Feeling a little more sensitive to the heat this summer? It could be your medications. Some common ones can have different side effects when it’s hot outside, says Savitha Vivian, PharmD. She’s the senior vice president of clinical formulary for OptumRx®. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to spending the season indoors. You just need to be a little proactive and keep an eye out for new symptoms.

Here are the top three medication side effects to watch for in summer.

1. Dehydration

When your body doesn’t have enough water, you can become dehydrated. And some medications such as diuretics reduce your fluid levels.¹ (They’re often given for high blood pressure.)

“With heat, the dehydrating effect of some medications can be intensified. You may be losing more fluids than you think,” says Vivian. So you may need to drink more water than usual.

You’ll also need more water if you take laxatives, adds Vivian. They increase water loss, too.

Other medications that can increase dehydration or symptoms of dehydration:

• Certain medications for type 2 diabetes (Invokana®, Farxiga® and Jardiance®)
• Pain relievers with caffeine (Excedrin Migraine® or Midol®)
• Autoimmune medications such as Otezla®
• Bipolar disorder medications such as lithium, which can increase the urge to pee
• Allergy medications, which cause dry mouth and eyes

Prevention tip: The easiest way to prevent dehydration is to simply drink more water, says Vivian. And eat more fruits and vegetables, which are also high in water.

2. Heat exhaustion

When it’s hot and humid, your body sweats to cool you down, Vivian says. But some medications might get in the way of that process. If it lasts too long, you can get heat exhaustion. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, trouble concentrating, lightheadedness, and feeling tired and weak.

You can’t always tell when your body is getting too hot. But if you have any of these signs, it’s time to get out of the heat, says Vivian.

Medications that might put you at risk of heat exhaustion include:

• Blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers, which reduce blood flow to your skin, making it harder to cool down
• Certain mental health medications such as Haldol®, which can block signals that you’re getting too hot
• Some antihistamine allergy medications, which can reduce sweating
• Decongestants, which can decrease blood flow to your skin

Prevention tip: A few smart habits can help keep you safe. Skip hard physical activity in high heat. Drink plenty of water. Wear light, loose-fitting clothes. And stay indoors or in shaded areas when it’s very hot.

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3. Sunburn

Your skin can always benefit from less sun. And if you’re taking certain medications, you’ll want to be extra careful. They can make your skin extra sensitive to sunburns.²

“When you’re taking some meds and you’re in the sun, you might not think you’ll get burned in such a short amount of time, but it can definitely happen,” Vivian says.

And you may get a rash or skin tenderness before a sunburn develops. Here are the most common medications that can make this happen:

• Antibiotics such as tetracycline³
• Statins for high cholesterol
• Birth control pills
• Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen

Prevention tip: Staying out of the sun, especially during peak hours, is your safest bet. And don’t forget the sunscreen. (Stock up now.)

The bottom line? Paying attention to how you feel can help reduce summer-related side effects, says Vivian. And stay in touch with your doctor or pharmacist — never stop medication without checking in first.

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