For people who take antidepressants, the heat can be even worse than usual. At temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius, which these days are more and more often recorded in the northern hemisphere, the effect of drugs can be an additional burden on the body.
"Some antidepressants can affect the way the body regulates temperature and sweating, meaning some people are more susceptible to feeling unwell in hot weather," says Victoria Corcio Brown of the British Association of General Practitioners. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue and dehydration.
I myself am one of those who feel it as soon as the thermometer approaches the 30 degree mark. The heat problems have intensified since I started taking anti-depressants a little over two years ago. Sertraline and amitriptyline help me well with chronic pain, but at the same time they make me not enjoy the summer anymore.
A picnic with friends in the park? Thanks for the invite, but I can't - anything that involves more than lying on the couch in a darkened apartment with a fan blowing in my face makes me dizzy. Even at 25 degrees, I often arrive at work completely drenched in sweat. Headaches and constant exhaustion are as much a part of summer for me as tanned skin and cocktails in the sun are for others.
Where does the increased sensitivity to heat in antidepressants come from?
"Man maintains his internal body temperature by means of a complex system of physiological mechanisms, which together compensate for changes caused by metabolism, physical exertion and environmental influences," explains Michael Paulsen. "Disruption of that thermoregulatory process can be caused by heat stress, heat, or certain medications."
These drugs include antidepressants, for example selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline, as well as tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline. They affect the hypothalamus - the part of the brain that, among other things, regulates body temperature.
The consequence may be that the body no longer manages to regulate temperature effectively. This can lead to muscle cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Antidepressants can also reduce thirst, although the body still needs plenty of fluids. In addition, the skin can become more sensitive to sun damage.
"Some of these drugs make it harder for the body to stay cool and hydrated, so it's important to drink plenty of water and avoid heat," says Daniel Harwood of the British Psychiatric Association. "Especially dehydration can be a problem, because then the body can react more strongly to the effects of certain drugs."
Does sertraline make me sweat more?
"I'm sweating like a domestic animal without any shade," one user wrote in a Reddit comment about sertraline and the heat.
"Hot flashes are horrible anyway, but since I started taking sertraline this year, it's gotten a lot worse," wrote another user. "I feel like I'm melting, no matter what I wear or what I do."
One post from June 2026 reads: "I'm DAMN hot all the time. Ever since I've been on Zoloft, it's totally incapacitating me."
There are clear medical explanations for these phenomena. "Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline can reduce sweating, making it harder for the body to cool itself through evaporation," says Paulzen. "On the other hand, other antidepressants can increase sweating by increasing sympathetic activity, the activating part of the autonomic nervous system." Sertraline, judging by the experiences of users, is particularly known for causing profuse sweating.
Antidepressants should never be stopped on your own, even during hot weather
Excessive sweating, frequent rashes ("heat rash") and crippling exhaustion - I can't wait for summer to pass. But, due to climate change caused by human activity, it will be warmer more often in the future. Europe is the fastest warming continent. So how can people who are addicted to antidepressants protect themselves?
The most important rule: never stop the therapy on your own, nor change the dose without consulting a doctor. "Suddenly stopping antidepressants can cause withdrawal symptoms and negatively affect physical and mental health," Corciu Brown says. "We recommend the same as we normally advise during extreme heat: drink plenty of fluids and avoid direct sunlight."
Paulcen adds that by following those precautions, therapy can usually be continued without increased side effects. However, if serious physical complaints or new, unknown psychological symptoms occur, it is necessary to seek medical or psychotherapeutic help.
Luckily for me, it's not that serious yet. That's why I continue to sweat and look forward to autumn.
Real journalism costs money, and we will not be bought by tycoons and corporations. Support us with a one-time or monthly donation. The time for it is now!
