FAQ
Photo Sensitizing Medications
Below is a list of the most common medications that are known to promote a photosensitizing effect. If you are taking any medications, ask your doctor how it will effect your reaction to sun exposure. If the medication you are taking is not on this list, consult your physician or pharmacist for verification of the substances’ photosensitivity.
- Acne Medications
- Antibacterials
- Antibiotics
- Anticancer drugs
- Antidepressants
- Anti-Inflammatory drugs
- Antiparasitics
- Antipsychotic drugs/Tranquilizers
- Antiseizure drugs
- Diuretics
- Hypoglycemics (diabetes)
- Psoralens
- Others
Acne Medications
- Accutane (Isotretinoin)
- Retin-A (Tretinoin)
Antibacterials
- Halogenated carbanilides
- Halogenated phenols (antibacterials in deodorant bar soaps, antiseptics and cosmetics)
- Halogenated salicylanilide
- Nalidixic acid
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Sulfonamides (including Sulfamethoxazole, Sulfisoxazole, Trisulfapyridines)
- Trimethoprim
Antibiotics
- Achromycin (Tetracycline)
- Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine)
- Batrim (Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim)
- Cinobac (Cinoxacin)
- Declomycin (Demeclocycline)
- Fansidar (Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine)
- Fulvicin-U/F (Griseofulvin)
- Gantanol (Sulfamethoxazole)
- Gantrisin (Sulfisoxazole)
- Minocin (Tetracycline, Minocycline)
- NegGram (Nalidixic Acid)
- Neotrizine (Sulfacytine)
- Renoquid (Sulfacytine)
- Rondomycin (Methacycline)
- Septra (Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim)
- Terramycin (Oxytetracycline)
- Tetracycline
- Thiosulfil (Sulfamethizole)
- Vibramycin (Doxycycline)
Anticancer Drugs
- DTIC-Dome (Dacarbazine)
- Efudex (Fluorouracil)
- Fluoroplex (Fluorouracil)
- Matulane (Procarbazine)
- Mexate (Methotrexate)
- Velban (Vinblastine)
Antidepressants
- Adapin (Doxepin)
- Asendin (Amoxapine)
- Aventyl HCL (Nortriptyline)
- Elavil (Amitriptyline)
- Ludiomil (Maprotiline)
- Marplan (Isocarboxazid)
- Norpramin (Desipramine)
- Pamelor (Nortriptyline)
- Pertofrane (Desipramine)
- Sinequan (Doxepin)
- Surmontil (Trimapramine)
- Tofranil (Imipramine)
- Vivactil (Protriptyline)
Antihistamines
- Benadryl, Benylin (Diphenhydramine)
- Dimetane (Brompheniramine)
- Periactin (Cyproheptadine)
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Advil, Motrin (Ibuprofen)
- Butazolidin (Phenylbutazone)
- Clinoril (Sulindac)
- Feldene (Piroxicam)
- Naprosyn (Naproxen)
- Orudis (Ketoprofen)
- Rinadyl (Carprofen)
Antiparasitics
- Bitin (Bithionol)
- Povan (Pyrvinium pamoate)
- Quinine
Antipsychotic Drugs/Tranquilizers
- Compazine (Prochlorperazine)
- Haldol (Haloperidol)
- Mellaril (Thioridazine)
- Navane (Thiothixene)
- Permitil (Fluphenazine)
- Prolixin (Fluphenazine)
- Quide (Piperacetazine)
- Stelazine (Trifluoperazine)
- Temaril (Trimeprazine)
- Teractan (Chlorprothixine)
- Thorazine (Chlorpromazine)
- Trilafon (Perphenazine)
- Vesprin (Triflupromazine)
Antiseizure Drugs
- Dilantin (Phenytoin)
- Paradione (Paramethadione)
- Tridione (Trimethadione)
Diuretics
- Anhydron (Cyclothiazide)
- Aquatensen (Methyclothiazide)
- Diamox (Acetazolamide)
- Diucardin (Hydroflumethiazide)
- Diuril (Chlorothiazide)
- Enduron (Methyclothiazide)
- Exna (Benzthiazide)
- HydroDIURIL (Hydrochlorothiazide)
- Hydromox (Quinethazone)
- Lasix (Furosemide)
- Metahydrin (Trichlormethiazide)
- Midamor (Amiloride)
- Naturetin (Bendroflumethiazide)
- Renese (Polythiazide)
- Zaroxolyn (Metolazone)
Hypoglycemics (Diabetes)
- Diabeta (Glyburide)
- Diabinese (Chlorpropamide)
- Dymelor (Acetohexamide)
- Glucotrol (Glipizide)
- Insulase (Chlorpropamide)
- Micronase (Glyburide)
- Orinase (Tolbutamide)
- Tolinase (Tolazamide)
Psoralens
- 8-Methoxypsoralen
- Oxsoralen
- Trisoralen
Others
- Americaine (Benzocain)
- Aralen (Chloroquine Hydrochloride)
- Capoten (Captopril)
- Cordarone (Amiodarone)
- Diethylstilbestrol
- Dermoplast (Benzocaine)
- Gold salts (Myochrysine, Solganol)
- Librium (Chlordiazepoxide)
- Musk ambrette (in perfumes)
- Norpace (Disopyramide)
- Oils of bergamot, citron, lavender, lemon, lime, rosemary, sandalwood, cedar and must ambrette (in perfumes and cosmetics)
- Oral contraceptives (Estrogen)
- PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid)
- Phenergan (Promethazine)
- pHisoHex (Hexachlorphene)
- Quinidine sulfate and gluconate
- Solarcaine (Benzocaine)
- Tattoos (Cadmium sulfide)
- 6-methylcoumarin (in perfumes, shaving lotions, sunscreens)
UV radiation from indoor tanning devices can cause:
- Skin Cancer, including melanoma, the type of skin cancer responsible for the most deaths
- Eye burns that can cause intense pain and negatively affect vision
- Sunburn (discomfort, pain and tenderness on the skin)
- Early skin aging, such as wrinkles and age spots