{"id":4952,"date":"2019-07-09T11:02:41","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T15:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=4952"},"modified":"2025-04-29T14:02:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T18:02:42","slug":"medications-sun-sensitivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medications-sun-sensitivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Shedding light on medications that increase sun sensitivity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever slathered on sunscreen before going outside, and still developed a nasty sunburn\u2014even on a relatively cloudy day? It might have been because you took a medication known to increase sun sensitivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that the <\/span>summer months<\/span><\/a> are upon us, it\u2019s inevitable that we\u2019ll be spending more time outdoors. And if you take any sort of medication, it\u2019s imperative that you do your research to ensure you\u2019re not leaving your skin vulnerable to the sun. Photosensitivity is responsible for nearly 20% of adverse drug reactions in older adults.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do medications cause photosensitivity?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Certain prescription medications<\/span><\/a> can make your skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. This chemically-induced change is called photosensitivity. Photosensitivity can result in sunburn, a rash, blisters, and other symptoms caused by an allergic reaction of the skin. There are two types of <\/span>photosensitivity reactions<\/span>, <\/span>photoallergy <\/span>and<\/span> phototoxicity<\/span><\/a>, both of which can happen from exposure to the sun or UV radiation from artificial light.<\/span><\/p>\n

So why do these particular medicines wreak havoc on our skin when it\u2019s exposed to sunlight? \u201cThese medications are photosensitizers,\u201d explains <\/span>Noelani Gonzalez, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. \u201cSo when the sun hits you, and you have either been ingesting or applying these medications, they release free radicals, and they cause an exaggerated sunburn reaction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Of the two types of sun sensitivity, Dr. Gonzalez says the more relevant concern is <\/span>phototoxicity<\/span><\/a>, a condition where the skin becomes sensitive to sunlight after taking certain drugs (either orally or topically). Phototoxicity can occur within hours after sun exposure on the areas of skin that were exposed to UV rays.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Photoallergy<\/span><\/a> occurs when UV rays cause the shape of a molecule to transform into a new substance, resulting in the immune system attacking the foreign presence, and typically develops 24-72 hours after sun exposure. Photoallergic reactions are \u201cfar less common,\u201d says Dr. Gonzalez, mainly because the patient needs to have been previously exposed to the medication in question. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of photosensitivity<\/b><\/h2>\n

Symptoms of chemical photosensitivity<\/span><\/a> vary based on their cause. Photoallergic reactions often result in blisters, redness, a rash, and oozing areas of skin that lasts for up to two weeks. Indicators of a phototoxic reaction can vary from symptoms like skin irritation and pain to localized swelling. But Dr. Gonzalez says the one thing you should watch out for is \u201ca very exaggerated sunburn,\u201d and one that comes on more quickly than a typical sunburn. If you find yourself getting red after a short time in the sun, seek cover. You could end up with additional symptoms such as blisters and itchiness if you stay out in the sun unprotected.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What is a sun allergy?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What medications cause sun sensitivity?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The best place to start is by asking your doctor or pharmacist for information about your medications and sun sensitivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A few of \u201cthe biggest offenders\u201d are certain antibiotics used to treat common ailments like sinus infections and urinary tract infections, according to Erika Prouty, Pharm.D., a pharmacist at Stop and Shop in West Springfield, Massachusetts. <\/span>They include <\/span>Cipro<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Levaquin<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Bactrim<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Cleocin<\/span><\/a>. Other antibiotics, like amoxicillin, have no known effect on sun sensitivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The spectrum of medications that could lead to a burn ranges from over-the-counter drugs like <\/span>Aleve<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Advil<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Motrin<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>NSAIDs<\/span><\/a>, specifically) to antidepressants, diuretics, and diabetes and high blood pressure medicines.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All of the following medications can cause photosensitivity when you\u2019re in the sun, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (<\/span>FDA)<\/span> and <\/span>The Skin Cancer Foundation<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n