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Drug-induced photosensitivity

Authoring team

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:


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