Pharmacist's urgent message over 10 medicines that can affect you more in 25C heat

Pharmacist's urgent message over 10 medicines that can affect you more in 25C heat A pharmacist with over 35 years of experience in the industry has issued an urgent message to everyone who takes these common 10 medicines during the summer season Hot weather can impact you in many ways, from making you feel dizzy to slightly rundown. Previously, a pharmacist issued an urgent alert over 10 medicines taken in the heatwave. Although temperatures have slightly cooled off since the heatwave at the start of July, the weather does still feel quite warm. Now after UK weather maps show the most intense heatwave could strike towards the end of the month, a pharmacist has sent a message to anyone taking these specific medicines during the hot weather. It comes as the GFS weather model reveals temperatures rising into the 30s once more on July 27, peaking at 33C in western England and reaching 32C quite widely across southern areas. Which Medicines Increase Heatwave Risks? Pharmacist Raj Patel, with over 35 years of industry experience, listed the 10 medications which include Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Chlorpromazine, Oxybutynin, Amitriptyline, Bisoprolol, Lithium, Sertraline, Methylphenidate and Furosemide. He told his 95,000 followers on TikTok: "Top 10 medicines that can affect sweating, hydration and temperature control during hot weather. These medicines do not necessarily make you hotter. "But they may interfere with the warning systems your body uses to cope with heat – making overheating, dehydration or heat exhaustion harder to recognise." The pharmacist said these medicines don't affect the body in the same way, but some can reduce sweating and affect the brain's ability to regulate body temperature. He also feared some can slow the normal rise in heart rate during heat and increase fluid loss. While his advice doesn't serve as an urgency to stop the medication, he has urged takers to exercise caution in the hot weather. How Heatwaves Affect Antidepressants, Beta-Blockers, and Water Tablets In the video, he continued: "Olanzapine, quetiapine and chlorpromazine are antipsychotic medicines. Medicines in this group can sometimes interfere with the body's temperature-control systems. "Oxybutynin and amitriptyline have anticholinergic effects. These can reduce sweating, which is one of the main ways your body releases heat. "Bisoprolol is a beta-blocker. It slows the heart rate and may reduce some of the normal cardiovascular responses your body uses during hot weather. "Lithium needs particular care because dehydration can increase lithium levels and raise the risk of toxicity. Sertraline may affect sweating and fluid balance in some people. "Methylphenidate may increase heart rate, reduce appetite or make it easier to become dehydrated during prolonged activity. Furosemide is a water tablet. It increases urine production and may contribute to dehydration, low blood pressure and dizziness." He advised a bracket of people who might be aged 65 or over and anyone experiencing heart or kidney problems. Your personal risk might also be higher if you: - Have diabetes - Take several medicines - Already struggle with dizziness or falls - Are exercising or standing outside for hours - Drink alcohol in the heat - Have vomiting or diarrhoea - Have been told to restrict your fluids Essential NHS Advice on Medication Safety in Hot Weather If you experience any symptoms, which range from headaches to weakness or heavy sweating and feeling faint, it's advised to move somewhere cool and seek medical assistance. He continued: "Do not stop any prescribed medicine because you have seen it on this list. Stopping medicines such as beta-blockers, antidepressants, antipsychotics or lithium without clinical advice can be harmful." Pharmacist Raj also urged anyone taking these medicines to "not panic", instead "plan ahead". The NHS states you shouldn't stop taking any medication during the hot weather without having a conversation with your doctor. Instead continue taking your prescriptions while taking extra precautions to stay cool, and monitor for side effects like dizziness or increased confusion. Hot weather can affect anyone but the NHS states some people are more vulnerable. Sharing tips to coping in summer, it said: "Keep out of the heat if you can. "If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. "Cool yourself down. Have cold food and regular cold drinks. Drink extra fluids but avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. "Keep your living space cool. Close windows, curtains and blinds during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees."