Many drugs can cause severe skin reactions to the sun, this side effect is called photosensitivity. The severity of the skin reactions depends on the strength of the drugs patients take and amount of time they spend out in the sun. Patients taking certain antibiotics, a group of medications known as sulfonamides, and antidepressants are most at risk, because those medications increase the skin’s reactivity to ultraviolet rays. Drug-induced photosensitivity reactions can occur within minutes or present up to 72 hours after sun exposure. Drug-induced photosensitivity, presents with symptoms like severe sunburn: acute pain, skin peeling, and blistering.
Pharmacist are good source of information, pharmacists are familiar with rug’s common side effects. It was a pharmacist who invented sunscreen. Benjamin Green was pharmacist and United States airman who fought in World War II, Mr. Green invented Coppertone. For a list of medications that can cause photosensitivity go to: Medscape.
