Common medications that affect your heat tolerance

It’s no news that heatwaves can have a serious impact on health – but they could be a greater risk for those taking certain common medications.

Our summers here in British Columbia are predicted to get hotter and hotter. While you might be looking forward to taking advantage of the warm weather, something that many don't often consider is how the heat might affect or interact with their daily medications.

Our bodies are built to cope with a certain degree of heat. A part of our brain called the hypothalamus is responsible for regulating our internal body temperature, making sure that this stays within a healthy range. If our body is too cold, the hypothalamus will trigger processes to generate heat, such as shivering. On the other hand, if our body temperature rises too high, it will activate cooling mechanisms, like sweating.

Unfortunately, some common medications can affect our body's ability to regulate heat. This can cause issues when we're affected by extreme outdoor weather conditions, as we are during a heatwave. The body might not be able to cool itself as it usually would. This means that extra precautions need to be taken to stay cool and hydrated during this time.

It's essential to note that this is not a reason to skip or stop taking a medication that is important to your health. Rather, have a plan in place and be prepared during heatwaves.

Medications that can affect heat tolerance

The following medications, among others, can affect your body's ability to regulate heat:

• Antidepressants
• Allergy medications (antihistamines)
• Some heart-related medications such as beta-blockers and ACE Inhibitors
• Anti-seizure medications
• Anti-psychotic medications

If you're taking these common medications, be aware that your body might find it harder to cope with rising summer temperatures.

Medications that can cause dehydration

Some other types of medication can cause dehydration. These include blood pressure medications. Those who've been prescribed diuretics can experience less thirst, leading to dehydration. It's a good idea to keep track of your water intake each day. The average recommendation for adults is to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily; however some people will need more or less depending on their activity levels, and how hot their environment is.

Older adults, infants and toddlers, as well as those living with chronic health conditions, are at higher risk during a heatwave. For people in these groups who are also taking one or several of the medications listed above, the health risk can be compounded. It's always a good idea to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about your health risk in the heat, and whether your medications might affect this.

Tips for staying cool in summer

You can take the following precautions to help keep your body cool:

• Keep the temperature from rising in your living and working spaces. Use air conditioning if you have access to this. Put up external window covers if possible or close your blinds/curtains to block the sun.
• Consider keeping a thermometer in your living and working spaces to keep an eye on the temperature. A comfortable temperature for most is around 20°C (68°F).
• Make ice and prepare jugs of cool water in your refrigerator.
• Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty (unless you have been advised otherwise by your doctor). Be aware that sugar and alcoholic drinks cause dehydration.
• Keep windows closed between 10am and 8pm. Open them at 8pm to allow cooler air in and use fans (including kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans) to move the cool air through your living space.
• Sleep in the coolest room of your residence.
• If you feel hot, take a cool shower or bathe in cool water. You could also sleep with a wet sheet or wet shirt.
• Lower your activity levels and run errands earlier or later in the day.
• Stay in the shade and avoid direct sun.

Proper storage of medications in hot weather

Finally, it's important to note that many medications need to be stored in a cool, dry place; this means that rising temperatures could cause them to lose their efficacy. Try to find cooler storage spaces, but do not put your medication in the refrigerator unless a pharmacist has told you to do so, as cold temperatures can also impact their effectiveness.

For more heat safety resources, visit the BC Government and Government of Canada websites.

Pacific Blue Cross members have access to our Preferred Pharmacy Network, allowing you to save on prescription drugs and decrease out-of-pocket expenses. Compare pricing across local pharmacies, use home delivery for repeat prescriptions, and access our pay-direct option allowing your pharmacist to submit your claim for you. Log in to your Member Profile or register in five minutes or less.