Pharmacist issues antidepressant ‘hydrate’ alert for anyone on them

A pharmacist has issued an important health alert to anyone on medications that may interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. The hot temperatures across the UK could pose serious risks for some people, the expert has cautioned, due to the danger of overheating.

The warning came this week as temperatures soared to record levels for May, hitting 35.1°C at Kew Gardens in Greater London. While showers are expected in some parts over the weekend, the Met Office is predicting further “sunny and very warm” conditions in the days ahead.

Ashley Ó Dubháin, a pharmacist, healthcare commentator, and digital creator from Ireland, has warned everyone taking antidepressants to “stay safe” in the summer heat. Taking to TikTok under the username @Ashthepharmacist, he said: “This is a public service announcement for anybody who’s taking antidepressants, any sort of antidepressants in this heat.

“Even here in Ireland, not just if you’re going away on holidays, you may run the risk of overheating because of how the medication works.” Ashley explained: “So look, if you’re taking an SSRI and an SNRI, you’re taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, if you’re taking a tricyclic like amitriptyline, all of these things can impair how your body perceives heat, but also how it manages being hot because it can impair your hypothalamus, which is basically your body’s thermostat.

“And also some medications, like the older ones, the tricyclic antidepressants, for example, like amitriptyline, have anticholinergic side effects, is what we call it. So it can impair your ability to sweat, which is obviously, as humans, how we lose heat, how we regulate our body temperatures.”

While Ashley stresses that his videos are intended purely for educational purposes, and anyone requiring medical assistance should consult their GP, he did offer some general guidance, reports the Mirror.

“So what I would tell people to do is just to take the generic advice, particularly in the hot days, is to avoid being out at the hottest times during the day. So that’s between like 11am to 3pm or 4pm,” he shared.

Ashley concluded: “Make sure you’re staying really, really well hydrated. Because getting dehydrated, particularly if you’re taking an SSRI or an SNRI is a risk factor for developing serotonin syndrome, which is a very rare but I will say a very serious side effect of taking this classification of medications.

“So staying really well hydrated, avoiding the heat in the middle of the day, wearing long, loose- fitting clothing, and taking cold showers whenever you need it.” His caption added: “Stay safe out there guys.”

According to the UK Health Security Agency: “Medications commonly taken for chronic conditions, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, or drugs used to treat mental health issues (like antipsychotics and common antidepressants like SSRIs), can also alter the body’s ability to cool itself or keep fluids, making people even more susceptible to complications.

“It is important to understand how your medication affects your body’s response to heat and reread any instructions or speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.”

The NHS says: “Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.” If someone has heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place, remove all unnecessary clothing, give them a rehydration drink, and cool their skin. Call 999 if you or someone else shows signs of heatstroke.