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Sun-Sensitizing Drugs

Sun-sensitizing drugs are drugs that have __________________ when people taking them are
________________ to the sun. Some reactions are caused by exposure to the sun's UVB or
"___________" waves, but most are caused by UVA or "_____________" wave exposure.
There are ____ main types of sun-sensitizing drug ______________. They are:
__________allergy. In this case, problems occur when skin is exposed to the sun after certain
medicines or compounds are _____________ to the skin's ____________. The ultraviolet (UV) light
of the sun causes a ________________ change in the drug. This, in turn, causes the production of
_______bodies that are responsible for the sun-sensitivity reaction. The reaction usually includes an
eczema-type __________, which often occurs a _______ days after exposure. The rash can also
______________ to parts of the body that were ________ exposed to the sun.
_________toxicity. This is the most _____________ type of sun-sensitivity drug reaction. It can
occur when skin is exposed to the sun after certain medications are _____________, taken orally, or
_____________ to the skin. The drug ____________ the UV light, then releases it into the skin,
causing cell __________. Within a _______ days, symptoms appear on the ___________ areas of
the body. In some people, symptoms can persist up to ____ years after the medication is
____________. Among the most _______________ phototoxic drugs are the tetracycline family,
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen), and amiodarone (Cordarone, a
heart medication).
It's important to note that _______________ person who uses these drugs has a _____________. If
it does happen, it can be a _____-time occurrence, or it can happen _________ time the drug is
taken and sun exposure occurs. People with HIV are among the ___________ likely group to
experience sun sensitivity to drugs.
Sun-sensitizing drugs can aggravate existing skin conditions, including eczema and herpes, and may
inflame _________ tissue. Sun exposure can also _____________ or even precipitate autoimmune
disorders, such as lupus.
Can sunscreen help? Absolutely. It will _____________ the impact of sun exposure. But some
ingredients in sunscreens are potentially photosensitizing, so in rare circumstances, it could
_____________ symptoms. Ask the pharmacist about this.
Drugs that can Cause Sun Sensitivity
There are lots of medications and over-the-counter drugs that can cause sun sensitivity. If you’re on prescription medication(s) and don’t see your drug listed below, please check with your pharmacist. Some of the most ______________ medications that are affected by you being in the sun include: Antibiotics: Doxycycline, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, trimethoprim Antidepressants: doxepin (Sinequan); and other tricyclics; St. John's wort Antihistamine: promethazine, diphenhydramine Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories: ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, Piroxicam Diuretics: urosemide, bumetanide, hydrolorothiazide Antihypertensives (blood pressure drugs): Aldactazide, Capozide, Cardizem, diltiazem Cholesterol drugs: simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin PDT Pro photosensitizers: 5-aminolevulinic acid, methyl-5-aminolevulinic acid Neuroleptic drugs: Chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, thioridazine, thiothixene Sulfonamides: sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfasalazine, sulfisoxazole Other drugs: Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), 5-FU, quinidine, dapsone

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