What Causes Excessive Sweating While Taking Venlafaxine, Gabapentin, Prednisone And OxyContin?

Posted on Mon, 11 Sep 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 Answered on

Wed, 4 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 64 year old female and my body is constantly sweating. It's like a hot flash that never goes away!! I checked the side effects on Venlafaxine 150 mg. and excessive body heat was one. I also take Gabapentin, 600 mg. Prednisone, .05 mg. OxyContin, 30 Oxycodone, 15 mg. Black Cohosh. I think that is it.. I cannot stand this heat any longer. Any clues what it could be? I go to my Psychiatrist at the end of the month but I don't know if I can wait that long. Please tell me you can help!! PS cannot take hormones because I had breast cancer.

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Read down for detailed informatuon please.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Nanny 11,
Thanks for the query. I understand your concern.
The causes of e excessive sweating in female around 60s could be-
-Out of the daily drugs you are taking ... oxycontin &Oxycodine can cause sweating... &itching too.The side effect can be managed by changing the medicines/their dosage .. according to opinion of prescribibg doctor.
You seem to have them for pain management (joint/pinched nerve)& here the balance between the side effect & benifit of medicine needs to be weighed &advise given. Many a times continuation of drugs with changes in life style .. To reduce weight/reduce intake of spiccy food,caffeine ,alcohol,smoking ,drinking lot of water... helps.
-It could be post menopausal.. which can last tull 10 years of menopause .This seems to be less likely.. as it comes in form of waves,do not exist constantly.
-Among most important factirs to exclude as a cause are-Diabetes/Thyroid problem or presence of any infection in body.
*please try to manage the symptoms by life style changes suggested above &aviding it by-
-avoiding exposure to heat/using thick clothes/having frequent cold water bath/use ice cubes .. applying it to face ,hands would releave to some extent.Manage this way till you meet your doctor for further assessment.
*You need an array of invrstigations &expert opinion to confirm the cause followed by specific treatmenrt.
I hope that answers your quwry. Any follow up query is welcime.
Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng