Summertime and Our Meds

[Andi]

Part 1: Heatstroke
Yay!!! Summer is here! Summer means sunny days, warm weather, grilling out, picnics in the park, 4th of July fireworks, camping with friends. For most, summer is a carefree time. But for those of us that take psychotropic medications, it means taking special precautions to ensure our health and safety. In Part 1, we will talk about heatstroke and how our meds can increase our chances of a heat related illness. In Part 2, we will talk about how our meds can increase our risk of sunburn.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency when the body's temperature-regulating system breaks down. The victim can't sweat and is unable to cool himself. Internal body temperature often rises as high as 108 degrees, which can cause irreversible brain damage and death. High temperatures injure endothelial* cells and damage almost every organ, including liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and muscle.

A Few Facts About Heatstroke:

* It's more likely when the outside temperature is very hot. * A heat wave is defined by the National Weather Service as 3 or more consecutive days of temperatures at or above 90°F (32.2°C ).

* Hyperpyrexia (core temperature greater than 105°F [40.6°C ]) and central nervous system impairment causing delirium or coma are characteristic.

* The death rate for heatstroke ranges from 10% to 75%, depending on other variables, but averages 25%.

* Mentally ill patients are a high-risk group. Some may not have the cognitive abilities to protect themselves; others are taking psychotropic medications that affect heat regulation.

Heatstroke is more likely when taking the following drugs:

* Antipsychotics - especially:
o Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
o Thioridazine (Mellaril)
o Mesoridazine (Serentil)
o Clozapine (Clozaril)
o Risperidone (Risperdal)
o Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
o Quetiapine (Seroquel)
o Ziprasidone (Geodon)

* Antiparkinson drugs such as:
o Benztropine (Cogentin)
o Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
o Procyclidine (Arpicolin, Kemadrin)
o Biperiden

* Antihistamines such as:
o diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
o chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Sinutab Sinus Allergy)

* Antidepressants, especially tricyclics such as:
o Imipramine (Tofranil)
o Amitriptyline (Elavil)
o Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
o Doxepin (Sinequan)
o Desipramine (Norpramin)
o Protriptyline (Vivactil)

Do's:

* Sleep in a cool place.
* Drink extra fluids. Water is best because the body absorbs cooler solutions fast. Other fluids are juice, Gatorade, caffeine-free soda.
* Increase salt intake if no physical problems.
* If you take Lithium, use extra salt in addition to extra fluids.
* Spend time in cool places (shopping malls, movies, etc.)
* Wear loose, light-colored summer-weight clothing.
* Use fans or air conditioning.
* When feeling warm, use cool wet compresses or sit in a tub of cool water.
* Remain with another person.

Don'ts:

* Engage in strenuous exercise.
* Drink alcoholic beverages, coffee and soda with caffeine (caffeine and alcohol increase water loss).
* Spend time outside in the sun.
* Sleep or sit in hot conditions.

Warning Signs:

* Nausea, headache, feeling poorly, weakness
* Irritability, anxiety
* Fast pulse, rapid breathing, dizziness
* Hot OR dry skin, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea

*Endothelial cells line blood vessels, body cavities, organs and the inner layer of the cornea of the eye, among other things.


Part 2: Medications and Sunburn
Sunburn can be a lot more serious than just the discomfort and pain associated with it. It can lead to skin cancer, which can develop from only one serious burn. Other effects include premature aging, wrinkles, freckles, and sun spots (which can turn malignant). One factor that is capable of increasing the risk for sunburn is medications. Several drugs cause a photosensitivity reaction. Although continuing the medication is crucial to your health, there are several ways to help protect yourself from sunburn, by following the same guidelines in which you protect yourself from skin cancer.

Protecting yourself:

* ALWAYS wear sunscreen. Don't forget face, ears, and back of neck. SPF 30 is recommended.
* Try to keep as much of your body covered as possible.
* Wear light colored, lightweight, loose fitting clothing.
* Use waterproof or sport sunscreen if you will be active.

Meds that increase risk:

* Anti-anxiety - Alprazolam (Xanax)
* Antidepressants such as:
o Amitriptyline (Elavil)
o Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
o Paroxetine (Paxil)
o Sertraline (Zoloft)
o Fluoxetine (Prozac)
o Mirtazapine (Remeron)
o Venlaflaxine (Effexor)
o Amoxepin (Asedin)
o Clomipramine (Anafranil)
o Desipramine (Norpramin)
o Imipramine (Tofranil)
o Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
o Phenylizine (Nardil)
o Protriptyline (Vivactil)
o Trazodone (Desyrel)
o Trimipramine (Surmontil)

* Anti-seizures (mood stabilizers) such as:
o Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
o Valproic acid (Depakene)
o Divalproex (Depakote)
o Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
o Topiramate (Topamax)

* Antipsychotics such as:
o Risperidone (Risperdal)
o Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
o Haloperidol (Haldol)
o Thioridazine (Mellaril)

* Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl)

Please note that these lists are not complete, but are intended to provide you with handful of drug products, both over-the-counter and prescription, which may cause a photosensitivity reaction or increase your chances of heatstroke. If your medication is not listed, or if you are not sure if your medication causes a problem, please consult your pharmacist or psychiatrist.

Now that we have scared the living daylights out of you, we want to reassure you that you DO NOT HAVE TO STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICATION!! It was prescribed for your particular condition, and you SHOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATION!!

Have an enjoyable summer!


http://bipolar.about.com/b/a/094640.htm?nl=1

[josh]

I don’t know much about his medicine…..since you are talking about this medicine here…..I was curious about it and I searched for some information about it:

Benztropine helps in reducing the effects of specific chemicals that occur naturally in the body which may undergo imbalance as a result of a disease, drug therapy, and other situations.

[bandie08]

bingo no wonder why I got such an intense sunburn in florida on the band trip. I take prozac for anxiety.