DPICtions

DRUG & POISON INFORMATION CENTER

Quarterly Newsletter

4 Things Parents Need to Know About Medications and the Summer Heat

Summer calls for us to be outside – spending time away from home and out in the sun. You’ve packed the sunscreen and water, but if your kids take medications, you may need to consider a few more things. The heat can change a medication’s effectiveness, and some drugs can magnify the sun’s effects. Here’s more information about how the sun can impact medication and what you can do about it:

1. HOW TO STORE THEM PROPERLY

Many drugs require storage at a certain temperature. Leaving medications in the summer heat, especially a hot car, can quickly change the recommended safe storage range of medicines. This can affect how some medications work.

If your child’s medicine changes color, taste, smell or melts or crumbles, it may have been compromised by the heat. If this happens, take your medication to your pharmacist to discuss your options. We recommend storing medications in an insulated bag when out and about during hot summer days.

Some examples of medicines affected by extreme heat include:

Insulin
Asthma inhalers
Thyroid medications
Epinephrine

2. THE POTENTIAL FOR PHOTOSENSITIVITY

Some drugs can cause kids’ skin to burn more easily when exposed to the sun. Ultraviolet A rays interact with some medicines to cause a reaction termed photosensitivity, which can occur hours or even days after being in the sun. The best way to avoid a photosensitivity reaction is by minimizing sun exposure and wearing sunscreen.

If your child takes medications in the following classes of drugs, check with the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) to see if your specific medication can cause photosensitivity:

Acne medications
Antibiotics
Antihistamines
Blood pressure medications
Antipsychotics
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Oral contraceptives
Sulfonylureas

3. THE POSSIBILITY OF DEHYDRATION

Some drug classes can cause dehydration, which can be especially worrisome during the summer months when we tend to sweat and lose more water. Drinking plenty of fluids, replacing salt and minerals lost from heavy sweating, applying sunscreen, and wearing light-colored clothing can all help prevent dehydration. Medicines that can cause dehydration include:

Laxatives
Blood pressure medications
Chemotherapy drugs

4. HOW TO AVOID MISSED DOSES

Being away from home can result in missed drug doses, which can be a problem for some medicines. We may forget to pack medications or take them at the appropriate time. There are many ways to help us remember to keep track of them, including:

Travel pill organizers
Set alarms on your phones
Download medication reminder apps

At the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), we get calls every summer involving medication safety. If you have any questions, please contact us at 1-800-222-1222. We are available 24/7/265 to provide confidential, expert advice.

Visit our Blog

Stop by and visit us on Saturday, June 28th at the Hyde Park Blast!

Click here to register and use the code: 25CCPOISONHELPRUN

Summer Picnic Safety Tips

Now that summer has arrived in Cincinnati, one of our favorite family activities is to pack a picnic and take our bikes out to the park. Sunscreen, bug spray and properly packed lunches ensure we have a safe picnic and happy summer memories.

As families make preparations for the weekend and throughout the summer, here are a few tips to prevent some common picnic-related poisonings:

Preparing food

Cross contamination of raw meat is one of the most common food-related illnesses we hear about this time of year. Keep your family safe by following these safety tips:

Wash hands before and after preparing the meal, especially with raw meat.
Keep meat that is marinating in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
Wash cutting boards and knives with hot, soapy water after each use.
When grilling, use different dishes for raw meat and cooked meat.
Cook meat to the recommended temperatures to kill bacteria: beef 160°F, poultry 180°F, pork 160°F.
Cook eggs and shellfish completely.

Packing food

Before you head out the door for a picnic, here are some tips to make sure your food stays safe to eat:

Pack food as your last step before you leave.
Pack refrigerated foods in well-insulated coolers that allow space for ice packs.
Put hot food in an insulated container so it stays hot.
If you’re not eating right away, put your cooler in the shade and cover it with a blanket, rather than leaving it in the car.
Refrigerate any remaining food within two hours.

Sunscreen

Older sunscreens used para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), but newer sunscreens contain a variety of ingredients such as cinnamates, salicylates (aspirin-like compounds), zinc oxide and others. Sunscreens are generally considered somewhat safe if a small quantity is eaten but can cause allergic reactions or skin/eye irritation. Use caution when applying sunscreen to avoid getting it in the eyes or in the mouth, especially with young children.

Insect repellents

Insect repellents contain DEET (N-diethyl-m-toluamide), which is the most effective ingredient to prevent bugs from joining the picnic. However, there are some precautions to keep in mind when using an insect repellent containing DEET:

Be sure to spray it away from the face.
Use caution when spraying it on your children. It should be avoided in infants and can cause seizures in children when used for long periods of time. Use only the lowest concentrations on children (less than 30%), and do not apply continuously.
Use bug repellents outside to avoid inhaling them.
Use just enough to cover the exposed skin — applying more does not make it more effective.
If DEET is ingested, it can cause moderate to severe stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, and in the most severe cases, neurological damage including seizures and coma.

As always, if you have any questions please call the experts at the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) at 1-800-222-1222 for free, confidential advice - 24/7/365.

Visit our Blog

August 31, 2025 is National Overdose Awareness Day!

Planning a safety fair, outreach event, or presentation?

We have stickers, magnets, pamphlets, topic-specific handouts, and other materials available! Infographics included in this newsletter may also be used as handouts!

Contact us if you would be interested in a poison prevention specialist speaker, booth, or presentation for your organization's event.

For questions or emergencies, call: 1-800-222-1222

For outreach materials and requests, please visit: www.ohiopoisoncenters.org or email us at: DPICOutreach@cchmc.org

DRUG AND POISON INFORMATION CENTER

The Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is a 24-hour emergency and information telephone service for anyone with concerns about poison or drugs.

The center’s specially trained staff of medical toxicologists, pharmacists, nurses and poison information providers answer questions about poisonings, drug abuse, product contents, substance identification, interactions and adverse reactions.

The Drug and Poison Information Center also works to provide you with important prevention information, educational materials, first-aid information, common household hazards and references to national helpline organizations and agencies.

The phone number for the Drug and Poison Information Center is 1-800-222-1222.

Editors: Alysha Currie RN, MSN, CSPI, OCPC, ICPS; Sheila Goertemoeller PharmD, DABAT, OCPC, ICPS ; Julia Conroy; Jewel Page; Jonathan Colvin, RN, MS; Shan Yin, MD, MPH

The opinions expressed herein are those of the contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor, publisher or supporting institutions. DPIC is a service of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation. Services are also supported by: the US Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA), the Ohio Department of Health, Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS). Additional support for DPIC services is provided by Cuyahoga Department of Health and Human Services and additional member hospitals.