Key Summary
- The MHRA has launched its ‘Summer-proof your health’ campaign.
- It raises awareness of how high temperatures and sun exposure can interact with common medicines.
- The MHRA encourages anyone experiencing suspected side effects to report them via the Yellow Card scheme, which now supports NHS login credentials.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched its ‘Summer-proof your health’ campaign to encourage practical steps when using medicines and medical devices during warmer weather.
The watchdog warned that several commonly prescribed and over-the-counter treatments can impair the body's ability to stay hydrated, regulate internal temperature, or protect skin against sun exposure.
Key treatments highlighted by the regulator include:
- Diuretics & Heart Medications: Often prescribed for blood pressure or heart conditions, diuretics increase fluid loss and heighten dehydration risks, while beta blockers can reduce the body's response to heat stress.
- Mental Health Treatments: Certain antidepressants and antipsychotics can affect how the body regulates temperature.
- Photosensitive Medicines: Antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline), acne treatments (isotretinoin, topical retinoids), antifungals (voriconazole), and DMARDs (methotrexate, azathioprine) can cause skin to burn faster or react severely to UV rays.
- Painkillers & Acid Reflux Treatments: Common NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen may increase sun sensitivity, while proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) carry a low risk of triggering sun-induced skin reactions.
Steps to stay safe
To reduce medicine-related health risks during summer, the MHRA recommends that patients:
- Check Patient Information Leaflets: Review the advice on sun exposure and hydration provided in medication packages or online.
- Watch for Warning Signs: Stay alert to symptoms of heat stress - such as dizziness, headaches, confusion, fatigue, or reduced urination - and unusual skin reactions like blistering or severe redness.
- Seek Professional Guidance: Never stop taking prescribed medicines without advice. Patients unsure about their medication should consult a pharmacist or GP.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: “Some commonly used medicines can affect the body’s ability to stay hydrated, regulate temperature, or protect itself from sun exposure.
“Simple precautions can make a significant difference. Staying hydrated, avoiding the strongest sun during the middle of the day, and using protective clothing and sunscreen can all help reduce risk.”
The MHRA encourages anyone experiencing suspected side effects to report them via the Yellow Card scheme. Patients can now sign in using their NHS login credentials for faster and more secure access.
