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From WestplexToday.com Women's Interests
“People that are taking medication that causes photosensitivity should avoid sunlight to the best of their ability,” says Jerry Callahan, owner of Elsberry Pharmacy
in Elsberry and the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies in
Signs of skin reaction include redness, inflammation and sometimes discoloration of the skin that has been exposed to sunlight for even a short period of time. Some drugs in the
following categories are known to trigger skin sensitivity: acne; antidepressants; antifungals; antimalarials; antipsychotic; chemotherapy; antidiabetics; diuretics; heart; topical creams and some antibiotics such as
tetracyclines. Household nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also cause a reaction.
The CDC recommends avoiding exposure to UV rays between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. People in the sun during this time or anytime should wear protective clothing, sunglasses that provide 100% protection against UV radiation, and a sunscreen with at least a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. People taking photosensitive medication need to be extremely cautious during these time periods.
If a person does have a skin reaction to sun exposure, the CDC says to stay in shaded or indoor areas and use moisturizing creams, aloe vera
, or an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to relieve the symptoms. In severe cases, narcotic analgesics may be needed to relieve pain.
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About Elsberry Pharmacy and the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies
Our motto is BETTER VALUE, BETTER SERVICE, BETTER HEALTHCARE. We offer prompt personal and friendly service with most prescriptions filled in 15 minutes or less, and we offer generics from $4 per month and discounts on all other medications when you enroll in our advantage savings plan. © Copyright 2010 by WestplexToday.com |
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) some common medications can cause photosensitive reactions. Chemical-induced photosensitivity happens when a person takes certain prescription and over-the-counter medications that cause abnormally increased skin sensitivity to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.