{"id":636888,"date":"2026-07-13T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=636888"},"modified":"2026-07-09T13:21:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T17:21:58","slug":"antidepressant-summer-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/antidepressant-summer-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"Your antidepressant is making summer harder than it needs to be"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer heat is hard enough on its own. But if you’re taking an antidepressant, you may find it harder than usual to stay comfortable or safe when temperatures rise. Some antidepressants can cause heat intolerance, an increased sensitivity to heat that goes beyond simply feeling warm. Here’s what you need to know about that risk and how to protect yourself or a loved one taking an <\/span>antidepressant<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do antidepressants cause heat intolerance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, antidepressants can cause heat intolerance. This is a documented, reported side effect, not an uncommon one, and not imagined. If you’ve recently started taking an antidepressant (such as sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), or fluoxetine (Prozac) or had your dose increased, that may explain a sudden sensitivity to heat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Certain medications can cause heat sensitivity<\/span><\/a>, and antidepressants are among them. Heat sensitivity can emerge when starting a new antidepressant or when the dose is increased. The body is still adapting to shifts in neurotransmitter activity, and that’s often when side effects are most noticeable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen starting or increasing a dose, the body is adapting to changes in neurotransmitter activity,\u201d explains Dr. Jeffrey Chester, DO, medical director of <\/span>The Ohana Luxury Addiction Treatment Center<\/span><\/a> in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. \u201cDuring this time, patients are often most vulnerable to side effects, including heat intolerance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s because neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain that help nerve cells communicate) are involved in the regulation of body temperature. Serotonin, in particular, affects thermoregulation, which is why medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can influence how the body responds to heat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile heat intolerance is not a given with these medications, everyone reacts differently,\u201d cautions Dr. <\/span>Kaitlin Slaven<\/span><\/a>, MD, a psychiatrist with the Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center in Bethesda, Maryland.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Which antidepressants cause heat intolerance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to a<\/span> review<\/span><\/a> of drug-induced hyperthermia in the journal <\/span>Cureus<\/span><\/i>, two classes of antidepressants are among the medications that can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate temperature. They are: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are<\/span> also associated with an impaired or altered ability to sweat<\/span><\/a>, which limits the body’s ability to cool itself effectively. Antidepressants are among the<\/span> most widely prescribed<\/span><\/a> medications in the U.S., and SSRIs are the<\/span> most commonly prescribed<\/span><\/a> type of antidepressant.<\/span><\/p>\n

“These common SSRIs share class effects that can reduce heat tolerance via disrupted thermoregulation and increased sweating, raising risks of dehydration and heat-related illness,” says<\/span> Jamie Waarbroek<\/span><\/a>, PMHNP, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Neuro Wellness Spa.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, heat intolerance isn’t inevitable. “Most patients can take them safely during the warmer months,” says Dr. Chester. “However, it’s important to pay attention to signs of heat illness and stay well hydrated.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s what to know if you’re taking one of these three<\/span> commonly prescribed SSRIs<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

Sertraline (Zoloft)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sertraline<\/span><\/a> (Zoloft)<\/span> can disrupt the body’s normal cooling process<\/span><\/a>, contributing to heat intolerance in some people who take it. According to the FDA<\/span> prescribing information for sertraline<\/span><\/a>, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is among the most common adverse reactions, reported at a rate of at least 5% and at least twice that of placebo.<\/span> Research<\/span><\/a> suggests that a significantly increased risk of hyperhidrosis is associated with most second-generation antidepressants, including both SSRIs and SNRIs, and that dose does not appear to increase the risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Escitalopram (Lexapro)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Escitalopram<\/span><\/a> (Lexapro) is an SSRI with the same class-level risk of heat-related effects as sertraline. According to the<\/span> FDA prescribing information for Lexapro<\/span><\/a>, increased sweating is among the most commonly reported adverse reactions, occurring at an incidence of at least 5% and at least twice that of placebo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fluoxetine (Prozac)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fluoxetine<\/span><\/a> (Prozac) is also a popular SSRI prescribed for several conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and others. Some people taking <\/span>fluoxetine<\/span><\/a> may also notice that they\u2019re sweating more. Sweating is also listed as a possible adverse effect in the FDA\u2019s <\/span>prescribing information for Prozac <\/span><\/a>(fluoxetine).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other antidepressants and heat risk<\/span><\/h3>\n

SNRIs<\/span><\/a> carry a similar heat-related risk to SSRIs. Excessive sweating is a possible side effect of this class as well, which can impair the body’s ability to cool itself. Commonly prescribed SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma) and venlafaxine (Effexor).<\/span><\/p>\n

Tricyclic antidepressants<\/span><\/a> (TCAs) carry a particularly high risk. TCAs are first-generation antidepressants that are now less commonly prescribed for depression, though providers do still prescribe them for other uses. TCAs have strong<\/span> anticholinergic effects, which can impair the body’s ability to sweat<\/span><\/a> (a critical cooling mechanism). They also cause dry mouth and skin, constipation, and urinary retention.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Those taking anticholinergic antidepressants are at a particular risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke,” says Dr. Slaven, adding that they should take precautions and watch for warning signs.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re taking more than one antidepressant, talk to a healthcare provider. The combination can compound heat risk and make it harder for the body to regulate temperature, according to UVA Health.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Generic name<\/b><\/td>\nBrand name<\/b><\/td>\nDrug class<\/b><\/td>\nHeat-related effects noted in prescribing information<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sertraline<\/span><\/td>\nZoloft<\/span><\/td>\nSSRI<\/span><\/td>\nCan cause possible <\/span>hyperhidrosis<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Escitalopram<\/span><\/td>\nLexapro<\/span><\/td>\nSSRI<\/span><\/td>\nIncreased sweating<\/span><\/a> possible<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fluoxetine<\/span><\/td>\nProzac<\/span><\/td>\nSSRI<\/span><\/td>\nCan lead to <\/span>increased sweating<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Why do antidepressants affect your body temperature?<\/span><\/h2>\n

SSRIs work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin in the brain. This increases the amount of this neurotransmitter available in the synapses. The <\/span>hypothalamus<\/span><\/a> is a small structure deep in your brain that maintains your body\u2019s internal systems, such as blood pressure, hunger, and body temperature. This type of medication prevents the reuptake of this important chemical messenger that affects mood, sleep, digestion, sexual desire, and other functions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to altering what\u2019s essentially the body\u2019s thermostat, they can also alter the body\u2019s sweating mechanisms, Waarbroek says. \u201cSertraline and fluoxetine are specifically noted in CDC materials for sweating effects,\u201d she adds. \u201cEscitalopram has been linked in studies to higher heat-related illness rates during heatwaves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Some antidepressants can also indirectly contribute to blood vessel constriction. They increase serotonin levels, which tends to make blood vessels narrow. When a drug contributes to the constriction of blood vessels, it can also limit the body\u2019s ability to release heat and cool down. <\/span>Research on antidepressants and vascular effects<\/span><\/a> suggests this is less likely with SSRIs than with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of heat intolerance on antidepressants?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Heat intolerance is more than feeling warm on a hot day. Someone experiencing it may feel unusually weak or uncomfortable, develop a headache or shortness of breath, or notice heart palpitations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Excessive sweating is also worth noting separately. Hyperhidrosis is among the more common adverse effects of SSRIs and can occur even in moderate temperatures. It’s a distinct side effect of the medication, not only a sign of heat exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n

More serious heat-related illness can develop if early symptoms go unaddressed.<\/span><\/p>\n