Some widely prescribed medicines used to treat depression, ADHD and high blood pressure can make it harder for the body to cope with extreme heat, potentially increasing the risk of dehydration and other heat-related health problems.
The issue has gained renewed attention as increasingly intense heatwaves affect Europe and other parts of the world. For people taking certain medications, high temperatures may produce stronger effects than expected, particularly when combined with limited access to cooling and fluids.
Why Some Medicines Can Make Heat More Difficult to Handle
The human body normally regulates temperature through mechanisms such as sweating and changes in blood flow. Some medications can interfere with these processes or increase fluid loss, making it more difficult for the body to cool itself.
Certain antidepressants, for example, may affect sweating, thirst or the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Some medicines used for ADHD can also influence heart rate and body temperature. Meanwhile, certain blood-pressure medications and diuretics can contribute to dehydration or changes in blood pressure.
The effects can vary significantly between individuals, depending on the medication, dosage, underlying health conditions, weather conditions and access to cooling.
Brussels Resident Struggles During Heatwave
During Europe’s June heatwave, 28-year-old Ileana Okumus found herself struggling to cope with temperatures inside her top-floor Brussels apartment.
Without air conditioning, the heat became particularly difficult to escape. Okumus said she experienced heavy sweating shortly after leaving her apartment and often sought relief at her workplace and in local cafes.
On one particularly hot day, the temperature inside her apartment reached 34C (93F). She said she slept for around 18 hours and found it difficult to wake up, raising concerns that her blood pressure may have fallen.
Okumus had previously experienced summers with temperatures reaching around 40C (104F), but said the European heatwave affected her differently.
She eventually connected her symptoms with medication she had started taking two years earlier for depression and anxiety, after seeing other people describe similar experiences online.
Extreme Heat Can Create Additional Risks
The combination of high temperatures and certain medications can create additional challenges for people who may already be vulnerable to heat-related illness.
Symptoms such as heavy sweating, dizziness, unusual tiredness, weakness, headache, confusion or fainting can be warning signs that the body is struggling with heat. Severe symptoms require urgent medical attention.
Health experts generally advise people taking regular medication not to stop or change their treatment without speaking with a healthcare professional. Instead, patients can ask their doctor or pharmacist whether their particular medication affects heat tolerance, hydration or blood pressure.
During heatwaves, staying hydrated, seeking cooler environments and avoiding prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can help reduce risk.
As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, understanding how commonly used medications interact with extreme temperatures is becoming increasingly important. For millions of people taking prescription medicines, heat preparedness may need to become part of everyday medication safety.
