MHRA Warns Some Medicines Raise Heatwave Risks as Most Drugs Need Storage Below 25C
Updated
Updated · Which? · Aug 24
MHRA Warns Some Medicines Raise Heatwave Risks as Most Drugs Need Storage Below 25C
2 articles · Updated · Which? · Aug 24
Summary
High temperatures can worsen side effects from some medicines by increasing dehydration, dizziness, fainting and sun sensitivity, while also changing how the body absorbs and clears drugs, GP Azeem Majeed said after an MHRA warning.
Diuretics, some blood-pressure medicines and drugs with anticholinergic properties can leave patients less able to cope with heat; dehydration may also raise acute kidney injury risk for people taking ACE inhibitors.
Most medicines should be kept below 25C—some below 30C—and not left in cars, conservatories or direct sun, because heat can break down active ingredients and alter colour, smell or texture.
Boots recently paused home delivery of weight-loss injections during a heatwave because standard cold-chain packaging could not reliably keep them below 8C once outdoor temperatures topped 30C.
Patients are advised not to stop prescribed medicines on their own, but to check the leaflet or MHRA website and ask a pharmacist or GP about hydration, sun exposure and storage.