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Exercising while taking these meds is still possible, but special attention must be given to pre-workout nutrition, and the regular monitoring of glucose levels while working out. Consult with your doctor.
Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are commonly used to manage symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These drugs however affect temperature regulation, which can lead to dehydration.
Some diabetes meds, including insulin, plus low glucose levels, increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Working out on its own already lowers blood glucose, so mixing the two may be dangerous if not done correctly.
ADHD drugs can also lead to increased blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat, as well as cause tremors and agitation. All these side effects may be exacerbated by exercise.
These meds are used to ease nasal congestion. Drugs such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and oxymetazoline (Afrin) can however raise blood pressure and heart rate.
Used to treat constipation, laxatives also have a number of undesirable side effects, including dehydration, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. All of which will have an impact on your capacity to work out.
In addition, these medications can make it harder for your body to regulate heat and stay cool. Exercising with a higher blood pressure and heart rate is not advised. In fact, if someone has an underlying heart problem, it can even trigger a cardiac event.
While some antibiotics are fine to take, antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin might not be advisable. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics may cause tendinitis and have a detrimental effect on tendon health.
When taken for a long period of time, corticosteroids such as prednisone may lead to muscle weakness. This can impact the ability to exercise and recover from workouts.
Another possible side effect is hypokalemia (low potassium levels). This can lead to muscle cramps and therefore have a direct impact on your ability to work out.
Diuretics, also known as water pills, help rid the body of excess salt and water. They are sometimes prescribed to people with heart conditions, edema (fluid buildup), or high blood pressure. They too have side effects that can affect your ability to exercise, including dizziness, dehydration, and hypotension.
Those with diabetes mellitus, a history of musculoskeletal disorders, or take corticosteroids with fluoroquinolone antibiotics, are at higher risk of developing tendon issues, including ruptures.
These meds are taken to treat acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Because they affect calcium and magnesium absorption, if taken for long periods of time PPIs can cause calcium loss in bones.
Many NSAIDs can be purchased over-the-counter (e.g. ibuprofen) so people use them to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Long-term use however, can lead to a number of health issues.
One of these disorders is gastrointestinal bleeding, which in turn may lead to anemia, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. All of which have an impact on exercise. NSAIDs also mask pain, which may not be what you want while working out, as pain is a signal our bodies emit to warn us something is not right.
Those taking beta-blockers in particular, may also find it harder to regulate body temperature. It must be said however that exercise, in general, will increase one's blood pressure (even in people taking meds). But in the long term, beta-blockers actually help maintain healthy levels of blood pressure.
Benzodiazepines are mostly used to manage anxiety, and as sleeping aids. As such, they act as central nervous system depressants, and the side effects can impact your ability to exercise.
In addition, some antihistamines may cause dry mouth, and make you feel tired. Lightheadedness may also occur. These meds also relax the blood vessels, which may potentially increase the risk of fainting.
Antihistamines are used to manage symptoms of allergies. Many people use them seasonally for hay fever, for example. While not all antihistamines will have the same side effects, some do have sedating properties, making you feel drowsy.
Statins are a class of drugs used to treat high cholesterol. Some popular ones include simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and fluvastatin (Lescol).
Benzodiazepines may cause drowsiness, weakness, and fatigue. This consequently leads to low energy levels in general, as well as poor coordination, affecting performance.
Statins may do a great job in controlling cholesterol levels, but their side effects may have an impact on your workout. These include muscle pain, soreness, cramping, and fatigue.
A decrease in alertness levels may be dangerous as it may promote the risk of injury. You may be able to control this by timing the medication so that it won't affect your workout as much (e.g. taking it at bedtime), but this needs to be discussed with your doctor. In the long run, antidepressants can help treat symptoms of depression, and therefore may help you feel more motivated to exercise in the future.
Taking antidepressants in general is safe while working out. But one specific type, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may cause drowsiness and fatigue, making exercising a bit more challenging.
Plus, experiencing gastrointestinal issues while working out is no fun.
Sources: (Health Digest) (BuzzRx)(NHS) (Mayo Clinic) (UCI Health) (Harvard Medical School) (Healthline) (Cleveland Clinic)
As a result, resistance training may be particularly challenging when taking these meds. Light to moderate exercise can, however, be beneficial in keeping cholesterol levels in check.
Blood pressure medications such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors may affect your workout. Blood pressure may drop if you stop exercising abruptly. This post-exercise hypotension may cause you to faint as a result, so cooling down gradually is important if you're taking these meds.
Muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine and tizanidine are often prescribed to treat muscle spasms. These have a number of side effects, including increased risk of dehydration, dry mouth, blurred vision, and drowsiness. Not to mention, of course, relaxed muscles.
In addition to benzos, more specific sleeping pills used to treat insomnia (e.g. Zolpidem and Eszopiclone) can make you feel drowsy and groggy, even in the following morning. This, of course, will have an impact on your ability to exercise safely.
Low calcium levels in the bones means weak bones. And weak bones can expose you to a higher risk of fractures when exercising.
Before you plan a workout regime, it's perhaps a good idea to discuss the proposal with your physician. This is especially true if you're taking any medication, as this can have an impact not only on your ability to exercise, but your risk of getting hurt. Concerned?
Click through the gallery to find out which medications can dangerously interfere with your workout.
Beware of exercise if you take these medications
These meds may interfere with your workout
HEALTH Health and fitness
Many of us regularly take medicines, and indeed these drugs can make our lives better and help us manage a number of medical conditions. Exercising is also key to a healthy lifestyle, so naturally we all ought to include an exercise regime in our daily lives. But can we medicate and exercise safely?
Before you plan a workout regime, it's perhaps a good idea to discuss the proposal with your physician. This is especially true if you're taking any medication, as this can have an impact not only on your ability to exercise, but your risk of getting hurt. Concerned?
Click through the gallery to find out which medications can dangerously interfere with your workout.