Medicines can affect thermoregulation and accentuate the risk of dehydration and heat-related illness during hot weather

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2015 Aug;40(4):363-7. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.12294. Epub 2015 Jun 13.

Abstract

What is known and objective: Hot days are increasingly common and are often associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly. Most heat-related illness and heat-related deaths are preventable.

Comment: Medicines may accentuate the risk of dehydration and heat-related illness, especially in elderly people taking multiple medicines, through the following mechanisms: diuresis and electrolyte imbalance, sedation and cognitive impairment, changed thermoregulation, reduced thirst recognition, reduced sweat production, and hypotension and reduced cardiac output.

What is new and conclusion: Commonly used medicines that may significantly increase the risk include diuretics, especially when combined with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), anticholinergics and psychotropics. Initiation of individualized preventive measures prior to the start of the hot weather season, which includes a review of the patient and their medicines to identify thermoregulatory issues, may reduce the risk of heat-related illness or death.

Keywords: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; anticholinergic agents; antidepressants; dehydration; hot weather; medicines.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Body Temperature Regulation / drug effects
  • Dehydration / etiology
  • Dehydration / prevention & control*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / epidemiology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / prevention & control*
  • Heat Stress Disorders / etiology
  • Heat Stress Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Hot Temperature / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Weather