During a heat wave, in addition to looking for cool areas, you should also think about taking a look at your first aid kit. Medications and their effects can actually change in these high temperatures. The first advice to give is to read the instructions carefully to check the recommended temperatures for storing them. Europe 1 takes stock.
Returning medications that cannot be used in pharmacies
If your ointments, suppositories or ovules change shape or melt, then you should take them to the pharmacy and do not throw them in the trash. Some drugs, including those against blood pressure, cholesterol, anti-inflammatories may be less well tolerated with heat, as explained by Philippe Besset, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France.
“For people who have long-term treatments, who have pathologies, we can take the example of blood pressure medication, such as Furosemide. It is a diuretic, that is to say that it allows to eliminate water”, he explains on Europe 1, “so obviously, in hot weather, when you become dehydrated, you do not necessarily need to eliminate even more water.”
Beware of certain antibiotics
You also have to be careful if you are on holiday in the sun. Certain creams, such as anti-allergic or anti-acne ointments, as well as antidepressants are not recommended. “There are antibiotics which are photosensitizing”, informs Philippe Besset. “They can cause much stronger sunburn. So your pharmacist will of course tell you that,” he points out.
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The president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France also recalls that in the event of a heat stroke, paracetamol is useless. You have to stay cool, hydrate regularly, and if in doubt turn to your pharmacist.