NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – With the stretch of dangerous heat this week, it’s imperative that you stay hydrated and limit your time outdoors, especially if you’re taking certain medications.
Some doctors have warned that the heat heightens the side effects of many common medications.
First Alert Weather Days issued due to extreme heat
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said some medications can interfere with your body’s ability to regulate temperature, making it harder to cool down and increase sun sensitivity to the skin. It can also make a person more vulnerable to heat by affecting the body’s hydration.
Here are eight types of medications that don’t mix well with heat, according to AARP:
- Heart medications (ex. water pills, Lasix,Microzide)
- Antidepressants (ex. Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft)
- Antipsychotics (ex. Risperdal, Zyprexa)
- Central nervous system stimulants (ex. Adderall, Ritalin)
- Anticholinergics (ex. Cogentin, Detrol)
- Antihistamines (ex.Benadryl)
- Decongestants (ex. Sudafed, Afrin, Mucinex, and Zicam)
- Dopaminergics (ex. Sinemet)
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AARP also mentions five types of medications that can put you at risk of sunburn-like symptoms, a rash, or other side effects. Those medications include:
- Antibiotics (ex. Cipro, Panmycin, Floxin)
- Antifungals (ex. Gris-PEG)
- Antihistamines (ex. Claritin, Zyrtec)
- Statin cholesterol medications (ex. Zocor, Mevacor, Pravachol)
- Diabetes medications (ex. Glucotrol, Micronase)
The heat can also damage or degrade some medications such as insulin, inhalers, and EpiPens so make sure those are properly stored.
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