Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs

Before using the Far Infrared Sauna (FIRS), please consider any narrow therapeutic index drugs you may be currently taking or have taken in the past.  When the body undergoes a detoxification via FIRS therapy, the body may excrete chemicals that have been stored in the body fat, which can then enter the bloodstream.  When those chemicals get into the bloodstream, they will have some level of therapeutic effect intended by that medication.  In addition, these medications listed may adversely effect FIRS therapy or aggravate the intended action of the pharmaceutical for treating conditions for which it was prescribed.  

Additional medications to consider include: diuretics, barbiturates and beta-blockers that may impair your body's natural heat loss mechanisms.  Anticholinergics may inhibit sweating and predispose you to heat rash and slightly increase the risk of heat stroke.  Some over-the-counter drugs, such as antihistamines, may increase the risk of heat stroke.

Narrow Therapeutic Index drugs:

Aminoglycosides:

Generic: Amikacin, Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Netilmicin, Paromomycin, Streptomycin, Tobramycin

Brand Names: Amikin, Garamycin, G-Mycin, Jenamicin, Kantrex, Mycifradin, Myciguent, Netromycin, Nebcin

Cyclosporin:

Brand Names: Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune® Capsules, Sandimmune® Oral Solution

Carbamazepine:

Brand Names: Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Equetro, Carbatrol, Epitol, Teril

Digoxin:

Brand Names: Lanoxin

Digitoxin: no brand names

Flecainide:

Brand Names: Tambocor

Lithium:

Brand Names: Eskalith, Lithobid

Phenytoin:

Brand Names: Dilantin, Phenytek

Phenobarbital:

Brand Names: Luminal, Solfoton

Rifampicin:

Brand Names: Rifadin,  Rimactane ,  Rifadin IV 

Theophylline:

Brand Names:  Theo-Dur ,  Theo-24 , Quibron-T/SR, Slo-Bid Gyrocaps

Warfarin:

Brand Names: Coumadin, Jantoven