Drug-Induced Photosensitivity - a Continuing Diagnostic Challenge

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Drug-induced photosensitivity is a significant side effect impacting the skin.
• Reactions manifest as phototoxic (more common) or photoallergic (less common) responses.
• Numerous drug classes, including NSAIDs, cardiovascular drugs, antibiotics, and newer targeted therapies, are associated with photosensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of considering drug-induced photosensitivity in clinical practice.
• To inform healthcare providers about medications with high photosensitivity potential.
• To advise patients on managing and preventing photosensitive skin reactions.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on drug-induced photosensitivity.
• Identification of drug classes known to cause photosensitive reactions.
• Clinical considerations for patient history taking and management.

Main Results:

• Commonly implicated drugs include NSAIDs, amiodarone, phenothiazines, retinoids, and various antibiotics.
• Emerging photosensitive reactions are linked to targeted anticancer therapies (e.g., BRAF, EGFR, VEGFR inhibitors).
• Unrecognized drug-induced photosensitivity can be problematic, especially during summer months.

Conclusions:

• Physicians must consider all current medications as potential causes of skin reactions.
• Patients using photosensitive drugs require education on sun avoidance and photoprotection.
• Discontinuation of photosensitive drugs is often unnecessary if adequate sun protection is implemented; anti-inflammatory and antiallergic treatments can manage reactions.