{"id":37393,"date":"2021-07-22T09:30:44","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T13:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=37393"},"modified":"2025-10-17T11:33:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T15:33:14","slug":"medications-that-cause-heat-intolerance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medications-that-cause-heat-intolerance\/","title":{"rendered":"14 medications that make you sensitive to the heat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer is in full swing\u2014and there\u2019s <\/span>another <\/span><\/i>heat wave slamming your area. You\u2019re ready to hit the beach to cool off from the extreme heat. As long as you remember to reapply sunscreen and stay hydrated, you\u2019re enjoying the hot temperatures safely…right? Not so fast! If you take any daily pills\u2014prescription or over-the-counter\u2014check with your pharmacist first. Certain medications that cause sun sensitivity and heat illness can ruin a day of fun in the sun, and have dangerous side effects as temperatures skyrocket.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is heat intolerance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Also known as hypersensitivity to the heat, heat intolerance is more than just feeling uncomfortable when temperatures rise. It\u2019s a condition that occurs when your body can\u2019t regulate its temperature properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As it gets hotter outside, the hypothalamus in your brain sends messages through your nerves that tell your skin to cool off by sweating. When the moisture evaporates off your skin, it decreases your core temperature. If something disrupts this process, your body is unable to cool down\u2014and that can lead to unpleasant symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or even a heat-related illness.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>6 heat-related illnesses you should watch out for this summer<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Heat intolerance has many causes: <\/span>certain health conditions<\/span><\/a>, age, weight, and the medications that you take.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

14 medications that cause heat intolerance<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several types of common medications that can increase your sensitivity to the heat:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Blood pressure medication<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Antihistamines<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Decongestants<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Anticholinergics<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Stimulants<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Psychiatric medications<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Steroids<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Thyroid medications<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Chemotherapy drugs<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Muscle relaxants<\/span><\/li>\n
  11. Hormonal medications<\/span><\/li>\n
  12. Cholesterol-lowering medications<\/span><\/li>\n
  13. Antibiotics<\/span><\/li>\n
  14. Retinoids<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Additionally, there are many combination drugs, so even if your medication doesn\u2019t make this list, it\u2019s always a good idea to check with a provider before heading out on a hot day.<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. Blood pressure medications<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Certain prescription treatments for high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can put you at higher risk of heat intolerance. This is especially true for two types of medications: thiazide diuretics and beta blockers.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Thiazide diuretics\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

    \u201c<\/span>Certain medications, called diuretics, force fluid out of our bodies through our kidneys to control high blood pressure and heart failure,\u201d says <\/span>David Cutler, MD<\/span><\/a>, family medicine physician at Santa Monica Family Physicians in California. \u201cThese medications could cause dehydration, a potentially grave danger in hot weather.\u201d <\/span>Thiazide diuretics, such as <\/span>chlorthalidone<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide)<\/span><\/a>, are known to have this effect. Additionally, recent <\/span>studies<\/span><\/a> have found that hydrochlorothiazide, as well as combination drugs, may increase the risk of certain types of skin cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Beta blockers<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Beta blockers, such as <\/span>Toprol XL (metoprolol)<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Inderal (propranolol)<\/span><\/a>, can decrease blood flow to the skin, which can inhibit sweating. \u201cIt mainly has to do with how the blood flows to the skin,\u201d says <\/span>Dawn Shill<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., a pharmacist for the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Anchorage, Alaska. \u201cThe blood vessels don\u2019t dilate as they should to allow heat to escape with certain blood pressure medications. By constricting blood flow, the body can\u2019t regulate temperature as much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Both effects make it harder for your body to cool off.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Other blood pressure medications<\/span><\/h4>\n

    In addition to these medications, other medications used to lower blood pressure can cause severe sunburn and skin irritation. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n