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)
