8 Types of Medications That Can Make It Harder to Handle the Heat

Temperatures are soaring in many regions of the country, putting people — especially older adults — at risk for heat-related illness, even death. And one thing that doesn’t help is if you are taking medications that interfere with your body’s ability to cool itself down.

“This issue is particularly important for older people because they tend to be on more medications that alter either the body’s control of circulating blood volume and/or cardiac activity,” which can make it harder to deal with the heat, says Cecilia Sorensen, M.D., director of the Global Consortium on Climate Health and Education at Columbia University in New York City.

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It’s important to pay attention to this often-overlooked side effect during heat waves, which the Environmental Protection Agency says are increasing in both intensity and frequency. But it’s not just those stifling stretches that can be dangerous. Research shows that older patients with chronic medical conditions who take heat-sensitive medications can have medication-related problems throughout the entire summer.

How do medications affect your heat tolerance? 

First, it’s important to understand how your body deals with heat and works to maintain that ideal internal temperature of 98.6 degrees.

To cool off, your body has several tricks. One is perspiration (or sweat). When sweat evaporates from your skin, it cools the body.

Another is when the blood vessels underneath your skin vasodilate (widen) and bring warm blood closer to your skin, allowing the skin to release heat.

Several different medications, though, can interfere with this complex thermoregulation system by limiting the body’s ability to sweat or by reducing blood flow to the skin. Medications can also cause dehydration, and some may make the skin more sensitive to the sun, causing a rash or sunburn.

Some individuals are more susceptible to these heat-related issues than others. Risk factors include being over the age of 65, having chronic medical conditions and being overweight. Spending time outside in the warmest part of the day — especially if you are doing yard work, physical activity or exercise — also increases your risk. 

Dave Kent, a retired librarian, had a heart attack more than a decade ago; exercise, along with cardiac medications, is part of his treatment plan. But when the forecast calls for heat, he plans his outdoor activities for the cooler times of the day to avoid medication side effects. “I think having an active lifestyle and maintaining a healthy diet are the keys to dealing with whatever Mother Nature throws at us,” Kent says.

8 types of medications that don’t mix with heat

Below are some examples of commonly used medications that can make it harder for your body to handle the heat.

1. Heart medications

Prescribed for high blood pressure, blood-clot prevention and to support the pumping function of the heart.

• Diuretics (also called water pills): furosemide (Lasix), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), hydrochlorthiazide (Microzide, HydroDiuril)

• Beta blockers: metoprolol (Toprol, Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), propranolol (Inderal)

• ACE Inhibitors: lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil)

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan)

• Antiplatelets: clopidogrel (Plavix)