I didn’t know my medication made me more sensitive to the sun

Summer holidays are meant to be a relaxing, stress-free affair.

But after seven beautiful days of sun, sand and sea on the idyllic Greek island of Rhodes, I found myself battling dizziness and nausea for 48 hours.

After a quick Google search, I discovered my symptoms matched those for heat exhaustion, something I had never experienced before.

It was only then that I found out my medication, which I take for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), makes me more sensitive to heat.

Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said medicine can “alter how your body responds to heat or sunlight”.

I had never before considered that my prescription could influence the way my body copes in high temperatures.

But, according to Dr Cave, “there are many medicines that can increase your sensitivity to heat and sunlight”.

Prescriptions range from diuretics and blood pressure medications to antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Certain drugs can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, suppress thirst and reduce your ability to sweat.

Some, like the stimulants I take, raise your body temperature, making you more vulnerable to overheating.

“We also see a number of commonly prescribed medications – including some antibiotics, antidepressants, acne treatments, and painkillers like ibuprofen – that can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun,” Dr Cave added.

For me, the warning of this possibility had been there all along, in the informational leaflet that comes along with my prescription.

But I didn’t properly read that advice until I returned home from the holiday, wondering whether my meds were the reason I had been so sick.

Dr Cave recommended that you should “always read the patient information leaflet, and don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for guidance”, if taking medication when the weather is warmer.

Emergency departments across the UK have recently reported a surge in people seeking urgent care during the August heatwave.

The signs of heat exhaustion can include dizziness, headaches, excessive sweating, fatigue, nausea and muscle cramps.

Left unchecked it can progress to heatstroke, a medical emergency that can be life-threatening.

Looking back, my symptoms make perfect sense. The sun was unrelenting in Rhodes, reaching temperatures up to the mid-30s.

Not knowing that I was at a heightened risk, I was drinking far less water than I should have, and sitting in direct sunlight at the hottest time of day, hoping to get a tan.

If someone is experiencing the symptoms of heat stroke, the NHS recommends moving them to a cool place, removing unnecessary layers, getting them to drink something hydrating, and cooling their skin.

If they do not feel better after 30 minutes or have any other symptoms of heatstroke, you should call 999.

Dr Cave said if you are taking medication and the weather turns warmer, the MHRA’s advice is clear: “Stay hydrated, stay informed, and take sensible precautions.”

This includes ensuring medication is stored in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.

She also stressed the importance of reporting any side effects related to heat or sunlight while taking medication via the Yellow Card scheme, and not stopping medication without speaking to a doctor first.

Overall, I returned from my holiday with more than just a sun tan.

I came home with a new-found understanding of the impact my medication can have on my body, and a reminder to thoroughly read through the leaflets that come along with any medication I take.