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Protecting Your Skin

Many medications and topical solutions can cause the skin to burn or break out in a rash when exposed to ultraviolet light.  The most common photosensitizing materials are listed on the following pages. This is not a list of every material that could have photosensitizing effects. If there is any question about a drug or product, consult your physician. Remember, it is better to be safe than sensitive.

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.

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

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

Jerome I. Levine, M.S., R.Ph., prepared the following list for the Federal Drug Administration. The list was published under the title "Medications That Increase Sensitivity To Light: A 1990 Listing." The FDA has confirmed this list to be the most recent.

The mention of commercial products, their sources, or their use in connection with material reported herein is not to be construed as either an actual or implied endorsement of such products by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Primary Class of Medications Responsible for Photosensitizing Reactions 
(Examples By Generic Name)

ANTIHISTAMINES    [top]

Astemizole
Azatadine
Brompheniramine
Buclizine
Carbinoxamine
Chlorpheniramine
Clemastine
Cyclizine
Cyproheptadine
Dexchlorpheniramine
Dimenhydrinate
Diphenhydramine
Diphenylpyraline
Doxylamine
Hydroxyzine
Meclizine
Methapyrilene
Methdilazine
Orphenadrine
Pheniramine
Promethazine
Pyrilamine
Terfenadine
Trimeprazine
Tripelennamine
Triprolidine

COAL TAR AND DERIVATIVES (examples by brand names)  [top]

Alphosyl
Aquatar
Denorex Medicated Shampoo
DHS Tar Gel Shampoo
DOAK Shampoo
Estar
Ionil T Plus
LAVATAR
Medotar
T\Derm Tar Emollient
Tegrin Shampoo
T\Gel Therapeutic Shampoo
Zetar Shampoo

CONTRACEPTIVES, ORAL & ESTROGENS (birth control pills, female sex hormones)  [top]

ESTROGENS
Chlorotrianisene
Diethylstilbestrol
Estradiol
Estrogens, conjugated
Estrogens, esterfied
Estropipate

PROGESTOGENS
Ethinyl estradiol
Medroxyprogesterone
Megestrol
Norethindrone
Norgestrel
Quinestrol

NSAID: NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (antiarthritics)   [top]

Diclofenac
Diflunisal
Fenoprofen
Flurbiprofen
Ibuprofen
Indomethacin
Ketoprofen
Meclofenamate
Naproxen
Phenylbutazone
Piroxicam
Sulindac
Suprofen
Tolmetin

PHENOTHIAZINES  (major tranquilizers, anti-emetics)   [top]

Acetophenazine
Butaperazine
Carphenazine
Chlorpromazine
Ethopropazine
Fluphenazine
Mesoridazine
Methdilazine
Methotrimeprazine
Perphenazine
Piperacetazine
Prochlororperazine
Promazine
Promethazine
Propiomazine
Thiethylperazine
Thioridazine
Trifluoperazine
Triflupromazine
Trimeprazine

PSORALENS

Methoxsalen
Trioxsalen

SULFONAMIDES  ("sulfa" drugs, antimicrobials, anti-infectives)   [top]

Acetazolamide
Sulfacytine
Sulfadiazine
Sulfadoxine
Sulfamethizole
Sulfamethoxazole
Sulfapyridine
Sulfasalazine
Sulfinpyrazone
Sulfisoxazole

SULFONYLUREAS (oral anti-diabetics, hypoglycemics)   [top]

Acetohexamide
Chlorpropamide
Glipizide
Glyburide
Tolazamide
Tolbutamide

THIAZIDE DIURETICS ("water pills")   [top]

Bendroflumethiazide
Benzthiazide
Chlorothiazide
Chlorthalidone
Cyclothiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydroflumethiazide
Methyclothiazide
Polythiazide
Trichlormethiazide

TETRACYCLINES (antibiotics, anti-infectives)   [top]

Chlortetracycline
Demeclocycline
Doxycycline
Methacycline
Oxytetracycline
Tetracycline

TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS   [top]

Amitriptyline
Amoxapine
Desipramine
Doxepin
Imipramine
Nortriptylin
Protriptyline
Trimipramine

Reported Photosensitizing Medications   [top]

Generic Name

Brand Name

Therapeutic Class

Acetazolamide

Diamox

Anticonvulsant, Antiglaucoma diuretic

Amiloride + Hydrochlorothizide

Moduretic 

Antihypertensive, 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

Bendroflumethiazide

Naturetin

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Benzthiazide

Exna

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Bromodiphenhydramine

Ambenyl

Antihistamine

Brompheniramine

Dimetane

Antihistamine

Captopril

Capoten

Antihypertensive

Captopril + Hydrochlorothiazide

Capozide

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Carbamazepine

Tegretol

Analgesic, Anticonvulsant

Chlordiazepoxide + Amitriptyline

Limbitrol

Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer

Chlorothiazide

Diuril

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Chlorpheniramine 

Chlorpheniramine 

Antihistamine

Chlorpheniramin + 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, Antileprosy agent

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

Flexeril 

Anti-skeletal, Muscle spasms

Cyproheptadine

Periactin

Antihistamine, Antiserotonergic

Dacarbazine 

DTIC-Dome 

Anti-Hodgkin's disease, Antimetabolite

Danazol

Danocrine

Gonadotropin inhibitor

Demeclocycline

Declomycin

Antibiotic

Desipramine

Norpramin

Antidepressant (tricyclic)

Desipramine

Pertofrane 

Antidepressant (tricyclic)

Dexchlorpheniramine

Polaramine

Antihistamine

Diclofenac

Voltaren (<1%)

NSAID,* antiarthritic

Diflunisal 

Dolobid (<1%)

NSAID,* antiarthritic

Diltiazem Calcium channel blocker

Cardizem (<1%)

Antianginal, Antihypertensive 

Diphenhydramine 

Benadryl 

Antihistamine

Diphenylpyraline

Hispril Spansule

Antihistamine

Doxepin

Sinequan

Antidepressant (tricyclic)

Doxycycline

Vibramycin

Antibiotic

Doxycycline Hyclate

Doryx

Antibiotic

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

Floxuridine

FUDR Injectable

Antimetabolite, Antineoplastic

Flucytosine

Ancobon

Antifungal

Fluorouracil

Adrucil

Antineoplastic

Fluorouracil 

Efudex

Antineoplastic

Fluorouracil

Fluorouracil

Antineoplastic

Fluphenazine

Prolixin

Antipsychotic, Tranquilizer

Fluphenazine

Permitil 

Antipsychotic, Tranquilizer

Flurbiprofen

Ansaid

NSAID,* antiarthritic

Flutamide

Eulexin

Antimetastatic (prostatic carcinoma)

Furosemide

Lasix 

Antihypertensive, Diuretic

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 Ultramicrosize

Grisactin Ultra

Antibiotic, Antifungal

Guanethidine + Hydrochlorothiazide

Esimil

Antihypertensive,  Thiazide diuretic

Haloperidol 

Haldol

Antipsychotic, Tranquilizer

Hexachlorophene

Phisohex

Antibacterial

Hydralazine + Hydrochlorothiazide

Apresazide

Antihypertensive,  Thiazide diuretic

Hydralazine

Apresoline-Esidrix

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Hydrochlorothiazide

Esidrix 

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Hydrochlorothiazide

Hydrodiuril 

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Hydrochlorothiazide

Oretic

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Hydrochlorothiazide

Oreticyl

Antihypertensive, + Deserpidine Thiazide diuretic

Hydrochlorothiazide + Triamterene

Dyazide

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Hydrochlorothiazide

Maxzide

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Hydroflumethiazide

Diucardin

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Hydroflumethiazide

Saluron

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Hydroflumethiazide + Reserpine

Salutensin/Salutensin-Demi

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

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

Ketoprofen

Orudis (<1%)

NSAID,* antiarthritic

Labetalol

Normodyne

Antihypertensive,Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker

Labetalol + Hydrochlorothiazide

Normozide

Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker, Thiazide diuretic

" "

Trandate HCT

Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker, Thiazide diuretic

Lisinopril + Hydrochlorothiazide

Prinzide

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

" "

Zestoretic

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Lovastatin

Mevacor 

Anticholesterol

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

Antimetabolite, Antipsoriatic

" "

Mexate & Mexate-AQ

Antimetabolite, Antipsoriatic

Methyclothiazide

Aquatensen

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

" "

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

" "

Mykrox 

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

" "

Zaroxolyn

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Metoprolol + Hydrochlorothiazide

Lopressor HCT

Beta-adrenergic blocker, Thiazide diuretic

Minocycline

Minocin

Antibiotic

Minoxidol

Rogaine

Hair growth stimulator

Nabilone

Cesamet

Antiemetic, Antinausea

Nadolol + Bendroflumethiazide

Corzide 

Antihypertensive, Beta-adrenergic blocker

Nalidixic Acid 

NegGram

Antimicrobial

Naprosyn

Anaprox

NSAID,* antiarthritic

" "

Naproxen

NSAID,* antiarthritic

Nifedipine

Adalat

Antianginal, Antihypertensive, Calcium channel blocker

" "

Procardia

Antianginal, Antihypertensive, Calcium channel blocker

Norfloxacin

Noroxin

Antibacterial

Nortriptyline

Pamelor 

Antidepressant (tricyclic)

Oxytetracycline

Terramycin

Antibiotic

Perphenazine

Trilafon

Antipsychotic, Tranquilizer

Perphenazine + Amitriptyline

Etrafon 

Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer

" "

Triavil

Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer

Phenylbutazone

Butazolidin

NSAID,*antiarthritic

Phenylpropanolamine + Chlorpheniramine

Ornade Spansule 

Antihistamine, Decongestant

Phenylpropanolamine + Pheniramine + Pyrilamine

Triaminic TR 

Decongestant, Antihistamine

Phenytoin 

Dilantin 

Anticonvulsant

Piroxicam

Feldene

NSAID,* antiarthritic

Polythiazide

Renese

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Prazosin + Polythiazide 

Minizide 

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Prochlorperazine 

Compazine

Antinausea, Anti-vomiting

Promethazine

Phenergan

Antihistamine

Propranolol + Hydrochlorothiazide

Inderide 

Beta-adrenergic blocker, Thiazide diuretic

Protriptyline

Vivactil

Antidepressant (tricyclic)

Pyrazinamide

Pyrazinamide 

Anti-infective, Antituberculosis

Quinethazone

Hydromox 

Antihypertensive, Diuretic

Quinidine Gluconate 

Quinaglute Dura-Tabs

Antiarrhythmic

Quinidine Sulfate

Quindex Extentabs

Antiarrhythmic

" "

Quinora

Antiarrhythmic

Quinine

Quinamm 

Antiprotozoal

Rauwolfia +  Serpentina + Bendroflumethiazide

Rauzide

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Reserpine + Chlorothiazide

Diupres 

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Reserpine + Hydrochlorothiazide

Hydropres 

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

" "

Serpasil-Esidrix

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

Reserpine + Hydralazine + Hydrochlorothiazide

Ser-Ap-Es 

Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic

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 suppressant

Sulfasalazine

Azulfidine

Bowel anti-inflammatory

Sulfinpyrazone

Anturane

Antigout agent, Antihyperuricemic

Sulfasoxazole

Gantrisin 

Antibiotic

Sulfasoxazole + Phenazopyridine

Azo Gantrisin 

Antibiotic, Urinary analgesic

Sulfone

Dapsone

Antileprosy, Antimalarial

Sunlindac

Clinoril (<1%)

NSAID,* antiarthritic

Terfenadine

Seldane

Antihistamine

Tetracycline

Achromycin

Antibiotic

" " 

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