013 primarily serotonin and noradrenaline. However, they may also affect other neurotransmitters.<\/p>\n For instance, TCAs can block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important for sweating. This may cause some patients to sweat less. On a hot day, this could make it hard to cool down.<\/p>\n However, TCAs also increase noradrenaline levels, a neurotransmitter that stimulates sweat glands. This can increase sweating. In fact, both SSRIs and TCAs can increase sweating in users. Data shows up to 14% of antidepressant users experience this side-effect.<\/p>\n SSRIs may also interfere with the hypothalamus \u2013 the brain region that controls body temperature and tells the sweat glands to start producing sweat. But this signal may be affected by the increased serotonin levels.<\/p>\n Since sweating is a key cooling mechanism, any disruptions to this process can lead to heat-related illness. Excess sweating may also cause dehydration if fluids aren\u2019t replaced.<\/p>\n 2. Antipsychotics<\/p>\n Antipsychotics are used to treat psychosis, which can occur in schizophrenia<\/a> and bipolar disorder<\/a>. They do this by blocking the neurotransmitter dopamine \u2013 which in turn affects levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This can disrupt the hypothalamus\u2019s ability to sense and respond to body temperature changes.<\/p>\n As a result, someone taking an antipsychotic might not feel overheated or thirsty when it\u2019s hot out. This can cause low blood pressure<\/a> and reduced heart function. The body then tries to compensate by narrowing the blood vessels and holding in heat. This, in turn, reduces sweating and makes it harder to cool down properly.<\/p>\n Additionally, antipsychotics have anticholinergic properties. This means they block the action of acetylcholine, making it harder to sweat.<\/p>\n 3. Heart medications<\/p>\n Beta-blockers are used to manage heart failure and arrhythmias. They do this by lowering the heart rate and reducing how forcefully the heart pumps. But this can limit blood flow to the skin, making it harder for the body to release heat on hot days.<\/p>\n About the author<\/p>\n Dipa Kamdar is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University.<\/p>\n This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n Diuretics are also commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure<\/a> or heart failure. But as these drugs increase urine output, this may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during hot weather. With less fluid available, the body may struggle to sweat properly. If you become severely dehydrated, you might actually stop feeling thirsty. Blood pressure can also drop, which may cause dizziness or fainting \u2013 especially when standing up.<\/p>\n Ramipril and losartan, also used to manage blood pressure, can increase the risk of dehydration as well. These drugs block a system in the body that helps control blood pressure, fluid balance and thirst. This may reduce your natural urge to drink, increasing dehydration risk when it\u2019s hot.<\/p>\n 4. Stimulants<\/p>\n Stimulants \u2013 such as the amphetamines used for ADHD<\/a> \u2013 affect many brain chemicals, including dopamine and noradrenaline. This can increase body temperature, boost metabolism and change how the body sweats \u2013 all of which can make it harder to cool down, especially when exercising or in hot weather. This can also potentially lead to dehydration, overheating or even heatstroke. Stimulants may also reduce the feeling of tiredness, which can cause people to overexert themselves without realising the danger.<\/p>\n![\"TCAs](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/iStock-1415391491.jpg\")
TCAs increase noradrenaline levels, a neurotransmitter that stimulates sweat glands (Getty\/iStock)<\/p>\n![\"Stimulants](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/iStock-1388450674.jpg\")
Stimulants can increase body temperature, boost metabolism and change how the body sweats (Getty\/iStock)<\/p>\n