Home / Health / Heatwave Alert: Your Meds Could Fail in the Sun!
Heatwave Alert: Your Meds Could Fail in the Sun!
27 May
Summary
- Heat can degrade insulin, reducing its ability to control blood sugar.
- EpiPens and asthma inhalers may become less reliable in high temperatures.
- Diuretics and antihistamines increase dehydration and reduce body cooling.
A pharmacy expert is cautioning millions of individuals in Britain about the potential impact of the current heatwave on their common medications. High temperatures can compromise the effectiveness and stability of various drugs, necessitating careful attention to storage and personal response.
Insulin, crucial for diabetes management, can degrade in heat, diminishing its blood sugar control capabilities. Similarly, adrenaline auto-injectors like EpiPens may become less stable and reliable if stored above the recommended 25°C. Asthma inhalers can also experience pressure changes in heat, potentially affecting accurate medication delivery.
Furthermore, medications such as diuretics, which promote fluid loss, can increase the risk of dehydration during hot weather. Antihistamines, often used for hay fever, can reduce the body's ability to cool itself by limiting sweating. Some antidepressants may interfere with temperature regulation, raising the risk of overheating.
Certain antibiotics can cause photosensitivity, increasing sunburn risk, while acne treatments like retinoids can make skin more vulnerable to UV damage. The expert advises storing most medications in cool, dry places and always checking patient information leaflets for specific instructions. Staying hydrated, using sunscreen, and consulting a pharmacist about any changes in medication appearance are also crucial steps.
