It's Important to Be Cautious: These Medications Can Cause Problems in Extreme Heat

It's Important to Be Cautious: These Medications Can Cause Problems in Extreme Heat

Some medicines can have undesirable effects when temperatures rise, you will need to be careful.

The increase in temperatures during the summer can cause various issues, especially during heat waves. When temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius, the risk of dehydration, headaches, heatstroke, or sunburn increases if we spend time under the sun's rays.

Unfortunately, the number of risks don't end there. Extreme weather can pose hidden health threats by amplifying and extending the side effects of many common medications, according to the portal Index. Some medications can be altered by heat and may even lose their effectiveness.

Prolonged heat can especially damage medications that need to be kept cold, such as insulin, semaglutide (Ozempic), eye drops (particularly for glaucoma treatment), medications for inflammatory conditions, and vaccines.

Additionally, asthma inhalers can explode, EpiPens can malfunction, and other medications may be similarly affected.

Other medications that can cause problems in extreme heat include:

  • Antihypertensives, which reduce the amount of fluid in the blood, potentially leading to dehydration.
  • Beta blockers for treating heart conditions can reduce blood flow to the skin, making us less sensitive to dangerous heat.
  • Some antidepressants can inhibit the body's ability to regulate temperature.
  • Aspirin and other over the counter pain relievers reduce fluid and sodium levels, making it harder to cope with high temperatures.

It's also important to note that dizziness and fainting can be caused by the combination of heat and medication side effects, and alcohol consumption can exacerbate these effects, according to pharmacist Bradley Phillips from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy.

Experts recommend that when traveling by car, we store medications in a cooler, even those that don't usually require refrigeration, as the ambient temperature in the trunk or glove compartment can be too high for their proper storage.

If you have any medication at home, check on the back of the box or bottle for the optimal storage recommendations for your specific medication.