Do Your Medications Put Your Skin at Risk?

Some medicines contain ingredients that may cause photosensitivity — a chemically induced change in the skin.

Two types of photosensitivity— photoallergy and phototoxicity.

Photoallergy: allergic reaction of the skin and may not occur until several days after sun exposure.

Phototoxicity: irritation of the skin and can oocur within a few hours of sun exposure and it is more common.

Both types occur after exposure to UV light — either natural sunlight or artificial light, such as tanning booth.

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The following are examples of medications that cause photosensitivity;

• Antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, trimethoprim

• Antifungals: Flucytosine, griseofulvin, voriconazole

• Antihistamines: Cetirizine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, promethazine, cyproheptadine

• Cholesterol lowering drugs: Simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin

• Diuretics: Thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, chlorthiazide), other diuretics: furosemide and triamterene

• NSAIDS: Ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, piroxicam, ketoprofen

• Oral contraceptives and estrogens

• Phenothiazines: Chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, promethazine, thioridazine, prochlorperazine

• Psoralens: Methoxsalen, trioxsalen

• Retionoids: Acitretin, isotretinoin

• Sulfa: Acetazolamide, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole

• Sulfonylureas for type 2 diabetes: Glipizide, glyburide

• Alpha-hydroxy acids in cosmetics

Source: www.fda.gov