Medications and Other Agents That Increase Sensitivity to Light Introduction

 • Medications List With Definitions • Medications Types & Samples •
• Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications • Other Agents •

Many medications, herbal and over the counter supplements contain ingredients that may cause photosensitivity, which is defined as a chemically induced change in the skin that makes an individual unusually sensitive to light.  An individual who has been photosensitized may develop a rash, sunburn, or other adverse effect from exposure to light of an intensity or duration that would normally not affect that individual.

Reactions to photosensitizing agents involve both photoallergy (allergic reaction of the skin) and phototoxicity (irritation of the skin) after exposure to ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight or artificial lighting (particularly from tanning booths).  This photosensitization of the skin may be caused by creams or ointments applied to the skin, by medications taken orally, by injection, or by the use of prescription inhalers.

In addition to an exaggerated skin burn, itching, scaling, rash, or swelling, exposure to ultraviolet light in combination with certain medications may result in:

Skin Cancer Premature skin aging Skin and eye burns Allergic reactions

Cataracts (clouding in the eyes) Reduced immunity Blood vessel damage.

The list of photosensitizing medications found on this page was taken from the current literature.  The list is not complete; if you are using a product that is not listed, you should consult your physician or pharmacist for guidance. Before using the list, you should be aware of the following:

1. NOT all individuals who use or take these medications will experience a photosensitive reaction.  Also, an individual who experiences a photosensitive reaction on one occasion will NOT necessarily experience it again or every time.
   
   Most entries in this listing do not indicate how often a photosensitive reaction has been reported.  If an entry includes a percentage in the Brand Name column (in bold type and parentheses), this number is the frequency of reaction reported in reference number 2 in the Bibliography.
    

2. A medication will NOT cause the same degree of skin reaction in all individuals.
    

3. Brand names or products should be considered only as examples; they do NOT represent all names under which the generic product may be sold.

	Primary Classes of Medications Responsible For Photosensitizing Reactions
	Reported Photosensitizing Medications
	Other Photosensitizing Agents
	Data Source

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• Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications • Other Agents •

Medications List With Definitions 

Antihistamines - any of various compounds that oppose the actions of histamine and are used especially for treating allergic reactions (as hay fever), cold symptoms, and motion sickness  

Coal Tar and Derivatives - tar obtained by distillation of bituminous coal and used in the treatment of some skin diseases by direct local application to the skin

Contraceptives  - deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation 

Estrogens & Oral Contraceptives  - any of various natural steroids (as estradiol) that are formed from androgen precursors, that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries, placenta, adipose tissue, and testes, and that stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and promote the growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system ; also : any of various synthetic or semisynthetic steroids (as ethinyl estradiol) that mimic the physiological effect of natural estrogens

Phenothiazines - any of various phenothiazine derivatives (as chlorpromazine) that are used as tranquilizing agents especially in the treatment of schizophrenia

Psoralens - a substance found in some plants that photosensitizes mammalian skin and is used in conjunction with ultraviolet light to treat psoriasis

Sulfonamides - any of various amides (as sulfanilamide) of a sulfonic acid, various synthetic organic bacteria-inhibiting drugs that are sulfonamides closely related chemically to sulfanilamide also called sulfa

Sulfonylureas - any of several hypoglycemic compounds (as glipizide and tolbutamide) related to the sulfonamides and used in the oral treatment of diabetes 

Thiazide Diuretics - any of a group of drugs used as oral diuretics especially in the control of high blood pressure and/or an agent that increases the excretion of urine.  

Tetracyclines - a yellow crystalline broad-spectrum antibiotic produced by a soil actinomycete of the genus Streptomyces (S. viridifaciens) or synthetically ; also, any of various derivatives of tetracycline

Tricyclic Antidepressants - being a chemical with three usually fused rings in the molecular structure and especially a tricyclic antidepressant, called also energizer, psychic energizer, psychostimulan

Note: If you are using medications in any of these classes, you should take precautions even if your particular medication is not listed.  Below are samples of the "types" of medication with examples of those types.

• Top • Medications List With Definitions • Medications Types & Samples •
• Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications • Other Agents •

• Top • Medications List With Definitions • Medications Types & Samples •
• Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications • Other Agents •

• Top • Medications List With Definitions • Medications Types & Samples •
• Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications • Other Agents •

Reported Photosensitizing Medications
(alphabetically by generic name)

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V
Generic Name	Brand Name	Therapeutic Class
Acetazolamide	Diamox	Anticonvulsant Antiglaucoma Diuretic
Amiloride + Hydrochlorothizide	Moduretic	Antiphyertensive Thiazide diuretic
Amiodarone	Cordarone (15%)	Antiarrhythmic
Amitriptyline	Elavil	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
Amitriptyline	Endep	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
Amoxapine	Asendin (<1%)	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
Astemizole	Hismanal	Antihistamine
Atenolol + Chlorthalidone	Tenoretic	Beta-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Auranofin	Ridaura	Antiarthritic Gold Compound
Azatadine	Optimine	Antihistamine
Azatidine + Pseudoephedrine	Trinalin Repetabs	Antihistamine Decongestant
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Bendroflumethiazide	Naturetin	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Benzthiazide	Exna	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Bromodiphenhydramine	Ambenyl	Antihistamine
Brompheniramine	Ambenyl	Antihistamine
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Captopril	Capoten	Antihypertensive
Captopril + Hydrochlorothiazide	Capozide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Carbamazepine	Tegretol	Analgesic Anticonvulsant
Chlorodiazepoxide + Amitriptyline	Limbitrol	Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer
Chlorothiazide	Diuril	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Chlorpheniramine	Chlorpheniramine	Antihistamine
Chlorpheniramine + D-Pseudoephedrine	Deconamine	Antihistamine Decongestant
Chlorpheniramine + Phenylpropanolamine	Ru-Tuss II	Antihistamine Decongestant
Chlorpromazine	Thorazine	Antiemetic Tranquilizer
Chlorpropamide	Diabinese	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Chlorprothixene	Taractan	Antiemetic Tranquilizer
Chlorthalidone	Hygroton	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Chlorthalidone	Thalitone	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Chlorthalidone + Reserpine	Demi-Regroton	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Chlorthalidone + Reserpine	Regroton	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Ciprofloxacin	Cipro (<1%)	Anti-infective
Clemastine	Tavist	Antihistamine
Clofazime	Lamprene (<1%)	Antibacterial
Clonidine + Chlorthalidone	Combipres	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Coal tar	Estar Gel	Antipsoriatic Eczema
Coal tar	Balnetar	Antipsoriatic Eczema
Contraceptive, oral	Estrogen	Birth control pill Female Sex hormone
Cromolyn	Intal Inhaler	Antiasthmatic
Cyclobenzaprine	Periactin	Antihistamine Antiserotonergic
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Dacarbazine	DTIC-Dome	Anti-Hodgkin's disease Antimetabolite
Danazol	Danocrine	Gonadotropin inhibitor
Demeclocycline	Demeclocyclin	Antibiotic
Desipramine	Norpramin	Antidepressant (trycyclic)
Desipramine	Pertofrane	Antidepressant (trycyclic)
Dexchlorpheniramine	Polaramine	Antihistamine
Diclofenac	Voltaren (<1%)	NSAID, antiarthritic
Diflunisal	Dolobid (1%)	NSAID, antiarthritic
Diltiazem	Cardizem (<1%)	Antianginal Antihypertensive Calcium channel blocker
Diphenhydramine	Benedryl	Antihistamine
Diphenylpyraline	Hispril Spansule	Antihistamine
Doxepin	Sinequan	Antidepressant (trycyclic)
Doxycycline	Bivramycin	Antibiotic
Doxycycline Hyclate	Doryx	Antibiotic
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Enalapril	Vasotec	Antihypertensive
Enalapril + Hydrochlorothiazide	Vaseretic	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Erythromycin  Ethylsuccinate + Sulfisoxazole	Pediazole	Antibiotic
Estrogens	Contraceptive, oral	Female sex hormone
Estrogens	Estrogens	Female sex hormone
Ethionamide	Trecator-SC	Anti-infective Antituberculosis
Etretinate	Tegison	Antipsoriatic
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Floxuridine	FUDR Injectable	Antimetabolite Antineoplastic
Flucytosine	Ancobon	Antifungal
Fluorouracil	Adrucil	Antineoplastic
Fluorouracil	Efudex	Antineoplastic
Fluorouracil	Fluorouracil	Antineoplastic
Fluphenzine	Prolixin	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Fluphenzine	Permitil	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Flurbiprofen	Ansaid	NSAID, antiarthritic
Flutamide	Eulexin	Antimetastic (prostatic carcinoma)
Furosemide	Lasix	Antihypertensive Diuretic
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Gentamicin	Garamycin	Antibiotic
Glipizide	Glucotrol	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Glyburide	Diabeta	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Glyburide	Micronase	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Gold Salts (Compounds)	Solganal	Antiarthritic Gold Compound
Gold Sodium Thiomalate	Myochrysine	Antiarthritic Gold Compound
Griseofulvin	Fulvicin U/F	Antibiotic Antifungal
Griseofulvin	Grisactin Ultra	Antibiotic Antifungal
Guanethidine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Esimil	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
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Haloperidol	Haldol	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Hexachlorophene	Phisohex	Antibacterial
Hydralazine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Apresazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydralazine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Apresoline-Esidrix	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide	Esidrix	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide	Hydrodiuril	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide	Oretic	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide + Deserpidine	Oreticyl	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide + Triamterene	Dyazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide + Triamterene	Maxzide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydroflumethiazide	Diucardin	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydroflumethiazide	Saluron	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydroflumethiazide + Reserpine	Salutensin/Salutensin-Demi	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
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Ibuprofen	Advil (<1%)	NSAID, antiarthritic
Ibuprofen	Motrin (<1%)	NSAID, antiarthritic
Imipramine	Tofranil	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
Indapamide	Lozol	Antihypertensive Diuretic
Interferon ALFA-2B	Intron A (<1%)	Antiviral agent
Isocarboxazid	Marplan	Antidepressant MAO inhibitor
Isotretinoin	Accutane	Antiacne
[Top ]  [ Medications List With Definitions ]  [ Medications Types & Samples ] [ Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications ]  [ Other Agents ]
Ketoprofen	Orudis (<1%)	NSAID, antiarthritic
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Labetalol	Normodyne	Antihypertensive Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker
Labetalol + Hydrochlorothiazide	Normozide	Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Labetalol + Hydrochlorothiazide	Trandate HCT	Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Lisinopril + Hydrochlorothiazide	Prinzide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Lisinopril + Hydrochlorothiazide	Zestoretic	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Lovastatin	Mevacor	Anticholesterol
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Maprotiline	Ludiomil	Antidepressant
Meperidine + Promethiazine	Mepergan	Narcotic analgesic
Mesoridazine	Serentil	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Methacycline	Rondomycin	Antibiotic
Methazolamide	Neptazane	Antiglaucoma
Methdilazine	Tacaryl	Antihistamine Antipruritic
Methotrexate	Folex	Antimetabolite Antipsoriatic
Methotrexate	Methotrexate	Antimetabolite Antipsoriatic
Methotrexate	Mexate & Mexate-AQ	Antimetabolite Antipsoriatic
Methyclothiazide	Aquatensen	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyclothiazide	Enduron	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyclothiazide + Deserpidine	Enduronyl	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyclothiazide + Reserpine	Diutensen-R	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyldopa + Hydrochlorothiazide	Aldoril	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyldopa + Chlorothiazide	Aldoclor	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Metolazone	Diulo	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Metolazone	Mykrox	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Metolazone	Zaroxolyn	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Metoprolol + Hyrdochlorothiazide	Lopressor HCT	Beta-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Minocycline	Minocin	Antibiotic
Minoxidol	Rogaine	Hair growth stimulator
• Top • Medications List With Definitions • Medications Types & Samples • • Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications • Other Agents •
Nabilone	Cesamet	Antiemetic Antinausea
Nadolol + Bendroflumethiazide	Corzide	Antihypertensive Beta-adrenergic blocker
Nalidixic Acid	NegGram	Antimicrobial
Naprosyn	Anaprox	NSAID, Antiarthritic
Naprosyn	Naproxen	NSAID, Antiarthritic
Nifedipine	Adalat	Antianginal Antihypertensive Calcium channel blocker
Nifedipine	Procardia	Antianginal Antihypertensive Calcium channel blocker
Norfloxacin	Noroxin	Antibacterial
Nortriptyline	Pamelor	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
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Oxytetracycline	Terramycin	Antibiotic
Perphenazine	Trilafon	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Perphenazine + Amitriptyline	Etrafon	Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer
Perphenazine + Amitriptyline	Triavil	Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer
Phenylbutazone	Butazolidin	NSAID, Antiarthritic
Phenylpropanolamine + Chlorpheniramine	Ornade Spansule	Antihistamine Decongestant
Phenylpropanolamine + Pheniramine + Pyrilamine	Traminic TR	Antihistamine Decongestant
Phenytoin	Dilantin	Anticonvulsant
Piroxicam	Feldene	NSAID, Antiarthritic
Polythiazide	Renese	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Prazosin + Polythiazide	Minizide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Prochlorperazine	Compazine	Antinausea Anti-vomiting
Promethazine	Thenargan	Antihistamine
Propranolol + Hydrochlorothiazide	Inderide	Beta-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Protriptyline	Vivactil	Antidepressant (Trycyclic)
Pyrazinamide	Pyrazinamide	Anti-infective Antituberculosis
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Quinethazone	Hydromox	Antihypertensive Diuretic
Quinidine Gluconate	Quinaglute Dura-Tabs	Antiarrhythmic
Quinidine Sulfate	Quindex Extentabe	Antiarrhythmic
Quinidine Sulfate	Quinora	Antiarrhythmic
Quinine	Quinamm	Antiprotozoal
Rauwolfia serpentina + Bendroflumethizide	Rauzide	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Reserpine + Chlorothiazide	Diupres	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Reserpine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Hydropres	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Reserpine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Serpasil-Esidrix	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Reserpine + Hydralazine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Ser-Ap-Es	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
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Selegiline	Eldepryl	Anti-Parkinsonism MAO inhibitor
Spironolactone + Hydrochlorothiazide	Aldactazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Sulfacytine	Renoquid	Antibiotic
Sulfadoxine + Pyrimethamine	Fansidar	Antimalarial Antiprotozoal
Sulfamethizole + Phenazopyridine	Thiosulfil-A	Urinary analgesic Antibiotic
Sulfamethoxazole	Gantanol	Antibiotic
Sulfamethoxazole + Phenazopyridine	Azo Gantanol	Antibiotic Urinary analgesic
Sulfapyridine	(Generic only)	Dermatitis herpetiformis suppresant
Sulfasalazine	Azulfidine	Bowel anti-inflammatory
Sulfinpyrazone	Anturane	Antigout agent Antihypertensive
Sulfasoxazole	Gantrisin	Antibiotic
Sulfasoxazole + Phenazopyridine	Azo Gantrisin	Antibiotic Urinary analgesic
Sulfone	Dapsone	Antileprosy Antimalarial
Sulindac	Clinoril (<1%)	NSAID, antiarthritic
• Top • Medications List With Definitions • Medications Types & Samples • • Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications • Other Agents •
Terfenadine	Seldane	Antihistamine
Tetracycline	Achromycin	Antibiotic
Tetracycline	Sumycin	Antibiotic
Thioridazine	Mellaril	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Thiothixene	Navane	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Timolol + Hydrochlorothiazide	Timolide	Beta-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Tolazamide	Tolinase	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Tolbutamide	Orinase	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Tretinoin	Retin-A	Antiacne (topical)
Triamterene	Dyrenium	Antihypertensive Diuretic
Trifluoperazine	Stelazine	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Triflupromazine	Vesprin	Antiemetic Antipsychotic
Trimeprazine	Temaril	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Trimethoprim	Trimpex	Antibiotic
Trimethoprim + Sulfamethoxazole	Bactrim	Antibiotic
Trimethoprim + Sulfamethoxazole	Septra	Antibiotic
Trimipramine	Surmontil	Antidepressant (trycyclic)
Tripelennamine	PBZ	Antihistamine
Triprolidine	Actidil	Antihistamine
Triprolidine + Pseudoephedrine	Actifed	Antihistamine Decongestant
Vinblastine	Velban	Antieoplastic

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• Alphabetical List of Photosensitizing Medications • Other Agents •