How does heat affect your medication?
updated the Tuesday, July 28, 2015Capsules, syrups, powders or suppositories can cause adverse reactions under the effect of UV or heat. Here’s a short guide to protect yourself.
When the temperature rises, some drugs change in texture, colour or emit an unusual smell. As a result, it should be obvious that you don’t consume the pills. In other cases, the changes are invisible. “From 25 °C, the stability of many drugs cannot be guaranteed. Their active compounds may degrade and lose their therapeutic effects,” says Michael Leroy, a Parisian pharmacist. In the worst case scenario, they even become harmful. If a localized area goes through thermal stress, which only lasts a few hours, it generally has no consequences, but you may risk prolonged overheating. Watch your consumption of the following closely: insulin, thyroid treatments and antibiotics.
Habit to adopt: Scrutinize the product instructions that indicate special precautions for storage. Medications that require refrigeration (2-8 °C) must be transported in a cooler bag. Others require less maintenance. Avoid leaving them in a car in direct sunlight: in the boot, temperatures can exceed 50 °C.
UV Rays as SOURCES OF DRUG ALLERGIES
Drugs can actively spread via blood circulation throughout the body, including the cells of the skin. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the beneficial molecules can morph and instead produce toxic or allergenic substances. Even radiation of the lowest intensity is sufficient for the face and neck to be left scarlet and covered with vesicles. “Repeated exposure may transform the photosensitivity in allergies: for example, an itchy rash all over the body,” says Dr. Marc Perrussel, dermatologist at the Saint-Louis Hospital (Paris). Some anti-depressants, anti-diabetics, anti-hypertensives, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics pose a risk.
Habit to adopt: Check for a sun in a red triangle (the logo for “photosensitizer”) on the packaging of medicines. If this is found, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen with a high SPF (50+). Before leaving on vacation, ask your doctor if he can adjust your treatment: substitution of photosensitizing medication by others that are not, or changing consumption timing (preferably in the evening so that the concentration of active skin is limited to small hours of exposure).
BE CAREFUL WITH COSMETICS
Some perfumes, deodorants, essential oils, cosmetic creams and aftershaves are also photosensitizers. Be sure to read the labels and, where appropriate, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Sylvia Vaisman and Nur Syazana H.
