sweating - a side-effect of drugs

Q: Which of the following group of drugs are most likely to cause increase sweating/night sweats? (select one)

A) Antidepressants 

B) Cholinergic agents 

C) Hypoglycemic agents 

D) Estrogen/androgen modulating agents

E) Albuterol / sympathomimetics

Answer: A

Night sweats or increased sweating has usually been attributed either to infections or malignancies. The objective of this question is to highlight the fact that medications are a less known but a potential cause of this symptom. In ICU, it is common to miss patients home medications' list.

Antidepressants are widely used in population and are most common to cause increased sweating which may get more noticed at night by patients. All other choices in above question (B,C, D and E) are also known to cause such symptoms but antidepressants take the lead. Tricyclics, bupropion, venlafaxine, desipramine and duloxetine are well known in this regard.

#pharmacology

References:

1. Cheshire WP, Fealey RD. Drug-induced hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis: incidence, prevention and management. Drug Saf 2008; 31:109.

2. Trindade E, Menon D, Topfer LA, Coloma C. Adverse effects associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: a meta-analysis. CMAJ 1998; 159:1245. 

3. Riediger C, Schuster T, Barlinn K, et al. Adverse Effects of Antidepressants for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Front Neurol 2017; 8:307.