As the UK endures a heatwave with temperatures approaching 40C, BBC’s Dr Ranj Singh has issued a critical health alert for individuals on specific medications. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Dr Ranj detailed how extreme heat can alter the way the body processes drugs, increasing the risk of serious complications.
The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency have both issued red alert health warnings, underscoring the severity of the heatwave. Dr Ranj emphasized that medications such as diuretics (water tablets), blood pressure drugs including ramipril and losartan, ADHD treatments, insulin for diabetes, doxycycline antibiotics, hormone patches, and EpiPens can all be affected by high temperatures.
“Those on diuretics or blood pressure tablets are particularly vulnerable to dehydration,” Dr Ranj warned. “Ensure you maintain adequate hydration. ADHD and antipsychotic medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature, so extra vigilance is needed. Certain antibiotics like doxycycline increase skin sensitivity to sunlight, raising the risk of severe sunburn.”
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He also cautioned diabetic patients using insulin: heat can increase blood flow to the skin, causing faster insulin absorption and raising the risk of hypoglycemia. Proper storage of temperature-sensitive medicines such as insulin, EpiPens, hormone patches, and some antibiotics is vital, with refrigeration recommended when necessary.
Dr Ranj detailed how heat affects the body’s physiology: as blood vessels dilate to dissipate heat, less blood reaches vital organs like the brain and kidneys. This can cause symptoms such as dizziness, reduced urine output, and suppressed appetite, further increasing dehydration risks.
Additionally, he addressed “prickly heat,” a non-dangerous but irritating skin condition caused by trapped sweat, advising cooling and keeping the skin dry.
While the body’s natural heat regulation systems generally suffice, prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, conditions that require immediate medical attention. Dr Ranj urged anyone feeling unwell during this heatwave to seek prompt medical advice.