Do Your Medications Increase Your Risk of Sunburn?

Heat waves can also mean increased risk of sunburn
Summer is here, and central Canada is in the middle of a heat wave accompanied by extremely high ultraviolet radiation levels. The best place to be right now is inside an air conditioned building. But it's festival season in Montreal. And since we spend about six months of the year whining that it's too cold, most of us feel guilty if we don't get outside in the few weeks of really warm weather nature grants us each year. If you can't bring yourself to hibernate for the next few days, do be safe when you go out. Take frequent breaks from physical activities, drink lots of fluids, and get into the shade when you can. Wear sun protection (not just sunscreen, but shirts and wide brimmed hats too!) And if you regularly take any form of medication or natural remedy, be aware that it may increase your risk of sunburn.

Prescription medications that may increase risk of sunburn
There is a whole laundry list of medications that can increase photosensitivity. Taking these drugs can mean that even with sunscreen and other forms of protection, you are more susceptible to sunburn and you may not be able to stay outside as long as you'd like. Keep in mind that risk of sunburn is already higher on days with high UV readings, and for people with fair skin. If you are fair and the UV levels are high, and you are taking medications that increase your photosensitivity, you may find a bad sunburn can happen in a very short amount of time.

Prescription drugs and treatments that may promote photosensitivity include: some antibiotics and antifungals; certain medications for diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy; some chemotherapy agents; some antimalarials; a number of drugs prescribed for anxiety, depression or mental illness; some medications for acne, and some skin treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion. If you have been warned about increased risk of sunburn, be sure to take extra precautions to protect yourself from exposure to the sun.

If your clinic or pharmacy doesn't provide a patient information sheet listing all known side effects and reactions for your treatment or prescription medication, ask for documentation. And if you think you are more susceptible to sunburns after beginning any medication, be sure to mention it to your pharmacist and physician. This is especially important if you are taking a relatively new medication, as lists of side effects are continually updated even after drugs are approved.

Over the counter drugs that can cause photosensitivity
Even non-prescription medications can increase sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. This can be a problem if you use the medication on a regular basis, but it may also be an issue with short-term use. If you notice that your sun protection seems less effective while taking an over the counter (OTC ) drug, take extra precautions until you are finished taking the medication. If you are using OTC medication on the advice of a physician, mention your reaction to the doctor at your next visit or make an appointment to discuss it.

Over the counter preparations that can increase photosensitivity include: antihistamines (Benadryl); non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). Herbal remedies such as Dong quai and St. John's wort can also cause photosensitivity, as can fragrances or skin products containing the oils of lavender, bergamot, sandalwood or musk. even some sunscreens can increase photosensitivity! Benzophenones, dibenzoylmethanes, cyclohexanol, salicylates, cinnamates, and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) in sunscreens are among WebMD's noted "sunburn boosters," and even Merck recognizes that some sunscreens can be linked to increased risk of sunburn.

Sources:
Elizabeth Lee, "Beware of sunburn boosters." WebMD

"Photosensitivity reactions." Merck

Marcia Purse, "Summer and our meds." About.com: Bipolar Disorder