Heat risk from meds highlighted during UK heatwave

A personal account shows how some ADHD meds can heighten heat sensitivity, underscoring the need for clearer warnings during heatwaves.

Heat sensitive ADHD medication linked to heat exhaustion

Erin Lister recalls seven sun filled days on Rhodes that turned to dizziness and nausea. She learned the ADHD medication she takes may increase sensitivity to heat and sunlight, a risk Dr Alison Cave of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency says is shared by many medicines. The article notes that warnings can stretch across diuretics, antidepressants and stimulants, and that patients should read the patient information leaflet and ask a pharmacist or clinician about weather related risks before travel.

With the UK heatwave driving more emergency visits, health officials stress practical steps: stay hydrated, avoid the hottest part of the day, and store medicines in a cool, dry place away from direct sun. NHS guidance outlines signs of heat illness and when to seek urgent care, while the MHRA urges people to report side effects through the Yellow Card scheme and not to stop medications without medical advice.

This piece highlights a less discussed risk at the climate health edge: how medicines can change the body’s response to heat. It reframes heat safety as a medical issue, not just a weather concern. It also spotlights a gap between casual travel preparation and clinical guidance, suggesting patients often miss warnings about heat when they fill a prescription.

The broader implication is clear. Health care providers should reinforce heat related warnings with every prescription, especially for stimulants and other drugs known to affect thermoregulation. Labeling, pharmacist counseling, and digital reminders could better protect patients during heatwaves and in hot destinations.

Highlights

Heat safety and medicine warnings belong together, especially when the sun is strongest.