Summer Heat and Medications: Experts Suggest Best Storage Tips to Prevent Changes in Effectiveness

Amid the heat wave in the U.S., doctors are warning patients, especially parents and grandparents who are taking medications, that their pills may bring different side effects or reduce their effectiveness.

Dr. Barbara Bawer, a primary care doctor from Ohio, told WebMD that it's not uncommon for patients to complain about experiencing new and adverse reactions to their medications this summer. She said that it's important for patients to be proactive and inform their pharmacist or doctor if they notice the changes in their maintenance drugs or prescription medication.

Bawer's patient, Fred Price, said he had dizzy spells after going for a walk in the daytime. He did not think this was due to his blood pressure medication and the summer heat. But after discussing this with the doctor, Price said he's trying to limit his time out in the sun when he's medicated. He's also making sure that his pills are properly stored.

Read Also: Babies Younger than 6 Months Should Not Drink Water in this Heatwave, Pediatricians Warn 

Best storage tips for medicines

Bawer said that medications must always come in the container dispensed by the pharmacist. If people want to put these in a pill organizer, they need to tell their pharmacist that the medicine will be transferred to a different container when they get home.

Dr. Sarah Westberg of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy told NPR that all medications need to be stored in a dark and dry place unless there are specific instructions for refrigeration. Keeping heat, light, or humidity away from pills is vital because some medicines lose efficacy and could be harmful when ingested.

People who have their medicines delivered to their house must devise a different arrangement. It's never a good idea to leave the medicines by the front door or inside the mailbox.

Pharmacist Gina Carson, who works at Quest First Pharmacy, told News On 6 that her company always requires customers to sign the deliveries personally. This way, nothing is left on the porch or the mailbox.

Carson said that even birth control pills or acne medications are heat sensitive. She advised calling the pharmacy for a replacement if any pills were left out in the heat too long, such as inside a hot car.

People who need to carry medications inside their bags, such as inhalers for asthma attacks, must always check the expiration date. If this has been left in the heat for a few hours, which means it hasn't been in an ideal condition, better call the pharmacist to ascertain if it's still safe to use.

Heat-related risks when medicating

Medications for high blood pressure or allergies may limit the body's ability to sweat, which means a person may feel overheated when the weather is hot. Bawer said that sweating is the body's cooling mechanism, which could lead to heatstroke if impeded. Certain decongestants may also raise the body's risk of overheating. If someone in the family is suffering from a cold in this summer heat, talk to the pharmacist for other options.

On the other hand, other medications are diuretics that remove sweat and water from the body. This can lead to dehydration, which may be dangerous if the person is not drinking enough glasses of water in this heat wave.

Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your concerns when in doubt.

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