from the Peoplespharmacy.com
Drugs that decrease sweating are far more common than most people realize. Antidepressants that interfere with a chemical called acetylcholine are especially problematic. This anticholinergic effect slows sweating substantially. Medications include amitriptyline, desipramine and doxepin.
Pills for overactive bladder such as Detrol, Ditropan or Toviaz also have this kind of effect. Many antithistamines have anticholinergic activity. Diphenhydramine is of particular concern because it is found in OTC products like Benadryl as well as PM pain relievers like Advil PM or Tylenol PM.
Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine are another problem. You frequently find this ingredient as the “D” (for decongestant) in allergy medication such as Allegra-D, Claritin-D or Zyrtec-D. The vasoconstrictor action of pseudoephedrine may reduce blood flow to the skin, making it a little harder for your body’s radiator to dissipate heat.
Antipsychotic drugs are being prescribed for conditions other than schizophrenia. Medications such as Abilify and Zyprexa are increasingly used to treat depression, bipolar disease, dementia and personality disorders. Such drugs may also be dangerous in hot weather since they make it harder for the body to cool down when temperatures climb.
We have barely touched the surface when it comes to all the medicines that make people vulnerable to high heat. When temperatures hover around triple digits, it is crucial for those on medications to check with a pharmacist to make sure that their pills aren’t putting them at risk for heat stroke.
