The Big Picture: Hot temperatures can make people on certain medications more vulnerable to heat stress and dehydration. Many common prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs can impair your body’s ability to regulate temperature or sense overheating, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.
What to Know:
- Never stop taking medication without talking to your doctor
- Some drugs raise your risk by:
- Increasing dehydration (e.g. diuretics)
- Blocking your body’s cooling response
- Reducing your ability to feel heat
- Making skin more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity)
Medications That May Increase Heat Risk:
Antidepressants (e.g. Elavil, Sinequan, Pamelor)
Antihistamines (e.g. Benadryl)
Antipsychotics (e.g. Zyprexa, Risperdal)
Blood pressure meds (e.g. HCT, Diuril, Lisinopril-HCT)
Bladder meds (e.g. Ditropan, Vesicare)
Lithium and pain medications (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen)
Drugs Linked to Sun Sensitivity (Photosensitivity):
Acne treatments (e.g. Retin-A, Renova)
Antibiotics (e.g. Cipro, Doryx, sulfa drugs)
ACE inhibitors & ARBs (e.g. Lotensin, Diovan)
Pain meds (e.g. Voltaren, Advil, Aleve)
How to Stay Safe:
- Know your meds: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about sun/heat risks
- Hydrate: 8 oz of water every 15–20 minutes, plus electrolytes
- Know the Signs: High body temp, confusion, cramps, dry flushed skin, nausea, racing heart, headache
How to Get Help:
Call 911 from any Ingalls phone
Dial 228-935-6101 from your cell
Stay informed. Know your risk. Protect your health.