drug-induced photosensitivity
Last reviewed 01/2018
Several drugs may interact with ultraviolet or visible light to cause adverse cutaneous effects. The principal effects are summarised:
- phototoxicity - the most common; caused by phenothiazines, amiodarone, thiazides, NSAID's, quinine, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, retinoids, psoralens, fluoroquinolones, griseofulvin, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine (1)
- photoallergy - sulphonamides, phenothiazines, thiazides, pyridoxine, griseofulvin, quinidine, sunscreens, antibacterial agents (1)
- lupus erythematous - hydralazine, procainamide, thiazides
- pseudoporphyria - frusemide, nalidixic acid, amiodarone, ciprofloxacin, bumetanide, NSAID's
- lichen planus - thiazides, quinine
- pellagra - isoniazid
Atopic diatheses may predispose to drug-induced photosensitivity (1).
Reference: