Tag: Thermoregulation

As many as 3% of individuals taking higher doses of amlodipine may experience flushing, a temporary feeling of warmth and redness, which is directly linked to the medication's effect on blood vessels. This effect can contribute to a broader sensation of heat intolerance, particularly during warm weather or physical activity.

With more than one in eight American adults taking antidepressants, it's crucial to understand their side effects, including heat sensitivity. Several types of antidepressants can interfere with the body's natural cooling mechanisms, making it harder to regulate temperature and raising the question: **Which antidepressants cause heat intolerance?**.

According to clinical trial data, hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, affects approximately 7% of people taking sertraline (Zoloft), compared to just 3% on a placebo. While a recognized and sometimes temporary side effect, this can manifest as disruptive night sweats for many individuals.

Sweating abnormalities are reported by as many as 64% of people in the later stages of Parkinson's disease [1.4.5]. A key question for many is: **Does carbidopa-levodopa cause sweating?** The answer is complex, involving the medication, the disease itself, and individual responses.

According to a 2022 review, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been shown to affect the body's ability to regulate temperature, leading to heightened sensitivity to heat. This phenomenon raises a common concern for many patients: can antidepressants make you feel hotter?

The classic clinical mnemonic for anticholinergic overdose includes being 'hot as a hare,' a direct result of atropine's key anticholinergic property: the inhibition of sweating. This explains why does atropine cause hyperthermia by impairing the body's natural cooling system, leading to dangerous heat retention.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anticholinergic agents are among several medication classes that increase the risk of heat-related illness during hot weather. Do anticholinergics cause heat intolerance? Yes, they can significantly impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature, leading to a higher risk of overheating and heat-related illness.

Overdoses of serotonin reuptake inhibitors or their use with other drugs may cause hyperthermia, leading to potentially life-threatening complications. This complex, drug-induced condition can result from various medications and requires prompt medical attention to avoid severe outcomes.

Pharmacologically, anticholinergic medications are often used to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) precisely because they inhibit perspiration. This immediately clarifies the common misconception and answers the question: **Does anticholinergic increase sweating?** The reverse is true.

According to a 2024 study in *The Lancet*, drugs with high anticholinergic properties were found to increase core body temperature during heat stress at air temperatures above 30°C. Yes, anticholinergic medications can cause hyperthermia, a dangerous elevation of body temperature that can lead to heatstroke and other serious complications.