High temperatures can raise risks for people on mental health medications

Heat waves can elevate health risks for those on psychiatric medications, which impair the body's ability to manage heat, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke.

Nina Dietz reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Many psychotropic drugs, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, antipsychotics, and stimulants, alter body temperature regulation by affecting the hypothalamus.
During high heat, people on these medications face increased risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and severe conditions like heat stroke.
Experts suggest preparing for emergencies by consulting with doctors about medication risks and stockpiling essentials.

Key quote:

“When we talk about heat related illness, we’re talking about seven to 10 percent of the impact of heat. Heat is the force multiplier of disease.”

— Dr. Pope Moseley, biomedical sciences researcher and intensive care physician

Why this matters:

As extreme heat events become more frequent due to climate change, people taking medications that affect body temperature regulation face higher risks of life-threatening heat illnesses. Being proactive with doctors about heat-related medication effects can help mitigate these dangers.

insideclimatenews.org

Credit: Gage Skidmore/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/ Creative Commons https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

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