Common prescription drugs that can be fatal when taken in scorching 35C heatwaves

An incredibly common prescription drug taken by millions of Brits can have dangerous side effects during a heatwave like the one parts of the UK are currently experiencing

For the second time in two weeks, an amber health alert has been issued in parts of the UK due to sweltering temperatures amid an ongoing heatwave.

The South East and London are predicted to see temperatures rise to about 34C-35C on June 1, which will be hotter than Barbados. An amber health alert is issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in times of extreme heat, which could impact people’s health and wellbeing and therefore put strain on public services like the NHS.

A yellow alert, the lowest level, notifies that temperatures will be high but most likely any health impacts will be on those who are vulnerable or elderly – but an amber alert means the entire population could be at risk from the extreme heat, with travel likely to be disrupted, and more ambulances needed.

Experts have warned that five million Brits could also be at a further increased health risk due to a common prescription medication: antidepressants

There are many different kinds of antidepressants but some of the most common are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are the most widely prescribed because, generally, the side effects of them are the easiest to manage, so they are often the kind a GP will start a patient with if they are suffering from anxiety or a persistent low mood.

They are also prescribed for conditions like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and bulimia – amongst others.

SSRIs work, it is thought, by increasing the level of the neurotransmitter Serotonin in the brain, which can improve your sleep and mood.

However, one of the common side effects of SSRIs is sweating more than normal – and in a heatwave this can present a danger, experts have claimed.

As reported in The Sun, this kind of antidepressant impacts the part of the brain that regulates temperature – the hypothalamus – as they influence the different chemical levels in the brain. With more serotonin, it is harder for this internal thermostat to send effective signals that regulate the overall temperature of the body.

“This can lead to excessive sweating,” explained pharmacist Thorrun Govind. This can be counterproductive in hot weather as the body is already struggling to cool down.” Sweating too much can make people dehydrated, and then correspondingly cause a further increase in body temperature.

Another kind of anti-depressant can also present danger during a heatwave, the expert warned: tricyclic antidepressants. These are less commonly prescribed compared to SSRIs, but can impact the function of the brain, which would make it more difficult for someone to notice that they are overheating.

Whilst SSRIs can cause someone to sweat more, tricyclic antidepressants actually do the opposite, and sometimes cause people to sweat less than usual – which in high temperatures can be dangerous, because sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling down.

“In some cases, this disruption can be life-threatening when your body struggles to cope with the soaring temperatures,” Thorrun warned.

However, this does not mean you should stop taking antidepressants if you have been prescribed them – because a sudden withdrawal from these medications can be incredibly dangerous.

Instead, you should take your prescription as your GP has directed and continue that normal – but take extra precautions surrounding the heat.

This should include avoiding going outside or doing exercise during the hottest hours of the day – between 11am and 3pm – and sticking to the shade as much as possible. You should also avoid drinking any alcohol, because this is dehydrating, and make sure you are drinking plenty of water, as well as opting to wear loose breathable fabrics like cotton and linen during a heatwave.