Millions of French people take these drugs, they increase the risks linked to heat

The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) has issued a reminder of best practices in hot weather. Certain medications can pose risks.

Summer is coming, and the heatwave is already here. During this time, taking medication, even just once, poses risks that aren't always well understood. That's why the ANSM (French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines) has issued a reminder of the best practices to adopt during hot weather.

First, it is recommended to avoid self-medication. "Do not take medication on your own initiative. Even the most common ones like paracetamol and NSAIDs can worsen the symptoms of heatstroke," insists the ANSM. Then, for any treatment, it is best to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist, to find out "if special precautions should be taken with your medication" during extreme heat.

Many treatments can indeed increase heat-related health risks. Some medications, such as antidepressants, migraine medications, anxiolytics, neuroleptics, and opioids, can "disrupt the regulation of body temperature." Others, such as beta-blockers, vasoconstrictors, and diuretics, can reduce sweat production, which is the primary mechanism for regulating body temperature.

Some medications can "aggravate the effects of heat," particularly by reducing blood pressure: antihypertensives and antianginals. Some treatments can even "induce hyperthermia," for example, neuroleptics or serotonin agonists.

Also, certain medications can disrupt kidney function, which is particularly sensitive to high temperatures. These include NSAIDs, aspirin, antibiotics, high blood pressure medications, or more generally, "all medications known to be toxic to the kidneys." People taking sleeping pills, anxiolytics, or drugs should be especially vigilant due to the risk of confusion, drowsiness, and forgetting to drink enough water.

Finally, the ANSM warns of the risk of photosensitivity in the event of sun exposure while taking medications. Some of these medications can in fact cause a sun allergy, which manifests itself as a skin reaction. These include, for example, anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.), statins, diuretics, acne treatments, certain antibiotics, anti-allergy medications, or even medications used in cardiology, psychiatry, or cancer care.