LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Tuesday, Arkansas had its hottest day of the year, reaching 102 degrees. In this extreme heat, it's important to remember that some people might be more sensitive than others and might not even know it.
Anne Pace with Kavanaugh Pharmacy said that people taking certain medications may need to be extra careful this time of year as they "can make you more sensitive and less tolerant of the heat." Pace also said it can make people sunburn more quickly.
Blood pressure pills, beta-blockers, antidepressants and even some over-the-counter pain relievers can cause issues in the heat.
Pace added that some medicines may impact you in the heat differently, such as sweating more or less or other side effects.
"They can just be dangerous because some medications called tricyclic antidepressants, or TCA's, they can have you sweat less, and so that can certainly be problematic because you can get overheated," Pace said.
Meanwhile, other medications, like certain antibiotics, may also require more sun protection.
"That's definitely something to think about," Pace said. "As people are outside at the lake... if you normally burn in 30 minutes, 45 minutes, you may burn in five or 10 minutes if you're on a specific medication."
However, there are still ways those taking medication with heat sensitivity side effects can stay safe.
"When you are outside, make sure you're wearing sunscreen [and] drink plenty of water," Pace said. "If you're exercising outside, make sure you're using electrolyte solutions to rehydrate because all of those things can be very problematic, and depending on your medications, it may make it worse."
Medication information could be on the label, and any questions can be directed to your doctor or pharmacist.