5+ Medications That Make Exercise Riskier

August 4, 2024

by Cathe Friedrich

Working out is good for you. That’s one reason to make it part of your daily routine, right? But you should be aware that certain medications can make a workout riskier. If you take prescription drugs and work out, you need to understand how these meds affect your sweat sessions. Let’s look at some types of medications that can change your workouts and deserve respect if you lead an active lifestyle.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Healthcare providers prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for conditions such as depression and anxiety. They also sometimes prescribe them “off-label” to treat other conditions, like fibromyalgia. Although these medications can improve mood for some people, they can leave you with side effects that impact your workouts. If your doctor prescribed an SSRI for you, it could change your workouts and how you respond to them in several ways:

Increased risk of dehydration due to changes in sweating
Drowsiness affecting coordination and balance.
A negative impact on stamina and endurance

To make your workouts safer on SSRIs, you can counter these effects with a few adjustments. For one, shift your workout to early in the morning before you take your medication. This should lower your risk of side effects because your blood levels of the medication are lowest at this time. Be sure your healthcare approves of this change though. Always stay well-hydrated and be mindful of how you feel during exercise.

Another frustrating aspect of SSRIs is they may cause weight gain. If you’re gaining weight or eating more, let your healthcare provider know. They may be able to switch you to another SSRI that’s less likely to cause you to gain weight.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that doctors prescribe for anxiety, panic attacks, or insomnia. However, doctors are prescribing them less these days because of research suggesting they may be harmful to brain health.

According to some studies, using benzodiazepines long term may cause changes to brain structure and loss of brain volume, although there isn’t a clearcut link with dementia. At this point, the evidence is inconclusive, but it raises concerns for people who use them for long periods. They can also have a negative impact on your workout including:

Fatigue and drowsiness
Muscle relaxation
Lower energy levels

If you’re having drowsiness, for example, you may be placing yourself at higher risk of injury. To mitigate the risk, exercise before taking the medication to minimize its impact on your workout. Always be aware of how you’re feeling and stop if you feel uncoordinated or drowsy.

Stimulants for ADHD

One treatment that healthcare providers prescribe for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is stimulants, like Adderall. What you may not realize is these medications can change how your body responds to workouts. They can also lead to dangerous side effects during physical activity, including:

Increased heart rate
Elevated blood pressure
Anxiety and agitation
Risk of hyperthermia (extreme overheating)
Higher risk of heart attack, especially in those with underlying cardiac issues

If you take stimulants, talk to your doctor before exercising. As with anti-depressants, you can lower your risk of side effects by exercising before taking a stimulant. For example, work out in the morning and take your medication once your workout is over. Monitor your exercise tolerance closely and discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider.

Medications for Diabetes

If you have diabetes and take medications or insulin to control your blood sugar level, take extra precautions. When you take medications that increase insulin sensitivity, they can lower your blood glucose level. So, monitor your blood glucose before beginning a workout and check it again once you’ve finished. Since exercise increases the rate at which muscles take up glucose, you’re at higher risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar during and after a workout.

If you take insulin, always keep a high-carbohydrate, quick-acting snack close by to reverse a sudden decline in blood glucose. High-intensity workouts increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) even more. And don’t forget to wear a medication I.D. tag or bracelet for peace of mind. As always stay hydrated and eat an appropriate snack before a workout.

Beta Blockers

If you have high blood pressure or certain heart conditions, your healthcare provider may prescribe a beta-blocker for you. One of the effects this class of medications has is that it slows your heart rate both at rest and when you exercise. This can impact exercise in several ways:

A reduction in your maximum heart rate during a workout.
Difficulty reaching target heart rates during aerobic exercise.
Fatigue and lack of stamina

Beta blockers affect everyone differently, so work closely with your healthcare provider. Some strategies for safe exercise while on beta blockers:

Don’t use your heart rate during exercise as a measure of exercise intensity. Instead, use a perceived exertion scale. For example, the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale rates exertion from 6 to 20 based on your perception of how hard you’re working.
Talk to your doctor about what your target heart rate should be during a workout.
Monitor your breathing rate as another way to estimate the intensity of your workouts.

Here’s the good news. Even though beta blockers affect your heart rate when you work out, you still get the cardiovascular benefits of exercise.

Other Medications to Be Aware Of

While this isn’t a complete list, other medications that can potentially make exercise riskier include:

Diuretics: Can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
Statins: May cause muscle pain or weakness, affecting exercise capacity
Antihistamines: Can cause drowsiness and impair coordination
Opioid pain medications: May mask pain signals and lead to overexertion

If you work out while taking any medications, follow these guidelines:

Talk about your exercise plans with your doctor.
Modify your workouts and give your body time to adjust to new medications.
Listen to your body and stop if you experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Report these symptoms to your doctor right away. Keep a fitness journal.
Stay hydrated, as some medications can affect your fluid balance.
Talk to your doctor about when to take your medications to minimize side effects.
Take your exercise environment into account. Some medications can affect temperature regulation, so be cautious in hot or humid exercise locations.

Conclusion

If you’re taking medications, keep your doctor in the loop and follow their guidelines. Listen to your body and tweak your approach, so you can get the most benefits from your workouts while avoiding any handicaps these medications impose. As always, the goal is to find a balance that allows you to stay active while keeping you safe when you work out.

References:

MDLinx. “Common Drugs That May Make Exercise Dangerous | MDLinx,” 2023. https://www.mdlinx.com/article/common-drugs-that-may-make-exercise-dangerous/5GgPmrOXes3prcIp3fDISF.

“8 Medications That Can Interfere with Your Workout – GoodRx.” 06 Feb. 2023, https://www.goodrx.com/drugs/side-effects/medications-interfere-with-workout-exercise.
“Statins and Other Common Meds Can Negatively Affect Your Workout.” 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.healthline.com/health-news/statins-and-other-common-meds-can-negatively-affect-your-workout.
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