Home Symptoms Heatstroke

Heatstroke — what to take?

Heatstroke is the overheating of the body above 40°C, with thermoregulation dysfunction. Medical emergency. Risk factors: exertion in the heat, young children, the elderly, diuretic/anticholinergic medications.

Also known as: heat shock hyperthermia sunstroke
4 recommended OTC medicines
8,931 pharmacies available

In short: Heatstroke happens when the body overheats above 40°C and can no longer regulate its temperature — a medical emergency, especially in young children, the elderly, or after exertion in the heat. For mild discomfort, pharmacies stock over-the-counter oral rehydration salts, aloe vera gel, panthenol spray and, sometimes, paracetamol. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC options across the major pharmacy chains (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; seek emergency help if you notice a temperature above 40°C, confusion, or fainting.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What can you take for heatstroke?

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, see a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Temperature above 40°C
  • Confusion, loss of consciousness
  • Cessation of sweating in a heat context
  • Seizures
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Children under 2 years old or the elderly with symptoms

Forms

Heat exhaustion — prodrome: headache, nausea, weakness, excessive sweating, rapid pulse, temperature 37-40°C. Reversible with cooling and hydration.

Heatstroke proper (heat stroke) — above 40°C, cessation of sweating, confusion, seizures, coma. EMERGENCY — mortality 20-70% without treatment.

First aid

  1. Move immediately to shade/air conditioning.
  2. Remove unnecessary clothing.
  3. Rapid cooling: wet towels, ice on the neck/armpits/groin area, ventilation.
  4. Hydration with water or electrolytes (only if conscious and tolerating it).
  5. Call 112 in cases of confusion, vomiting, irregular pulse, loss of consciousness.

Symptomatic OTC treatment

Oral rehydration salts for mild exhaustion.

Paracetamol — does NOT lower the fever of heatstroke (it is not an infectious fever). It may be used for persistent headache.

After-sun lotions, aloe vera, panthenol — for associated sunburn.

Antihistamines — for solar urticaria.

Prevention

  • Avoid exertion in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Hat, light, long-sleeved clothing.
  • Hydration of 2-3 L/day in the heat.
  • SPF 30-50 reapplied every 2 hours.
  • Be careful with children, the elderly, the chronically ill.
  • Never leave a child/animal alone in a car in the heat.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for heatstroke

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Night-time, weekends, public holidays

24/7 pharmacies for heatstroke

Heatstroke doesn't keep office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 a.m. or at the weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter switched on and look for the nearest on-duty pharmacy. Large cities have dozens of pharmacies open around the clock — below you have direct access to the list for each city, with address, phone number and verified opening hours.

Call before you set off, especially at night — on-duty rotas change and stock of some prescription medicines can be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for heatstroke

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for heatstroke

Open the interactive map and allow location access — you will immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it is night or the weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-duty ones. For heatstroke many medicines are available over the counter, so you can go straight to the pharmacy without a prescription, but check availability on the price comparator first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active substance (for example paracetamol or ibuprofen), search for it in the comparator before you leave — you will see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it is in stock. If you have a repeat prescription, save your preferred pharmacy as a favourite in the app and turn on opening-hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially if treatment for heatstroke goes on for a while.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Dehydration

Dehydration = a water deficit with a loss of more than 2% of body weight. Causes: exertion + heat, diarrhea, vomiting, decompensated diabetes, diuretics, insufficient intake. Children and the elderly are at higher risk.

 Symptom

Headache

Headache (cephalalgia) is one of the most common symptoms — almost all adults experience it at least once a year. Most episodes resolve with rest and an OTC painkiller, but a few warning signs should send you to a doctor quickly.

 Symptom

Nausea

Nausea is the sensation of impending vomiting. Causes: gastroenteritis, migraine, pregnancy, motion sickness, medications, reflux, anxiety, vestibular disorders.

Frequently asked questions

What else would you like to know?

Exhaustion or heatstroke — what is the difference?
Exhaustion: sweating, <40°C, conscious. Heatstroke: >40°C, confusion, cessation of sweating, possibly coma. Heatstroke is an emergency!
How much should I drink in the heat?
2-3 L/day at rest, 4-5 L/day during exertion. Water + electrolytes during prolonged exertion. Urine should be light in color.
Children — how do I protect them?
Hat mandatory, never alone in a car, frequent hydration, avoid the sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m., SPF 50 reapplied often, light clothing with UPF.
Do medications increase the risk of heatstroke?
Yes — diuretics, anticholinergics, antidepressants, antihistamines, beta-blockers reduce heat tolerance. Be extremely careful.

See also

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