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

Why Appalachia is one of the world’s worst hotspots for dangerous floods

Paris Agreement 10 years on: More wins than you may realize

States that rely on the Colorado River miss deadline to agree on cuts

If the US has to build data centers, here’s where they should go

Environment takeaways from the spending deal

Philippines climate protests spotlight whether money is reaching the most vulnerable

Newsom presents California as reliable partner at U.N. climate talks

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.