Can’t take the heat? Your medication might be to blame.
Physicians caution that individuals on specific antidepressants might face severe health risks as temperatures rise to extreme levels.
They’re urging users to take extra precautions as the tri-state swelters — before it’s too late.
“Those on certain antidepressants might experience heat intolerance and dehydration,” cautioned Dr. Zachary Rubin, a pediatrician and immunologist, in a recent TikTok video.
Approximately 1 in 8 American adults use antidepressants, according to studies. Research indicates that two primary types of these medications can affect the body’s ability to manage temperature effectively.
The first group, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), includes widely prescribed drugs like Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram).
The second group, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), includes older meds such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Anafranil (clomipramine) and Silenor (doxepin).
Studies show these medications can spike internal body temps to 106°F or higher — while also throwing a wrench in the body’s natural cooling system.
“You may excessively sweat or you may not be able to sweat quite as much,” Rubin explained.
That’s no small issue: Sweating is the body’s primary defense against overheating. Without it, your chances of heatstroke, organ failure and even death increases substantially.
Research shows SSRIs and TCAs may also mess with the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that helps regulate body temperature, thirst and blood pressure.
“When the hypothalamus cannot control body temperature, someone can overheat,” Dr. David Tzall, a licensed psychologist, told Medical News Today.
That increased heat sensitivity increases your chances of heat exhaustion, which has symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, headaches and heavy sweating, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Left unchecked, heat exhaustion can quickly escalate into heat stroke — the most dangerous form of heat-related illness.
At that stage, the body can begin to shut down, triggering seizures, hot dry skin or intense sweating, loss of consciousness and serious brain trouble, including confusion, erratic behavior and slurred speech.
In extreme cases, heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death.
“If you begin to feel a rapid heartbeat, start sweating excessively, develop nausea, dizziness or leg cramping, immediately seek air conditioning and if necessary, have someone call 911,” Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician, told Health.com.
Still, experts say SSRIs and TCAs are safe and effective — as long as patients know the risks and can spot the warning signs before things turn dangerous.
Rubin recommends staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun and wearing loose, light-colored clothing when temperatures climb.
“If you are struggling at all, make sure that you seek out help,” he said.
The warnings come as a once-in-a-century scorcher grips the East Coast, with more than 150 million Americans currently living under “extreme” heat alerts.
Each summer, more than 500 New Yorkers die prematurely because of hot weather, a figure that has been climbing in recent years.
“This week’s heat wave could be deadly and life threatening if you are not prepared,” Mayor Eric Adams warned in a recent public safety alert.
