Medication Classes that Increase Sun Sensitivity

Jul 24, 2020 | Clinical Insight

It’s Summertime!

Below shares information on medication classes that increase sun sensitivityThe examples listed are not an all-inclusive list, we have include those most commonly utilized in LTC in each class.

ACE Inhibitors 

  • Benazepril
  • Captopril
  • Enalapril
  • Lisinopril
  • Quinapril
  • Ramipril

Antibiotics, Especially Fluoroquinolones 

  • Ciprofloxacin,
  • Doxycycline,
  • Levofloxacin
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Sulfamethoxazole
  • Tetracycline
  • Trimethoprim

Anticonvulsants 

  • Carbamazepine
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Phenobarbital
  • Pregabalin
  • Primidone
  • Topiramate
  • Valproic Acid/Divalproex Sodium

Antidepressants 

  • Amitriptyline
  • Bupropion
  • Citalopram
  • Desipramine
  • Doxepin
  • Duloxetine
  • Escitalopram
  • Fluoxetine
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Imipramine
  • Nortriptyline
  • Paroxetine
  • Trazodone
  • Venlafaxine

Antihistamines 

  • Cetirizine
  • Dimenhydrinate
  • Diphenhydramine

Anti-Parkinson’s Agents 

  • Amantadine
  • Pramipexole

Antipsychotics 

  • Aripiprazole
  • Clozapine
  • Haloperidol
  • Olanzapine
  • Quetiapine
  • Risperidone
  • Ziprasidone

CCB’s 

  • Diltiazem
  • Nifedipine

Diuretics 

  • Chlorthalidone
  • Furosemide
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Metolazone

Hypnotics 

  • Eszopiclone
  • Zaleplon
  • Zolpidem

Lipid-Lowering Agents 

  • Atorvastatin
  • Fenofibrate
  • Fluvastatin
  • Gemfibrozil
  • Lovastatin
  • Pravastatin
  • Rosuvastatin
  • Simvastatin

NSAIDs 

  • Celecoxib
  • Ibuprofen
  • Meloxicam
  • Naproxen
  • Piroxicam

Proton Pump Inhibitors 

  • Esomeprazole
  • Omeprazole
  • Pantoprazole

Sulfonylureas 

  • Glimepiride
  • Glipizide
  • Glyburide

Miscellaneous

  •  Alendronate
  • Losartan
  • Amiodarone
  • Carvedilol
  • Oxycodone
  • Prochlorperazine
  • Cyclobenzaprine
  • Terbinafine

Medication Classes that Impact Heat Response

Some medication classes can impair the body’s ability to respond appropriately to heat, increasing risk of a heat-related illness, including dehydration.  Signs of heat illness/stroke include headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and muscle cramping which can progress to weakness, high fever, difficulty breathing, lack of sweating, rapid pulse, confusion, collapse, and seizures.  Below shares the impact on the body’s ability to maintain healthy temperature certain medication classes have.  

Medications that can Decrease the Body’s Ability to Sweat and Cool Itself

  • Vasoconstrictors (pseudoephedrine)
  • Antihistamines (diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, cyproheptadine)
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, fluvoxamine, imipramine, nortriptyline)
  • Phenothiazines (chlorpromazine, thioridazine)
  • Anticholinergics (benztropine, dicyclomine) 

Affect the Part of the Brain that Controls How the Body Maintains a Healthy Temperature

  • Antipsychotics (olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, quetiapine,)

Medication Classes that Can Slow Blood Flow to the Skin, Making it Harder to Rid the Skin of Heat

  • Beta blockers (carvedilol, propranolol, metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol, sotalol)
  • Calcium Channel Blockers (diltiazem, verapamil, amlodipine, felodipine)

Class that can Cause Dehydration

  • Diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, bumetanide, metolazone, torsemide, spironolactone, amiloride, chlorthalidone, triamterene) .

Safety First!

Be aware of the weather and limit time outside in higher temperatures, wear your sunscreen, and hydrate!

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Brandi VanValkenburg

Brandi provides personalized care as a pharmacy consultant with HealthDirect's northeastern region.  She has been serving our clients for over 10 years. 

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