June 25, 2019
People under medical treatment must remain vigilant during hot weather. Certain medications increase fatigue and dehydration.
Dehydration and exhaustion
Certain drugs do not agree with the hot weather and can present risks during the heatwave. Diuretics, diabetes, cholesterol and anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of dehydration by causing significant losses of water and salt.
Some medicines like antagonists and sulfonamides can affect kidney function. Neuroleptics and antidepressants can cause hyperthermia, that is, the local or general rise in body temperature. The elderly, infants and people with chronic conditions or overweight should be the most careful.
Medicines alter the regulation of body temperature
When temperatures rise, the body does everything to regulate its own temperature. The heart rate increases, the skin cools the body as it perspires, and the kidneys become active. Certain drugs affect our body’s ability to regulate temperature. Too much body temperature can damage vital organs and the brain.
People who take medication should drink plenty of water and hydrate their body with damp cloths. However, the ANSM (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines) clarified “that it is not justified to immediately and systematically consider reducing or stopping drugs that may interact with the body’s adaptation to the heat “. In case of complications, it is recommended to go see a doctor.
Stephanie Haerts
Read also : 5 tips for sleeping well in hot weather
