The list of drugs to avoid in hot weather

With the strong heat, taking certain medications poses health risks. Others can aggravate the effects of heat: takeaspirin or paracetamol to treat a sunstroke can cause serious kidney damage in people with liver failure.

Medications that can cause dehydration…

By favoring the elimination of water or by altering the operation of the liverthese drugs increase the risk of dehydration :

• diuretics;
• NSAIDs (aspirin > 500 mg, ibuprofen);
• paracetamol ;
• sulfonamide antibiotics;
• salts of lithium;
• antiarrhythmics;
• anti-epileptics;
• antidiabetics (biguanides );
• drugs against cholesterol(statins ).

…and those likely to lead to hyperthermia

These drugs can disrupt the thermostat central part of the body or prevent the evacuation of heat (by the sweat particularly) :

• neuroleptics;
• some antidepressants (IRS and IRSNA);
• migraine medications (triptans, pizotifen, ergot derivatives);
• certain opiates (dextromethorphan, tramadol);
• first-generation antihistamines;
• anti-Parkinson drugs;
• some bronchodilators (tiotropium);
• atropine and atropine eye drops;
• certain analgesics (nefopam);
• motion sickness (scopolamine);
• beta-blockers ;
• thyroid hormones.

Some oral or cutaneous medications are photosensitizing: they can cause burns or allergies. © rufar, Fotolia.com

Heat can also increase the drowsiness induced by certain drugs or cause discomfort by a drop in arterial pressure(anti-hypertensives ). Finally, beware of sun : certain drugs photosensitizers(antibiotics, diuretics antiulcer, antidepressants, ointment antisepticWhere fungicide…) can cause skin reactions such as burns or allergies.

However, it is not recommended to stop treatment without medical advice. A phone call to your doctor possibly accompanied by additional examinations will allow you to know the attitude to follow.