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Medicines That Increase the Chance for a Heat-Related Illness

Many medicines change your body's ability to stay cool.

  • Some antidepressants.
  • Antihistamines.
  • Some blood pressure medicines.
  • Some sedative medicines.
  • Thyroid medicine.

Alcohol and illegal drugs, such as methamphetamines, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, PCP (phencyclidine hydrochloride), and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), also affect your ability to sense dehydration or heat-related symptoms. These substances also reduce your judgment about whether treatment is needed for a heat-related illness.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised September 1, 2011

Last Revised: September 1, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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