People who take certain medication to manage anxiety and depression may be more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
SEATTLE — Some patients taking antidepressant medications may be at increased risk for heat-related illnesses this summer, as common prescription drugs can interfere with the body’s natural cooling mechanisms, according to medical experts.
Dr. Lida Turner, Chief of Neurosciences at Providence Swedish First Hill and board-certified psychiatrist, explains that popular antidepressants, including SSRIs like Prozac and SNRIs like Cymbalta, affect the hypothalamus—the region of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature and heart rate.
“That has to do with how they affect our neurotransmitters,” Turner said.
The impact is significant, given that approximately one in 10 American adults reported taking prescription medication for depression in 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Increased Sweating a Common Side Effect
Turner notes that extra sweating is a frequent occurrence among patients on these medications.
“These medications have a common side effect of increasing sweating, and that’s something I see very regularly, which in and of itself is OK. It’s usually just kind of a frustrating thing,” she said.
However, during hot summer weather, the drugs’ effects on temperature regulation can create additional health risks for patients.
Medical Advice: Don’t Stop Medications
Despite the increased heat sensitivity, medical professionals strongly advise against discontinuing antidepressant medications without proper medical supervision.
“It’s not a reason to stop medication suddenly. It’s not something that is a risk that you know, if there’s a heat wave coming up that you should preventatively stop anything,” Turner said.
Instead, doctors recommend that patients on antidepressants pay close attention to symptoms of rare, but more serious heat-related illnesses, including headaches and dizziness.
“If at any point you are feeling like extra hot, that usually is cause for concern,” Turner said.
Prevention and Safety Measures
To help patients manage the summer heat while on antidepressant medications, Dr. Turner recommends:
- Staying properly hydrated
- Taking air conditioning breaks to cool down
- Discussing side effect management strategies with healthcare providers
The medical advice comes as summer temperatures continue to rise, making heat safety particularly important for the millions of Americans who rely on antidepressant medications to manage anxiety and depression.
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