Check for medications linked to sun sensitivity in your first-aid kit: If you experience a rash, examine your medicine supply.

Check for medications linked to sun sensitivity in your first-aid kit: If you experience a rash, examine your medicine supply.

Sunlight Caution: Some Meds Can Burn Your Skin!

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With summer's warm rays upon us, we're basking in the sun and might forget about those strange, unexplained rashes. We attribute it to bug bites or questionable meals, but little do we know that some medicines we consume can make our skin and body sensitive to sunlight. This topic was covered by the chief out-of-hospital therapist of the Russian Ministry of Health, Professor and Russian Academy of Sciences academician, Oksana Drapkina, on her Telegram channel.

Be aware, elder folks are more prone to developing adverse reactions due to the larger amount of medications they take. While not everyone experiences these reactions, it's best to exercise caution.

Phototoxic Reactions: What are they, and what medications cause them?

There are two types of reactions:

1. Phototoxic reaction - when medication molecules absorb light energy and release it back into the skin, causing a photochemical reaction – much like a sunburn. This reaction features redness, swelling, blisters, itching, stinging, tingling, or pain, followed by skin peeling or hyperpigmentation. It mainly affects skin exposed to sunlight.
2. Photallergic reaction - less common than its counterpart. The medication changes under sunlight, causing our immune system to recognize it as a foreign substance, which triggers an allergic reaction (rash or eczema). This reaction can affect both sun-exposed and covered skin areas.

Phototoxicity: Common Culprits

Here is a list of medications that can cause phototoxic reactions:

• Oral Medications:
• Antibiotics (tetracyclines, quinolones, sulfa drugs),
• Antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone, quinidine),
• Calcium channel blockers (prescribed for cardiovascular diseases),
• Hypericin (sedative, antidepressant),
• Diuretics (furosemide, thiazides),
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (piroxicam, naproxen, ketoprofen),
• Phenothiazine neuroleptics,
• Sedative alprazolam,
• Sulfonylurea derivatives,
• Photodynamic therapy drugs (photofrin, foscan),
• Antifungal agents (griseofulvin, itraconazole, voriconazole),
• Furocoumarin drugs (with extracts or tinctures of certain plants),
• Topical Preparations:
• Ketoprofen,
• Dyes (methylene blue, eosin),
• Pine tar and its components,
• Furocoumarin drugs,
• Anesthetic benzocaine,
• Benzoyl peroxide (acne treatment),
• Ingredients of sunscreen products (benzophenones, para-aminobenzoic acid derivatives),
• Components of cosmetic products (aromatic substances, bergamot, lime, sandalwood, lemon, and cedar essential oils), preservatives,
• Some herbs (besides the well-known giant hogweed, phototoxic reactions can be caused by St. John's wort, parsley, celery, parsnip, lime, lemon, fig, and some meadow grasses).

Protect Yourself:

• If possible, consult your doctor to find an appropriate replacement for the mentioned medications to avoid phototoxic reactions. However, never stop taking medication due to sun damage concerns. Instead, follow these guidelines:
• Minimize sun exposure.
• Protect your skin from sunlight with clothing and use high-factor sunscreen (SPF 30 and above).

In case the medication cannot be replaced, avoid excessive sun exposure, protect your skin, and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. Academician Drapkina notes that increased light sensitivity may persist for several weeks or months after stopping the medication.

🌐 Check Your Medicine Cabinet - Full Article

Bonus Information:

Several classes of medications are infamous for causing phototoxic reactions, which can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and lead to various symptoms including exaggerated sunburn and hives after minimal sun exposure. Phototoxicity typically occurs within minutes to hours of sun exposure and is caused by the drug absorbing UV light and releasing reactive molecules that damage skin cells.

• Medication Classes Commonly Associated with Phototoxicity:
• Antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, minocycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim)
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen)
• Antidepressants and Antipsychotics (e.g., amitriptyline, SSRIs, phenothiazines)
• Cardiovascular Medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBs, antiarrhythmics)
• Other Medications (e.g., retinoids, oral contraceptives, diuretics, topical agents such as certain acne medications or skin lighteners)
• Key Considerations:
• Mechanism: Phototoxic reactions usually occur rapidly, within minutes to hours of sun exposure.
• Symptoms: These may include exaggerated sunburn, redness, swelling, itching, blisters, or hives in sun-exposed areas.
• Prevention: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+), wear protective clothing, and avoid sun exposure during peak hours when taking these medications.
• Consultation: Always check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist regarding the risk of photosensitivity with any new medication.
• The topic of medications that can make the skin sensitive to sunlight was discussed by Professor Oksana Drapkina, a Russian Academy of Sciences academician, on her Telegram channel.
• Certain classes of medications, such as antibiotics, NSAIDs, antidepressants, cardiovascular medications, and others, are commonly associated with phototoxicity, which can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and lead to various symptoms.

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