As temperatures rise, certain people are at risk for dangerous side effects from certain medications.

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - As temperatures rise, certain people are at risk for dangerous side effects from certain medications. Dr. Nida Feller, an emergency medicine physician at Decatur Memorial Hospital, explains that some common medications can impact your body's heat tolerance. 

"If you're on these medications, you may notice these symptoms and be more susceptible to getting heatstroke or heat intolerance and exhaustion," Feller said. "The heat will impact you more." 

Several categories of medications can cause this reaction with heat. Some of them include blood pressure medication, beta blockers, diuretics, antihistamines (allergy medications), SSRIs (anti-depressants), diabetes medications and others. 

Many of these medications are commonly prescribed. The National Institute of Health found that one in six Americans uses antidepressants. The CDC says one in three Americans uses allergy medications. 

If you use these medications or are concerned about your ability to handle the heat, Feller encourages you to keep an eye on symptoms. 

"Excessive sweating or dry mouth is a common thing with a lot of these medications," Feller said. "Excessive thirst, feeling like their heart's racing, palpitations, feeling fatigued, hot flashes, feeling overheated where they feel like they need to sit down and feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Those are all symptoms of the heat really affecting the body." 

If you are concerned about potential side effects or have questions about your medications, you should contact your doctor. Pharmacists can also provide insight into medication side effects as well. 

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