These Medications and Workouts Do Not Mix

1. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are prescribed in treating anxiety and depression.

SSRIs like Zoloft (sertraline) can result in weight gain and make exercising more difficult.

Furthermore, weight loss specialist as well as cardiologist Dr. Luiza Petre, MD, suggests you might be drowsy and reduce your performance when you are hitting the mat.

There is the possibility of having a dry mouth or sweating excessively. Make sure to keep plenty of water on hand and pay attention to the way you feel throughout your exercise.

Despite these difficulties, exercising shouldn't be slack or ignored, particularly as exercise can help improve your mental wellbeing.

Be careful when exercising in the event that you're taking SSRIs

It is recommended to discuss alternatives to treat depression with your physician or lower the SSRI dosage. "Ideally if you could exercise early in the morning and take the medication later, this could minimize this overlap of side effects and exercise stamina," she says.

2. Benzodiazepines

Drugs such as Xanax are prescribed to treat panic and anxiety disorders. Petre suggests that a medicine similar to Xanax can help with the calming effects and reduces brain stimulation.

As a suppressant, the possible adverse effects of benzodiazepines are:

• fatigue
• somnolence (drowsiness)
• muscle relaxation
• lower energy

Be careful when exercising when you're taking benzodiazepines.

The side effects may affect your motivation and ability to exercise; it is advised to exercise prior to taking these drugs because this can reduce the benzodiazepines' effects when you exercise.

3. Stimulants

If you exercise and are taking an anti-stimulant medication, such as Adderall, it is important to be aware of how the adverse effect of this drug could influence your workout--but not always in a good manner.

Because Adderall is part of the category of amphetamine kind of stimulants, Petre claims it has negative effects, such as:

• heart rate increases
• high blood pressure
• anxiety
• agitation
• shaking
• hyperthermia (extreme overheating)
• increased risk of heart attack (but typically, only in cases of underlying heart problems or abuse of the medication)

Be careful when exercising when you're taking stimulants.

Get up early and exercise, then you can take the medication. It is also advised to monitor your tolerance to exercise and then discuss the issue with your doctor to determine if the dosage is effective or whether you should lower it.

4. Sleeping pills

Prescription sleeping tablets are one of the most popular sleep aids that adults use to treat sleep disorders like insomnia.

The less beneficial, sleepy side effects may carry on throughout the day, making your workouts in the morning or during the day seem dragged and slow-paced.

Make sure you exercise safely, even if you're taking sleeping tablets.

It is possible to alter your workout routine. The sleeping pills carry the danger of becoming uncoordinated while exercising. So, if you have to take a sleeping pill, you should schedule your workout later after the effects of the medication have waned.