Doctors issue warning on storing medication amid climbing temperatures

Beating the heat looks different for everyone, especially for people who have a medical condition or take medication.Health experts say this is the time to know what medications you are on, how your body reacts to them in the heat, and how to store your medicine properly.Whether you work in it, workout in it or simply cannot avoid being in the heat, safety and health should be a top priority.”Extreme heat can affect patients and people adversely,” Ramesh Imani, director of Advanced Heart Failure and Interventional Cardiology at Christ Hospital, said. “A lot of it is common sense, but if you have medical conditions, you really have to pay a little bit closer attention to the effect that the heat can have on you.”Imani said people with underlying medical conditions who are already on medication can be more prone to illness.”When you’re losing water through sweat, you’re dehydrated, you can be a lot more dizzy, especially when going from a seated position to standing,” Imani said. “You get lightheaded to the point of nearly passing out or passing out. Patients might feel palpitations or skipped heartbeats, racing heart rate related to the dehydration and the exaggerated effects of their medications.”Medications can play a big role in making these symptoms more extreme or causing a larger number of side effects that the medications might already have a tendency to cause, such as dizziness or lightheadedness.”Particularly medications called diuretics, which are intended to help you lose access fluid,” Imani said. “It may be reasonable to cut back those types of medications when you know you’re going to have a lot of exposure to the heat.”Imani said common sense tips for anyone to keep in mind during the heat include:Staying indoorsStaying cool and appropriately dressedAvoiding the heat exposure as much as possibleBeing careful where you store your medicines”Be careful if they’re in a purse or a bag, and that bag is in extreme or direct sunlight or in your locked car,” Imani said. “You want to be careful, try to keep them on you as much as you can to help keep them cool, dry and then they’re still effective.”Imani said to always consult with your medical team before stopping a medication. People taking medications should avoid caffeine and alcohol in the extreme heat because they can cause dehydration.

CINCINNATI —

Beating the heat looks different for everyone, especially for people who have a medical condition or take medication.

Health experts say this is the time to know what medications you are on, how your body reacts to them in the heat, and how to store your medicine properly.

Whether you work in it, workout in it or simply cannot avoid being in the heat, safety and health should be a top priority.

“Extreme heat can affect patients and people adversely,” Ramesh Imani, director of Advanced Heart Failure and Interventional Cardiology at Christ Hospital, said. “A lot of it is common sense, but if you have medical conditions, you really have to pay a little bit closer attention to the effect that the heat can have on you.”

Imani said people with underlying medical conditions who are already on medication can be more prone to illness.

“When you’re losing water through sweat, you’re dehydrated, you can be a lot more dizzy, especially when going from a seated position to standing,” Imani said. “You get lightheaded to the point of nearly passing out or passing out. Patients might feel palpitations or skipped heartbeats, racing heart rate related to the dehydration and the exaggerated effects of their medications.”

Medications can play a big role in making these symptoms more extreme or causing a larger number of side effects that the medications might already have a tendency to cause, such as dizziness or lightheadedness.

“Particularly medications called diuretics, which are intended to help you lose access fluid,” Imani said. “It may be reasonable to cut back those types of medications when you know you’re going to have a lot of exposure to the heat.”

Imani said common sense tips for anyone to keep in mind during the heat include:

• Staying indoors
• Staying cool and appropriately dressed
• Avoiding the heat exposure as much as possible
• Being careful where you store your medicines

“Be careful if they’re in a purse or a bag, and that bag is in extreme or direct sunlight or in your locked car,” Imani said. “You want to be careful, try to keep them on you as much as you can to help keep them cool, dry and then they’re still effective.”

Imani said to always consult with your medical team before stopping a medication. People taking medications should avoid caffeine and alcohol in the extreme heat because they can cause dehydration.

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