Medicine not working after the heatwave?

4 replies

Dohnear · 27/07/2022 05:25

I take the antidepressant mirtazipine. The second day of the heatwave I noticed my symptoms started getting worse after being stable for a while. I was hoping it was a blip but it's been awful ever since.

I just thought I was super unlucky and then at some point after the heatwave I took some prescribed diazepam, and that also felt like it didn't do much even though it normally knocks me out completely.

It made me think the heat might have affected my medications? I have no idea how realistic that is. I feel like maybe I should have put them in the fridge or something during the heatwave but didn't think of it at the time.

Has anyone else found this? Will the doctor prescribed a new set if I ask or is this not a thing?

OP posts:

Allelbowsandtoes · 27/07/2022 05:35

It's possible, at my work (I'm a mental health nurse) we have to keep our clinic at under 30 degrees and we've had to dispose of tons of medication before when it's gone over that.
I'd explain to your GP and ask for more.

fiftiesmum · 27/07/2022 08:41

Dont put in the fridge unless the label says so - the fridge may be too damp which can also cause things to "go off"
Could it be you feel worse in the heatwave because of dehydration, change in diet and general uncertainty of the times.
If you are right there are going to be millions of unplanned pregnancies where the pill becomes ineffective.
Clinics (like supermarkets) have to dispose of items where temperatures are out of range because of legal liabilities

NighghtmareNeighbour · 27/07/2022 08:54

It might possibly be an issue, and I’m sure your gp would be happy to discuss providing a new prescription if you feel they are still not fully working for you.

Alternatively, might it just be a coincidence that you are having a bit of a blip and need a medication review, and it just so happened to coincide with the heatwave? We all have a bit of a drive to find a cause for things, but sometimes it is just coincidental.

Original poster

Dohnear · 27/07/2022 09:30

NighghtmareNeighbour · 27/07/2022 08:54

It might possibly be an issue, and I’m sure your gp would be happy to discuss providing a new prescription if you feel they are still not fully working for you.

It might well be this ofc. It was just surprising to me that two meds seem to suddenly not be working. I thought I'd put this post out there to see if others have noticed the same but it is just me it might just be the meds aren't working anymore full stop

OP posts:

Flip