Hands up who is Billy boiling right now? Same! And luckily this heat looks set to continue in many areas for the weekend too – but experts are warning that it’s important not to forget that certain medications can be impacted by hot weather, in particular some used to treat mental health conditions.
Some forms of antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs can interfere with a person’s ability to regulate their body temperature, causing them to sweat more and therefore be at a higher risk of dehydration.
According to Dr Wendy Burn, former head of the Royal College of Psychiatrist, there are other side effects related to heat to be mindful of too.
Dr Burn explains that some medications can also make it more of a challenge for a patient to tell when they're thirsty or leave their skin more sensitive to the sun causing a reaction (so it's more important than ever to use a high factor SPF, that has five stars on the bottle and offers both UVA and UVB protection).
Not all antidepressants have this side effect though, it's key to note, but evidence does seem to suggest there's a link between tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics and heat-related illnesses.
Tricyclic antidepressants are not as regularly prescribed as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which work by boosting the amount of serotonin in the brain.
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Mind, the mental health charity, have also posted about SSRIs in the summer, reminding people of the importance of continuing to take their medicine and not stopping abruptly.
"Some mental health medication, including some antidepressants and antipsychotics, can make it harder for your body to regulate temperature in the heat," Mid and North East Essex Mind wrote on Instagram.
"This does not mean you should stop taking your medication. Please don’t stop or change your dose without speaking to your GP, pharmacist or mental health team."
Instead, Mind advises drinking plenty of water, staying cool, avoiding direct sun when possible and checking in on vulnerable loved ones. "If you feel dizzy, confused, sick, very tired or unwell in the heat, move somewhere cooler, drink water and seek advice if needed."
And lastly, if you have any concerns whatsoever with regards to the mental health medication you take (and how it might impact you during hot weather), it's always worth reaching out to your GP or popping into a local pharmacy for a chat with a medical professional.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
To learn more about how to support a loved one struggling with their mental health, reach out to Mind – the infoline is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 6pm, and can be reached at 0300 123 3393. There are also mental health resources on the Mind website.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
