{"id":1750,"date":"2008-06-01T09:43:00","date_gmt":"2008-06-01T13:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/?p=1750"},"modified":"2008-06-01T09:43:00","modified_gmt":"2008-06-01T13:43:00","slug":"taking-medications-beware-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2008\/06\/01\/taking-medications-beware-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking Medications? Beware the Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Taking<\/a>With the official start of summer upon us, pharmacists at Cooper University Hospital remind you and your family to use sun protection especially when taking medications.<\/p>\n

\u201cHundreds of medications can cause unpleasant side effects when taken by people who are exposed to the sun,\u201d said Jacqueline Sutton, R.Ph., Pharm.D., Director of Pharmacy Services at Cooper University Hospital.<\/p>\n

One such side effect is a photosensitivity reaction that can resemble severe sunburn or appear as a rash on the skin.<\/p>\n

For your convenience, Cooper\u2019s Pharmacy Services Department has compiled this list of common medications that can potentially cause photosensitivity reactions:<\/p>\n

Chemotherapy Agents<\/strong>
\nCapecitabine (Xeloda\u00ae)
\nFluorouracil (5-FU)
\nMethotrexate (Mexate\u00ae)
\nTretinoin (Vesanoid\u00ae)<\/p>\n

Dermatologic Agents<\/strong>
\nIsotretinoin (Accutane\u00ae)
\nMinoxidil (Rogaine\u00ae)
\nTretinoin, topical (Retin-A\u00ae)<\/p>\n

Antibiotics<\/strong>
\nAzithromycin (Zithromax\u00ae)
\nCiprofloxacin (Cipro\u00ae)
\nDoxycycline (Vibramycin)
\nLevofloxacin (Levaquin\u00ae)
\nMetronidazole (Flagyl\u00ae)
\nMinocycline (Minocin\u00ae)
\nSulfamethoxazole\/trimethoprim (Bactrim\u00ae)
\nTetracycline<\/p>\n

Antidiabetic Agents<\/strong>
\nGlimepiride (Amaryl\u00ae)
\nGlipizide (Glucotrol\u00ae)
\nGlyburide (Micronase\u00ae, Diabeta\u00ae)<\/p>\n

Antihistamines<\/strong>
\nCetirizine (Zyrtec\u00ae)
\nDiphenhydramine (Benadryl\u00ae)
\nLoratadine (Claritin\u00ae)
\nPromethazine (Phenergan\u00ae)
\nAnti-inflammatory Agents
\nCelecoxib (Celebrex\u00ae)
\nCyclobenzaprine (Flexeril\u00ae)
\nIbuprofen (Motrin\u00ae)
\nNaproxen (Naprosyn\u00ae)
\nSumatriptan (Imitrex\u00ae)<\/p>\n

Antipsychotic Agents<\/strong>
\nAmitriptyline (Elavil\u00ae)
\nChlorpromazine (Thorazine\u00ae)
\nDoxepin (Sinequan\u00ae)
\nHaloperidol (Haldol\u00ae)
\nQuetiapine (Seroquel\u00ae)
\nRisperidone (Risperdal\u00ae)
\nZiprasidone (Geodon\u00ae)<\/p>\n

Cardiovascular Agents<\/strong>
\nAmiodarone (Cordarone\u00ae, Pacerone\u00ae)
\nCaptopril (Capoten\u00ae)
\nDiltiazem (Cardizem\u00ae)
\nEnalapril (Vasotec\u00ae)
\nFurosemide (Lasix\u00ae)
\nHydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril\u00ae, Microzide\u00ae)
\nPravastatin (Pravachol\u00ae)
\nQuinidine (Quinaglute\u00ae)
\nSimvastatin (Zocor\u00ae)<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, the best way to find out if your medications have the potential to cause a photosensitivity reaction is to talk to your pharmacist or doctor,\u201d Sutton said. \u201cMany other drugs can potentially cause this reaction and more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether taking medications or not, everyone is advised to always use a sunscreen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sun produces both visible and invisible rays. This may cause sunburn and sun damage without anyone noticing,\u201d Sutton said.<\/p>\n

The American Academy of Dermatology encourages anyone going outside to wear a sunscreen with at least an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15, even on cloudy days.<\/p>\n

Here are more sun-protection tips from the American Academy of Dermatology:<\/p>\n