High temperatures can raise risks for people on mental health medications

Heat waves can elevate health risks for those on psychiatric medications, which impair the body's ability to manage heat, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke.

Nina Dietz reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Many psychotropic drugs, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, antipsychotics, and stimulants, alter body temperature regulation by affecting the hypothalamus.
During high heat, people on these medications face increased risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and severe conditions like heat stroke.
Experts suggest preparing for emergencies by consulting with doctors about medication risks and stockpiling essentials.

Key quote:

“When we talk about heat related illness, we’re talking about seven to 10 percent of the impact of heat. Heat is the force multiplier of disease.”

— Dr. Pope Moseley, biomedical sciences researcher and intensive care physician

Why this matters:

As extreme heat events become more frequent due to climate change, people taking medications that affect body temperature regulation face higher risks of life-threatening heat illnesses. Being proactive with doctors about heat-related medication effects can help mitigate these dangers.

insideclimatenews.org

High temperatures can raise risks for people on mental health medications

How big can solar go? These 3 projects show us the gigascale future

See the undersea blob of warm water that may spark a super El Niño

UK ‘built for climate that no longer exists’ and needs urgent changes to survive global heating, report warns

Alabama coal ash lawsuit can continue, appeals court rules

Some Utah cities commit to bringing renewable power to their homes

More rain is falling on New Hampshire. Why do we still hurt for water?

Philippine fishing and Indigenous communities wary of clean energy boom in Marcos stronghold

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.