Warning to antidepressant users as heat wave temperatures hit 100 degrees

Can’t take the heat? Your medication might be to blame. Doctors are warning that people taking certain antidepressants could be at risk of serious health problems as temperatures soar into the triple digits. They’re urging users to take extra precautions as the tristate swelters — before it’s too late.“If you’re taking certain antidepressants, you may be at risk for developing heat intolerance and dehydration,” Dr.Zachary Rubin, a pediatrician and immunologist, warned in a recent TikTok video.Studies show about 1 in 8 American adults take antidepressants.

Research suggests that two major types can interfere with how the body regulates temperature.The first group, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), includes widely prescribed drugs like Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram).The second group, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), includes older meds such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Anafranil (clomipramine) and Silenor (doxepin).Studies show these medications can spike internal body temps to 106°F or higher — while also throwing a wrench in the body’s natural cooling system.“You may excessively sweat or you may not be able to sweat quite as much,” Rubin explained.That’s no small issue: Sweating is the body’s primary defense against overheating.

Without it, your chances of heatstroke, organ failure and even death increase substantially.Research shows SSRIs and TCAs may also mess with the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that helps regulate body temperature, thirst and blood pressure.“When the hypothalamus cannot control body temperature, someone can overheat,” Dr.David Tzall, a licensed psychologist, told Medical News Today.That increased heat sensitivity increases your chances of heat exhaustion, which has symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, headaches and heavy sweating, according to the Cleveland Clinic.Left unchecked, heat exhaustion can ...