Almost 17% percent of adults are currently taking a prescribed antidepressant, making them among the most prescribed medications in the country. But many patients, and their loved ones or caregivers, don’t know that these medications, and other psychiatric medications, can affect them during the summer as temperatures rise and they risk heat exhaustion or stroke.
We talked to Annie Carrell, psychiatric nurse practitioner and director of behavioral health at Outreach Community Health Centers in Milwaukee, about how these medications make people less tolerant of heat, and what to do about it.
What medications reduce heat tolerance or worsen people’s experience of high temperatures?
Many psychiatric medications fall under this category. Some examples are:
Knowing what medication you’re taking and whether it can cause heat intolerance is important. More complete lists of medications impacting heat tolerance are available, but it’s most important to check with health care professionals.
How do these medications interfere with the body’s response to heat?
Heat intolerance is caused by disruptions to the biological systems that regulate body response to heat.
Carrell noted that SSRIs typically increase sweating, rather than actual temperature.
“Your experience of heat is more intense because you’re sweating so much,” she said.
Other medications reduce sweating, which can be more dangerous, or reduce people’s awareness of their own body temperature. Certain types can also alter feelings of thirst, increase core temperature or increase metabolism in ways that produce excess heat.
Sometimes these medications worsen existing issues with temperature regulation. Carrell said this a common issue with antipsychotics.
Antipsychotics tend to reduce or prevent sweating, and are most commonly prescribed to people with schizophrenia who already tend to be worse at noticing changes in their body temperature. This makes them particularly vulnerable to dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Additionally, people who are on multiple psychiatric medications have an increased risk of becoming more sensitive to heat.
“People on medications in general should kind of just pay greater attention to their body,” Carrell said.
What is recommended for staying cool and avoiding medical problems?
If you don’t have air conditioning, make sure to keep track of the temperature in your house. Fans typically stop being effective over 90 degrees, so if your home reaches that temperature or beyond, seek out a cooling center or other locations with air conditioning.
Another tip for those without air conditioning is to take a cold shower and then sit in front of a fan without drying off. The evaporation can help lower body temperatures.
Make sure you’re staying hydrated. Some medications impair your ability to sense how hot you truly are or your ability to tell that you’re thirsty. You may need to drink more water than you think.
Try to wear light clothing in breathable fabrics.
If you’re sweating a lot, try to replenish electrolytes by eating salty snacks or drinking an electrolyte rich beverage (think Gatorade, Coconut Water, Liquid IV). However, this may depend on your personal dietary needs.
Avoid drinking alcohol.
If you are fine, what else can you do?
Carrell mentioned that checking in on people who might be particularly vulnerable to heat is important for preventing heat-related illness.
“People may not realize that they’re getting overheated inside of their home,” she said. “Check in on elderly people or people that we know might be on medications. It really does reduce risk.”
Some final hot tips – literally
If you notice that you’re struggling in any way with the heat, Carrel said, it can’t hurt to reach out to a doctor.
Watch out for symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include: headache, racing pulse, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, fatigue, or rapid breathing. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, prioritize the tips above, particularly increasing hydration and moving to a cooler environment.
If your temperature reaches about 103 degrees or you begin to experience vomiting, fainting or loss of consciousness, it’s likely heatstroke. Make sure to call 911 or go the emergency room.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why is heat a medical risk to some people? What can they do about it?
Reporting by Donnisa Edmonds, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Donnisa Edmonds, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
