Can\u2019t take the heat? Your medication might be to blame.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Doctors are warning that people taking certain antidepressants could be at risk of serious health problems as temperatures soar into the triple digits<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n They\u2019re urging users to take extra precautions as the tristate swelters<\/a> \u2014 before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n Dr. Zachary Rubin is warning antidepressant users to be extra careful in the heat. TikTok\/@rubin_allergy<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re taking certain antidepressants, you may be at risk for developing heat intolerance and dehydration,\u201d Dr. Zachary Rubin<\/a>, a pediatrician and immunologist, warned in a recent TikTok video<\/a>.<\/p>\n Studies show<\/a> about 1 in 8 American adults take antidepressants. Research suggests<\/a> that two major types can interfere with how the body regulates temperature. <\/p>\n The first group, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), includes widely prescribed drugs like Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram).<\/p>\n The second group, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), includes older meds such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Anafranil (clomipramine) and Silenor (doxepin).<\/p>\n Studies show these medications can spike internal body temps to 106\u00b0F or higher \u2014 while also throwing a wrench in the body\u2019s natural cooling system.<\/p>\n \u201cYou may excessively sweat or you may not be able to sweat quite as much,\u201d Rubin explained.<\/p>\n Sweat helps protect the body from overheating. Getty Images<\/p>\n That\u2019s no small issue: Sweating is the body\u2019s primary defense against overheating. Without it, your chances of heatstroke, organ failure and even death increase substantially.<\/p>\n Research shows SSRIs and TCAs may also mess with the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that helps regulate body temperature, thirst and blood pressure.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the hypothalamus cannot control body temperature, someone can overheat,\u201d Dr. David Tzall, a licensed psychologist, told Medical News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n That increased heat sensitivity increases your chances of heat exhaustion, which has symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, headaches and heavy sweating, according to the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Left unchecked, heat exhaustion can quickly escalate into heat stroke \u2014 the most dangerous form of heat-related illness.<\/a><\/p>\n At that stage, the body can begin to shut down, triggering seizures, hot dry skin or intense sweating, loss of consciousness and serious brain trouble, including confusion, erratic behavior and slurred speech.<\/p>\n In extreme cases, heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you begin to feel a rapid heartbeat, start sweating excessively, develop nausea, dizziness or leg cramping, immediately seek air conditioning and if necessary, have someone call 911,\u201d Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician, told Health.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Still, experts say SSRIs and TCAs are safe and effective \u2014 as long as patients know the risks and can spot the warning signs before things turn dangerous.<\/p>\n SSRIs are the most popular form of antidepressants on the market. nenetus \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Rubin recommends staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun and wearing loose, light-colored clothing when temperatures climb.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are struggling at all, make sure that you seek out help,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The warnings come as a once-in-a-century scorcher<\/a> grips the East Coast, with more than 150 million Americans currently living under \u201cextreme\u201d heat alerts.<\/p>\n Each summer, more than 500 New Yorkers die prematurely<\/a> because of hot weather, a figure that has been climbing in recent years. <\/p>\n \u201cThis week\u2019s heat wave could be deadly and life threatening if you are not prepared,\u201d Mayor Eric Adams warned in a recent public safety alert<\/a>. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t