Some drugs can cause overheating

Tag : tiotropium bromide

Q: You mentioned several types of medications that increase the riskof hyperthermia during hot weather. Would you provide a detailedlist?
A: Hot weather can cause the body to overheat, called hyperthermia.The evaporation of sweat is the body's primary way of cooling off.
Numerous medications impair the body's ability to sweat and soboost the risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, conditionscovered in a recent column.
The chief culprits are drugs with anticholinergic effects,including antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics,anti-Parkinson's disease agents, anti-nausea/motion sicknessagents, anti-diarrheal agents, antispasmodic agents, anti-asthmadrugs and antiarrhythmic heart drugs.
The following is the detailed list you requested, by generic name:
• Antihistamines: chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine,diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine
• Antidepressants: amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine, mirtazapine,nortriptyline, protriptyline
• Antipsychotics: chlorpromazine, clozapine, fluphenazine, haloperidol,mesoridazine, olanzapine, pimozide, prochlorperazine, promethazine,risperidone, thioridazine, thiothixene, quetiapine, ziprasidone
• Anti-Parkinson's agents: amantadine, benztropine, biperiden, trihexyphenidyl
• Anti-nausea/motion sickness agents: dimenhydrinate, meclizine, prochlorperazine, promethazine,scopolamine (e.g., ear patch for motion sickness),trimethobenzamide
• Anti-diarrheal agents: diphenoxylate/atropine
• Antispasmodic agents: belladonna alkaloids, clidinium, darifenacin, dicyclomine,flavoxate, hyoscyamine, oxybutynin, propantheline, solifenacin,tolterodine, trospium
• Anti-asthma drugs: ipratropium bromide, tiotropium
• Antiarrhythmic heart drugs: disopyramide, quinidine, procainamide
If you've taken one these medications, you've likely experiencedone or more of the following anticholinergic side effects: drymouth, dry skin, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, constipation andurinary retention. (The last-mentioned effect further worsensurination difficulties caused by an enlarged prostate.)
Anticholinergic drugs also tend to cause confusion and impairedmemory, particularly in elderly persons. In fact, they directlyoppose the effects of drugs prescribed to improve memory in thosewith Alzheimer's disease.
Dehydration, or excessive loss of body water, boosts the risk ofhyperthermia.
Drugs with potential to cause diarrhea or nausea/vomiting can leadto dehydration due to loss of body water. These includemagnesium-containing antacids, laxatives, misoprostol and exenatide(Byetta injection for diabetes).
Aspirin and other salicylates can contribute to dehydration byincreasing perspiration and the rate and depth of breathing. (Eachexhalation takes a bit of body water with it).
Amphetamines, carbenicillin, dexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate,topiramate and zonisamide raise the risk for hyperthermia in otherways.
Use extra care not to overheat during hot weather if you take anyof these medications.
If you need help sorting out whether any of your meds might put youat greater risk, check with your pharmacist. Richard Harkness is a consultant pharmacist, natural medicinesspecialist and author of eight published books. Write him at 1224King Henry Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 or rharkn@aol.com .