Could your medicines make you more sensitive to the sun
By Tucson Medical Center
·
07/11/2023
Might your meds be causing you to burn?
Before you step out in the sun, have you checked whether your medicines might increase your photosensitivity to sun?
Some medicines can cause photosensitivity -- a chemically induced change in the skin that makes a person sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitivity can cause sunburn-like symptoms, a rash or other unwanted side effects. This sensitivity can happen whether the medicine is applied to the skin like retinol, or taken by mouth or injected.
Types of Photosensitivity
There are two types of photosensitivity – photoallergy and phototoxicity.
- Photoallergy is an allergic reaction of the skin and may not occur until several days after sun exposure.
- Phototoxicity is more common. The skin can become irritated within a few hours of sun exposure.
Both types of photosensitivity occur after exposure to ultraviolet light – either natural sunlight or artificial light, such as a tanning booth.
What meds should you be aware of?
- Antiarrhythmics
- amiodarone
- Antibiotics
- Antifungals
- Antihistamines
- Cholesterol lowering drugs
- Diuretics
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Oral contraceptives and estrogens
- Phenothiazines
- Psoralens
- Retinoids
- Sulfonamides
- Sulfonylureas for Type 2 diabetes
- Alpha-hydroxy acids in cosmetics
You may be thinking, well I have taken ibuprofen and never had an issue! Photosensitivity is dependent on the drug, the person and sometimes even the time! You may experience a reaction on one occasion, but not the next time you take that medicine or use the product again. The safe option is to protect your skin from the sun all the time.
Reduce your risk:
In southern climes like Tucson, stay in the shade if outside, especially during the height of the sun between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m..
Be particularly careful when playing by the water or snow. The sun’s rays may be stronger when reflected off water and snow, but the cooling effect of the water or snow might trick you into thinking the sun isn’t as strong. Still use sunscreen!
Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats to limit sun exposure.
Use a broad sunscreen, that provides protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. An SPF 15 is the minimum number needed to provide measurable protection; however, a sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or higher is recommended. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you’re getting wet or sweating a lot. Rarely, some sunscreen ingredients can cause photosensitivity themselves.
If you have questions about your medications and the possibility of photosensitivity, talk to your health care professional or your pharmacist.
