Common Drugs Can Make You More Sensitive To Heat, Sun: Report

Side effects some common over-the-counter and prescription medications may pose serious risks for users, making them more susceptible to the sun and heat, according to new warnings issued by a consumer advocacy group.

In a new report published this week by Consumer Reports, the public is urged to take steps to protect themselves from risks associated with ibuprofen, fluoroquinolone antibiotics and other widely used medications, which may cause skin pigmentation damage when users are exposed to sunlight, potentially resulting in the need for medical attention.

Often, people will take medications without realizing that sunlight exposure could cause adverse reactions. However, Consumer Reports indicates that drugs like Advil, Motrin, Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox and even St. John’s wort may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Drug-induced sun sensitivity could make individuals more prone to sunburn, or result in photosensitivity, a reaction that may result in red, painful, or itchy rashes that could develop into blisters, according to Consumer Reports.

Photosensitivity is a chemical change in the skin that comes in two basic forms; phototoxic and photoallergic. Phototoxic reactions are the most common form, in which the UV rays interact with medications. Due to the skin’s sensitivity to the medications, phototoxic reactions often result in a rash that appears as a bad sunburn within just minutes of sun exposure.

The second form of photosensitivity are photoallergic reactions, which occur when UV rays trigger chemical changes that the body interprets as an allergen. The result of this form of reaction often causes red, itchy, scaly rashes to develop within 24 hours to several days after exposure.

Prescription medications can result in more serious form of outbreaks when combined with UV ray exposure. Consumer Reports said the class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones, including Levaquin, Cipro and Avelox, is often found to cause adverse reactions when consumers are exposed to UV rays.

More permanent reactions can result from individuals taking blood pressure medications that use diuretic hydrochlorothiazide that are exposed to sunlight, potentially resulting in a condition called hyperpigmentation, which is the development of dark and permanent patches on the skin.

Although sunburn and rashes are the most common form of UV ray irritation when mixed with medications, other adverse health consequences can arise from drugs such as antidepressants, which can reduce the ability to sweat, making it difficult for the body to regulate its temperature, potentially resulting in muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, and even heat strokes. These types of reactions may result in heart-related illnesses, according to Jessica Krant, M.D. and board-certified dermatologist and member of the Consumer Reports medical advisory board.

Consumer Reports warns that those who are regularly taking either over-the-counter medications or prescription medications should consult with their healthcare provider or pharmacist prior to spending extended time periods in the sun to prevent adverse health effects.

Some tips the organization recommends are to always know your medications and the potential side effects they may cause, hydrate all throughout the day when exposed to sunlight or humid temperatures, use sunscreen, and stay cool by seeking shade whenever possible to escape constant UV ray exposure.