An emergency medical care expert has warned about kitchens and bathrooms
People are being warned not to keep some medications in their kitchen or bathroom as the hot weather continues. As temperatures rise across the UK, St John Ambulance has warned that weather can their medication.
Anthony Freestone, Associate Clinical Director and Advanced Clinician in Emergency Care at St John Ambulance, told Saga Health Insurance some medicines can affect the body’s ability to cope with heat, while high temperatures and humidity can affect the medication itself.
Anthony said: “As the UK faces another spell of extreme heat, it’s not just sunburn and dehydration we need to think about. Some medications can affect how your body responds to hot weather and sun exposure, and in a few cases, the heat can affect the medication itself.
“While some medicines can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, others may affect how your body regulates temperature, sweats, stays hydrated, or controls blood flow. This can make it harder to cope with hot weather and may increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or, in severe cases, heatstroke.”
Common places people shouldn’t store medication during a heatwave
Commonly prescribed anti-seizure medications, including carbamazepine, sodium valproate, phenytoin and lorazepam, can be physically affected by high temperatures and humidity, particularly if stored in warm locations.*
The locations to avoid include:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Cars
Anthony said: “It’s important to be clear: heat doesn’t directly trigger seizures in most people. The more likely route is indirect: dehydration, disrupted sleep from hot nights, and heat-affected medication can all lower seizure threshold in people who are already prone to them.”
Separate research found that six in 10 of people with uncontrolled seizures noticed an increase in seizure activity during unusually hot weather, according to a 2023 Epilepsy Society survey.
People taking heart and blood pressure medication urged to stay hydrated
While evidence directly linking heat, medication, and stroke risk remains limited, Anthony says hydration is particularly important for those taking cardiovascular medications:
Anthony said: “A direct link between heat, medication and stroke risk is less well established in the UK evidence base, though dehydration is a recognised general risk factor for clot-related illness, and anyone on blood pressure or heart medication should take extra care to stay cool and hydrated.”
Anthony explains the importance of asking about medication when someone becomes unwell during hot weather.
First aiders may use the “SAMPLE” history during a secondary assessment, which includes gathering information about:
- S – Signs and symptoms
What can you see, and what is the person telling you they feel?
- A – Allergies
Does the person have any known allergies?
- M – Medication
What medication do they take regularly, and have they taken it as normal today? This is especially relevant in hot weather, where missed medication, medication degraded by heat, or medication side effects could all be contributing factors.
- P – Past medical history
Are there existing conditions, such as epilepsy, diabetes, or heart disease, that could explain what has happened?
- L – Last meal/fluid intake
When did they last eat or drink, and how hydrated have they been?
- E – Events leading up
What was the person doing beforehand – were they out in direct sun, exercising, or somewhere hot and poorly ventilated?
Medication is a particularly important factor because missed doses, medication side effects, or medicines affected by heat could all contribute to a person’s condition.
Anthony said: “Asking about medication as part of a secondary survey can help identify quickly whether heat-related medication issues, a missed dose, or an existing condition such as epilepsy or diabetes may be playing a part, helping first aiders give better information to ambulance/emergency crews and ensuring the right care reaches the person as quickly as possible.”
Staying safe in hot weather
Anthony’s top advice for people taking regular medication includes:
- Check whether hot weather or sun exposure could affect you
- Continue taking your medication as prescribed unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional
- Stay hydrated
- Keep out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day where possible
- Seek shade
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Store medication somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight
If you have any concerns about your medication or how it may affect you in the heat, speak to your pharmacist, GP, or other healthcare professional for advice.