Pharmacy Assistant - Green Cross Publishing

causing the skin to produce antibodies. The result is an allergic
reaction. Symptoms can appear within 20 seconds after sun
exposure, producing eczema-like skin conditions that can
spread to nonexposed parts of the body. But sometimes,
photoallergic reactions can be delayed.
Other regularly used products that can cause photoallergic
reactions include ibuprofen, digitoxin, doxepin, amiodarone,
trimethoprim, chlorpropamide, piroxicam, doxycycline,
promethazine, chlorpromazine.
Phototoxic reactions, which do not affect the body’s
immune system, are more common
than photoallergic reactions. These
reactions can occur in response to
injected, oral or topically applied
medications.
In phototoxic reactions, the drug
absorbs energy from UV light and
releases the energy into the skin,
causing skin cell damage or death.
The reaction occurs from within a
few minutes to up to several hours
after UV light exposure. Though
sunburn-like symptoms appear
only on the parts of the body
exposed to UV radiation, resulting
skin damage can persist.
Long lasting effects
For example, Dr Henry Lim,
reported in the March 1990 issue
of the Archives of Dermatology that
several patients previously exposed
to photoallergens continued to
have phototoxic skin eruptions
up to 20 years after discontinuing
medication use, even though they
avoided further exposure to the
photoallergens.
Frequently prescribed
medications that cause phototoxic
reactions include tetracycline
antibiotics, NSAIDS, and
amiodarone.
Because drug-induced
photosensitivity disorder
symptoms mimic sunburns,
rashes and allergic reactions,
many cases go unreported. Also,
although research has shown that
the numbers of photosensitized
individuals may be high, most
people do not associate the sun’s
light with the development of their
skin eruptions.
In phototoxic
reactions, the drug
absorbs energy from
UV light and releases
the energy into the
skin, causing skin cell
damage or death.
Brand Name Generic Name Therapeutic Class
Advil
Advil Cold & Flu
Nurofen
Nurofen Plus
Nurofen Cold & Flu NSAID, (non steroidal anti-inflammatory)
Brufen ibuprofen
Solfen antiarthritic
Melfen
Bufigen
Codafen
Lanoxin digitoxin antiarrhythmic
Sinequan doxepin antidepressant
Cordarone amiodarone antiarrhythmic
Bactrim
Duobact trimethroprim antibiotic
Septrin
Tri-Minulet
Diabinese chlorpropamide antidiabetic (oral)
Feldene piroxicam NSAID, antiarthritic
Vibramycin doxycycline antibiotic
Phenergan promethazine antihistamine
Although those with fair skin are more susceptible to
photosensitizing, it is not uncommon for dark-skinned
individuals to have chronic photodermatitis.
People infected with HIV, or immunosuppressed patients,
are also more susceptible to photosensitive disorders so they
need to exercise special care in UV light exposure.
Photo-recall
What is termed a ‘photo-recall’ can take place when a nonphotoreactive
product prompts the repeat of a previous
reaction to a photoreactive agent.
Photoreactive products can also aggravate existing skin
problems like eczema, herpes, psoriasis and acne, and can
inflame scar tissue. They can also precipitate or worsen
autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus and
rheumatoid arthritis.
In a recent clinical study carried out by Professor Nishigori, the
use of Anthelios 50+ was shown to prevent phototoxic erythema
caused by photosensitising treatments including doxycycline,
dacarbazine, and chlorpropamide.
Common photosensitizes
The Table below lists just some of the more commonly used drugs
that can cause photosensitivity reactions in some people:
Clonazine
per-medication. emesis, schizophrenia
Largactil
chlorpromazine
schizophrenia
La Roche-Posay is the no.1 photo protection recommended by over 25,000 dermatologists
worldwide. The efficacy of La Roche-Posay Anthelios has been demonstrated through
20 studies and a new clinical study proves the efficiency of La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL
SPF50+ in the prevention of photo-toxic reactions in 95% of patients tested.*
* Source: C. Nishigori, Division of Dermatology, Clinical Molecular Department, Kobe, Japan, 2006
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