Taking medicines and sun exposure

Photosensitivity, or drug-induced skin sensitivity to the effects of sunlight, may occur when taking certain medicines and being exposed to sunlight or intense light at the same time or even afterwards. No skin changes occur immediately after taking the medicine. Skin reactions develop only after direct exposure to sunlight, potentially even some time after taking the medicine. These reactions may appear as mild to severe itchy rashes, affecting varying areas of the body or the entire body. They may develop into blisters and/or thickened skin patches that subsequently begin to peel.

If you notice any of the symptoms described above, you should immediately protect yourself from direct sunlight or move to a cool, shaded place. Consult your pharmacist or doctor about continuing your treatment.

The table below lists some of the most commonly used medicines that may cause photosensitivity:

Photodermatoses may also occur when sunbathing while consuming large quantities of herbal preparations containing St John’s wort (DEPRIM), parsley, celery, fennel, etc. They may also be triggered by soaps, perfumes, coal tar in shampoos or ointments, and other products.

Visit Obalne lekarne Koper and consult your pharmacist to find out whether you should avoid sun exposure based on the medicines you are taking!

Sources:

1. MSD Manual of Health. Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga, 2000.
2. USP – Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 18th ed. Rockville: USP Convention, Inc., 1998.
3. Information leaflets for individual medicines.

Prepared by: Katja Gombač, MSc in Pharmacy.