In Arizona's extreme heat, some common medications may increase your risk

As temperatures climb, it may be a good time to check your medicine cabinet. The University of Arizona’s Heat and Medications Task Force reports several common medications could be making you more susceptible to heat-related illness.

The list includes some types of antidepressants, antihistamines, stimulants, blood pressure medications and even some over-the-counter drugs. Some medications may reduce sweating or decrease the body’s ability to retain fluids while others might increase sensitivity to sunlight.

Any of those impacts on the body could raise someone’s risk in a scorching Arizona summer, said Mona Arora, who leads the Heat and Medications Task Force.

“We have what we call ‘chronic heat’ here in Arizona, with our heat season going up to six months in a year,” Arora said. “So how can we take [medications] safely, without compromising ourselves?”

Arora said the Task Force, now in its third year, was created out of a recognition that there was a need in Arizona for more information about heat risks, both for people who take medications and for medical professionals who prescribe or dispense them.

The Task Force includes University of Arizona College of Public Health's Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate and Health, the Arizona Department of Health Services and other agencies.

Arora said one of the group's goals is to get Arizona’s medical providers to be more cognizant of potential impacts of heat and to more clearly communicate risks to patients.

“Is it a change to adjust the dosage? Is it a recommendation to maybe have the individual increase their fluids?” Arora said.

Arora said the Task Force is working with the University of Arizona College of Medicine to integrate more heat training into the medical school curriculum.

The Task Force is also working to get more Arizonans asking questions about heat and medications.

“If you haven’t talked to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, have that conversation next time you have that appointment,” Arora said. “From a community standpoint, the message we’re really trying to promote is just ‘be more aware.’”

University of Arizona Heat and Medications Task Force