MANY MEDICATIONS, TOPICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVEN SOME FOODS CAN CAUSE THE SKIN TO BURN OR BREAK OUT IN A RASH WHEN EXPOSED TO ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT. THE CONSEQUENCES CAN RANGE FROM ITCHINESS TO AN UNCOMFORTABLE RASH AND BURNS. IT IS CRITICAL THAT EVERY SALON OWNER POST A CHART OF PHOTOSENSITIVE MEDICATIONS AND AGENTS IN A CONSPICUOUS LOCATION. IF A CLIENT IS TAKING A MEDICATION THAT ISN’T LISTED, HE OR SHE SHOULD CONSULT WITH A PHYSICIAN OR PHARMACIST BEFORE BEING EXPOSED TO ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT—INDOORS OR OUTDOORS.
The most common photosensitizing materials are listed on the
■ Brand names of products should be considered only as examples;
following pages. This is not a list of every material that could have
they do NOT represent all names under which the generic product
photosensitizing effects. Before using the list, you should be aware of
The following list was prepared by Jerome I. Levine, M.S., R.Ph., of the
■ NOT all individuals who use or take these medications will experience
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The list was published under the title
a photosensitive reaction. Also, an individual who experiences a
“Medications That Increase Sensitivity To Light: A 1990 Listing.” The FDA
photosensitive reaction on one occasion will NOT necessarily
has confirmed this list to be the most recent. The mention of commercial
products, their sources or their use in connection with material reported
■ A medication will NOT cause the same degree of skin reaction in
herein is not to be construed as either an actual or implied endorsement of
such products by the Department of Health and Human Services. Reported Photosensitizing Medications Generic Name Brand Name Therapeutic Class
Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate + Sulfisoxazole
FUDR Injectable Antimetabolite, Antineoplastic
Generic Name Brand Name Therapeutic Class
Apresoline-Esidrix Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic
Hydrodiuril Antihypertensive, Thiazide diuretic
Other Photosensitizing Agents Classification Or Use
Mexate & Mexate-AQ Antimetabolite, Antipsoriatic
Bithionol, Chlorhexidine, Hexachlorophene
Calcium cyclamate, Cyclamates, Sodium cyclohexyl-sulfamate
Coal tar and coal tar derivatives for psoriasis
Anthracene, Many phenolic agents, Naphthalene,
Acridine, Eosine, Erythrocine, Fluorescein,
Methylene blue, Methyl violet, Orange red,
Deodorant and bacteriostatic agents in soaps
Halogenated carbanilides, Halogenated phenols,
Methoxyposoralens, Petroleum products, Psoralen
Ethereal oils, Musk ambrette, Oil of bergamot,
Oil of cedar, Oil of citron, Oil of lavender,
Oil of lemon, Oil of lime, Oil of rosemary,
Products
A few products also are known to make the skin more sensitive to UV light, such as halogenated salicylanilides
and related compounds used as antibacterial agents in first-aid creams, acne preparations and deodorant soaps.
Phenylpropanolamine + Pheniramine + Pyrilamine Triaminic TR
Perfumes and colognes containing furocoumarins, compounds from natural products such as plants and fruits,
have natural oils that can sensitize the skin to sunlight. Musk ambrette is used in some aftershaves and
colognes and also has been found to cause skin reaction to UV light.
Some makeup products contain the following dyes, which can cause a reaction under UV light, another
reason to make sure skin is clean before tanning. Certain food products also contain the following dyes. Sunscreens With A Reported Photosensitizing Ingredient
(Eclipse, Block Out, Sea & Ski and others)
(PABA-Pabagel, Pabanol, PreSun and others)
Health Conditions
If your clients have any of the following conditions they should not tan without written consent from their physicians.
(It is very unlikely that any doctor will permit tanning under these circumstances.)
ANTIDEPRESSANTS *HYPOGLYCEMIC SULFONYLUREAS ANTIHISTAMINES PSORALENS SUNSCREENS *benzophenones (Arimis, Clinique) SULFONAMIDES ANTIMICROBIALS AND DERIVATIVES MISCELLANEOUS SULFONYLUREAS ANTIPARASITICS CONTRACEPTIVES, ORAL & ESTROGENS
pyrvinium parnoate (Povan, Vanquin) quinine
gold salts (Myochrysine, Ridaura, Solganal)
ANTIPSYCHOTICS ESTROGENS THIAZIDE DIURETICS
Compazine, Mellaril, Stelazine, Phenergan,
PROGESTOGENS
Note: Items with an asterisk (*) are more likely
to cause photosensitivity reactions. Overall, the
CARDIOVASCULARS
drugs listed above cause reactions in less than
TETRACYCLINES
1% of patients. Tell clients who get an unusual
“sunburn” or allergic or eczematous reaction in
NSAIDs: NON-STEROIDAL
Capoten, Vasotec, Monapril, Accupril, Altace,
skin areas exposed to light to let their physician
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
or pharmacist know about the problem and
to discontinue exposure to UV radiation.
Photosensitivity data from Pharmacist’s Letter. Primary Class TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS Of Medications Responsible For Photosensitizing Reactions (examples by generic name) DIURETICS ANTIHISTAMINES PHENOTHIAZINES
*THIAZIDES, e.g., HydroDiuril, Naturetin
USH&L MANAGED FORMULARY Formulary Alternatives for Common Non-Covered Drugs POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVES The Formulary Alternatives list represents possible options to Not Covered drugs. These alternative medications can generally be prescribedwithout approval from the plan and can be dispensed with normal copayments for members. Therapeutic alternatives may represent a different
The Use of Methadone or Naltrexone for Treatment of Opiate Dependence: An Ethical Approach Dr Ross Colquhoun, Doctor Health Science, Master Applied Science (Neuroscience), Bachelor Science Honors (Psych), Graduate Diploma Counselling and Psychotherapy Clinical Director, Addiction Treatment and Psychology Services, Australia Abstract The policy of Harm Reduction was adapted and imp