How to Identify Medications That Increase the Risk of Heat Stroke
When you think of heat stroke, you envision someone working out it the hot sun. While this is often true, heat stroke can also be brought on simply by ingesting certain prescribed and over the counter medications during exposure to the heat.
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Instructions
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Learn About Medications that Cause Heat Stroke
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Learn about the medications you take. When you are prescribed a drug, follow the instructions for taking it and see if there is a risk involved with its consumption. Read all the labels on the bottle. Ask your pharmacist for a printout the drug's possible side effects.
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Identify medications that inhibit perspiration. A selection of medications used to treat Parkinson's disease (such as Benztropine and Trihexyphenidyl) can elicit heat stroke since the drug decreases sweating. This in turn causes a severe rise in body temperature.
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Watch out for drugs that increase metabolism. Stimulant drugs (including cocaine and amphetamines) increase the risk of heat stroke by revving up metabolism and motor activities. This can produce extreme amounts of body heat.
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Use caution when taking diuretics. This type of drug is typically prescribed to heart patients who retain too much fluid in their lungs. Diuretics, such as Lasix (Furosemide), encourage the body to lose water and salt. Monitor your physical activity closely while taking this medication since it could dehydrate you and put you at risk for heat stroke.
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Learn about other medications that increase the chance of heat stroke. Certain antihistamines and antipsychotic medications can lead to heat stroke. Have information on hand about these medications. Refer to WebMD to identify drugs that have heat stroke as a side effect (see Resources below).
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Look for conditions that make people prone to heat stroke. This includes uncontrolled diabetes, obesity and depression treated with Protriptyline.
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Tips & Warnings
Monitor your alcohol intake. This can cause dehydration especially if consumed in a hot environment.
While out dancing, take frequent breaks and have a glass of juice and a salty snack to replenish vital body fluids.
If a person is suspected of taking illegal drugs, and shows signs of heat stroke, take him to a hospital fast. When stimulant drugs (like Ecstasy) are consumed, the body temperature rises and fluids are lost. If this type of drug is taken in an overly-crowded, hot location it can be fatal.
