Your Risk of Getting Sunburned Is Higher if You're Taking One of These Common Medications

Antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and medications to treat acne can all greatly increase your sensitivity to the sun and its harmful UV rays. Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images Common medications can make you more prone to sunburn. These include antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and medication to treat acne. Protecting your skin from the sun is especially important while taking these medications. The summer months call for more time in the sun and while most people know that a lack ofsunscreen and improper clothing can expose you to the dangers of UV rays, you may not be aware that common medications can also put you at an increased risk forphotosensitivity or sun sensitivity. ӄrug-induced photosensitivity occurs when chemicals or drugs ingested orally or applied topically result in a photosensitive reaction (sunburn) from exposure to UV radiation from sunlight or a tanning bed,ԠHaVy Ngo-Hamilton, PharmD, clinical consultant at BuzzRx, told Healthline. The term sun sensitivity may be mistaken for being overheated easily or for the eyes becoming more sensitive to sunlight, she added. However, sun sensitivity strictly refers to the overreaction of the skin with sun exposure. ӛCertain] medications make a person more sensitive to the sun, causing their skin to overreact to sunlight. Moreover, sun sensitivity can lead tosevere sunburn even with brief exposure to sunlight,Ԡsaid Hamilton. Types of sun sensitivity reactions Medications that cause sun sensitivity can cause the following three types of reactions. Phototoxic reaction Drug-induced phototoxicity refers to the development of rashes as a result of the combined effects of a chemical substance and ultraviolet radiation or visible radiation, explainedDr. Adam Friedman, professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine. Ӆxposure to either the chemical or the light alone is not sufficient to induce the disease; however, when photoactivation of the chemical (chromophore; a radiation absorbing substance) occurs, the abnormal reaction may arise,Ԡhe said. The reaction appears as severe sunburn and occurs within a short time frame, typically within minutes to hours after sun exposure, and only happens to the areas of skin exposed to the sun, Ngo-Hamilton said. Ӕhe only difference between sunburn and phototoxicity is that the latter is induced by oral drugs or topical agents, including certain ingredients of skin care products, while sunburn is just skin tissue being damaged from prolonged exposure to UV rays,Ԡshe said. This type of reaction can occur within minutes to hours after exposure to the triggering substance and sunlight, she noted. Photoallergic drug reaction In sensitized individuals, they could develop a photoallergic drug reaction, which occurs when sunlight causes a structural change in the substance, leading to the body producing antibodies. Ӑhotoallergic reactions can occur both from ingesting medications as well as could occur if the allergen comes into contact with skin and is then irradiated with ultraviolet radiation,Ԡsaid Friedman. The reaction typically develops 24 to 72 hours after exposure to the medication and sunlight, and is often itchy and looks like a poison ivy-type reaction oreczema. The process is similar to having a cut or an open wound on the body, in which white blood cells move to the site of өnjuryԠand release immune mediators נthe bodyҳ natural chemical agents that play an active role during an immune response, said Ngo-Hamilton. Ӕhe rash can also spread to body parts that were not exposed to the sun. In some cases, photoallergic contact dermatitis remains persistent even after the trigger is discontinued and may become a chronic condition,Ԡshe said. Skin alteration Some medications can alter the skin and make it more susceptible to UV radiation, said Friedman. Ӽa href="/health/beauty-skin-care/retinol-vs-retinoid"Retinoids are a great example of this, as they thin the very top layer of the skin called the stratum corneum, which possess mild sun protective factors,Ԡhe said. Medications that cause skin sensitivity Both oral and topical medications can interact with UV rays from sunlight or tanning beds. Ngo-Hamilton said chemical reaction occurs because medications are made up of different chemical bonds and rings. Ӑhotosensitizing medications have a unique chemical make-up that becomes destabilized or altered when they come in contact with the absorbed UV rays. Skin reactions occur as a result of this interaction, leading to phototoxicity or photoallergy,Ԡshe said. Below are medications to keep on your radar as you take in some sunshine. Antibiotics including tetracyclines such asdoxycycline; sulfonamides such as Bactrim (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole), fluoroquinolones such asCipro (ciprofloxacin), and Levaquin (levofloxacin) used to treat a variety of bacterial infections such as ear infections, UTIs, andpneumonia.༯p Ӕetracyclines are definitely the most notable [to cause photosensitivity] in the dermatology world,Ԡsaid Friedman. Oral contraceptives include estrogen and progestin-containing products such as Microgestin, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Sprintec, and Tri Femynor. Friedman said these medications can cause sun sensitivity but not as prevalent as with antibiotics. Vitamin A derivatives for the treatment of acne, such asAccutane (isotretinoin) andRetin-A(tretinoin). In addition to the chemical reaction that occurs on the skinҳ surface, Ngo-Hamilton said vitamin A derivatives like tretinoin stimulate skin cell turnover and promote new skin cells to grow. Ӕherefore, by removing or thinning the protective barrier of the skin, it becomes more prone to sunburn. Along with acne medications like Retin-A and Accutane, skincare products with anti-aging or brightening effects can also cause the skin to be more sensitive to the sun,Ԡshe said. Other medications that can cause sun sensitivity The following medications can also cause sun sensitivity: NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib), and piroxicam (Feldene) Methotrexate used for the treatment of cancers and autoimmune disorders such aslupus, psoriasis, andrheumatoid arthritis Cardiovascular drugs such asamiodarone, nifedipine, quinidine, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, ramipril, disopyramide, hydralazine, clofibrate, and simvastatin Thiazide diuretics such ashydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), furosemide (frusemide), chlorothiazide, bendroflumethiazide, benzthiazide, and cyclothiazide Tricyclic antidepressants such asamitriptyline anddesipramine Diabetes medication such asglyburide andglipizide Chemotherapy such as fluorouracil, vinblastine dacarbazine, procarbazine,methotrexate How to protect yourself from the sun while taking medications Protecting your body from the sun is always important, especially while taking medications that make you more prone to skin sensitivity. To keep your skin safe, consider the following: Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum (UVA + UVB) Apply appropriate sunscreen to exposed areas every day and reapply if outdoors for longer than 2 hours. ӄonҴ forget the eyelids and lips which are more sensitive and often ignored when applying sunscreen,Ԡsaid Friedman. Use physical protection like hats, sunglasses, and clothing when possible Take extra precautions by keeping spare clothes in your car or at work for impromptu time spent outdoors. Ӊt might be worth investing in clothing with UPF fabric,Ԡsaid Ngo-Hamilton. Seek out shade, especially between 10 am and 4 pm Although a rash caused by photosensitivity is not life-threatening, it can be painful and affect daily activities or quality of life. Ӕo help reduce your risk of sun sensitivity, try your best to minimize sun exposure,Ԡsaid Ngo-Hamilton. Understand your medical conditions Ask your doctor if you have any medical conditions that may further increase the risk of sun sensitivity ӆor example, patients with lupus,ॣzema, andpsoriasis are at a higher risk,Ԡsaid Ngo-Hamilton. DonҴ stop medications if you get sunburned If you get sunburn while taking medication, donҴ stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor first. Ӂ lot of these medications are used to treat serious health conditions, such asarrhythmia, diabetes, and different autoimmune disorders. Stopping these medications can lead to serious health consequences,Ԡshe said. Ӊf the photosensitivity is too severe, your doctor can discuss other treatment options in addition to providing you with useful tips for skin health.Լ/p