Which medication is commonly heat-sensitizing?

• A. Sudafed
• B. Tylenol
• C. Aspirin
• D. Ibuprofen

Answer: (A)

Medications that stimulate the nervous system can alter how the body handles heat. Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine, a sympathomimetic decongestant that increases metabolic rate and causes vasoconstriction in the skin. This combination can reduce heat loss (less sweating and less skin blood flow) and raise core temperature, making a person more susceptible to heat stress in hot conditions — hence it’s considered heat-sensitizing.

The other options are fever reducers or anti-inflammatories (acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen). They help lower body temperature or inflammation and do not increase heat production or impair cooling in the way stimulants can, so they don’t sensitize you to heat.