LONDON, Aug. 7 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
People taking certain prescriptionorover‑the‑countermedicines are being reminded to take extra care in warmerweather, as some treatments canmakeitharder for the body to stay hydrated, regulate temperature, or cope with sun exposure.
The advice is part of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) 'Summer-proof your health'campaign, which highlights practical steps people can take to use medicines and medical devices safely during warmer months.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said:
"Some commonly used medicines can affect the body's ability to stay hydrated, regulatetemperature,or protect itself from sun exposure.For example, diuretics, often prescribed for blood pressureor heart conditions, can increase fluidlossand make dehydration more likely. Some antidepressants and antipsychotics can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature,andmedicines such as beta blockers may reduce the body's response to heat stress.
"Other treatments canincrease sensitivity to sunlight, meaningskin can burn faster ormore severely than expected. These include certain antibioticssuch asdoxycycline andtetracycline,acnetreatments like isotretinoin and topical retinoids; and antifungal medicines such asvoriconazole.Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate and azathioprine, often used to treat conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and lupus, can also increase photosensitivity.
"Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn, have also been linked toa very lowrisk of a lupus-like skin reaction triggered by sun exposure, and common painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may also increase sun sensitivity."
"Simple precautions can make a significant difference.Stayinghydrated,avoiding the strongest sun during the middle of the day, and using protective clothing and sunscreen can all help reduce risk.
To reduce the risk of medicine-related problems during the summer, people are encouraged to:
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Check the patient information leaflet for advice on sun exposure and hydration.This comes with every medicine and can alsobe accessed online.
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Be aware of signs that the body is struggling in the heat, including dizziness, headaches, unusual fatigue,confusionor reduced urination.Skin that becomes red, sore, blistered or reacts more intensely after sun exposure may also be a sign of increased sensitivity linked to medication.
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Do not stop taking prescribed medicines during hot weather without advice.Anyone who is unsure about how their medication may be affected by heat or sunlight should speak to a pharmacist or GP.
Throughthe"Summer proof your health" campaign, the MHRA is encouraging people to be aware of thepotentialrisks associated with medicines in warmer weather and to take straightforward steps to stay safe throughout the summer.
Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from a medicine is encouraged to talk to their doctor,pharmacistor nurse about it.
People can also report the side effect directly to theMHRA Yellow Card scheme, to help improve the safety of medicines for everyone. You can nowuseNHS loginto create a new Yellow Card account or access an existing one, providing a secure and convenient way to sign in using credentials you may already use across NHS services.
Notes to editors:
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
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For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
