How Common Medications Can Affect Your Workouts, According to Experts

More than half of Americans are taking some kind of prescription drug, and likely more are dipping into over-the-counter drugs here and there. That’s not a bad thing. Many of these meds help us sleep, relax, and recover. But no drug is without its side effects. We spoke to experts about five common medications to learn how they might impact not just your health, but your fitness too.

Beta blockers

Beta-blockers are medications that reduce the effects of adrenaline on the heart and blood vessels, and are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. “We also use them to treat anxiety symptoms (although less so now), arrhythmias, and other heart-related conditions,” explains Dr. Jeff Foster, medical director of Manual, and an expert in exercise physiology and safe use of medications.

Beta blockers work by lowering both your resting and exercise heart rate, which means the heart cannot beat as fast or as forcefully during physical activity. “Clinical studies consistently show that beta blockers reduce maximum aerobic capacity by around 5-15 percent in healthy adults,” adds Pupinder Ghatora, pharmacist and co-founder of collagen supplements brand INGENIOUS.

Because of this, Dr. Foster says that people taking beta-blockers often find that exercise feels harder, their endurance is reduced, and they’re unable to reach the same peak performance or heart-rate targets as before. The gym isn’t a total no-go. Ghatora adds that “Strength training sees little to no impact [on beta blockers] but HIIT and endurance training may feel more strenuous and your usual heart rate targets may become inaccurate.”

Yet, Dr. Foster warns that in extreme cases, you might vomit or even pass out. So it’s very much worth going slowly here and checking in with your body both during and after exercise.

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. It works by blocking enzymes called cyclooxygenases which are responsible for producing prostaglandins—chemical messengers that promote inflammation, pain, and fever. In English, that means it helps you feel less sore.

According to Dr. Foster, it’s an effective treatment for conditions including headache, muscle ache, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and other injuries. But it isn’t all roses. “A lot of people take ibuprofen before or after workouts as it can mask pain and help you train harder, but this can have a detrimental effect,” he warns. “Firstly, if you mask an injury you might make it worse. Secondly, prostaglandins are part of the inflammatory response that helps trigger muscle protein synthesis, tissue repair, and growth.” In other words, inflammation is a normal part of the growth and repair process. Unless you’re in real pain, it might be best not to interfere.

“Regular ibuprofen use, especially in the period before and after exercise, can reduce gains in muscle strength and size, impair satellite‑cell activity (cells involved in muscle regeneration), and slow down recovery,” Foster warns, pointing to a study in the American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism, which found that ibuprofen and acetaminophen (A.K.A. paracetamol) impaired long‑term muscle hypertrophy and strength gains during a 12‑week resistance‑training program.”

If you’re really in pain, go for it. If the problem persists, see your doctor.

Cough and cold medicines

Even the hardiest man has been struck down by a cold—particularly if you’re exercising outside in the wind and rain, or failing to support your sleep and nutrition during flu season.

As far as Ghatora’s concerned, exercise and cold medication doesn’t mix. “You should be resting and letting your body heal and recover if you have cold or flu-like symptoms,” he says. “Exercising when ill does two negative things, it can prolong or worsen your condition and also reduce the effectiveness of your workout.”