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Medicines That Could Put You At Risk For Heat-Related Illness

Posted: 6:16 pm EDT August 2, 2006Updated: 6:22 pm EDT August 2, 2006

Medications that can put people at more risk for heat-related illness:

  • Any medication that has what are called anticholinergic properties. These can be over-the-counter medicines like Benadryl, Dramamine or any antihistamine or allergy medication. Also, medicines used to treat irritable bowels and bladder, and medicines commonly used to treat Parkinson’s.

  • Some of the antidepressants or sedatives in the group of what are called benzodiazepines, such as Clonopin, Valium and Librium.

  • Diuretics, because they can dehydrate you.

  • Some of the older tricyclic antidepressants used to treat panic attacks – medicines like Tofranil, Nortriptylene, Elavil and Sinequan.