The 16 common drugs in your medicine cabinet that increase your risk of agonising sunburn revealed

Scottish Sun

13-05-2025

Experts warn that dozens of prescription and over-the-counter medications can make you more sensitive to the sun and increase your chances of skin cancer
HOT TOPIC The 16 common drugs in your medicine cabinet that increase your risk of agonising sunburn revealed
THE sun is finally shining and many of us will be making a beeline for the beach or our local park.
But thousands of Brits need to take extra care when outdoors this summer as their medication might make them more prone to sunburn.
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Some medications can make you more susceptible to sunburn
Credit: Getty
Dozens of drugs - both prescription and over-the-counter - can increase what's known as photosensitivity.
In the short term, this could mean sore, red, blistered skin that can make it difficult to sleep.
But longer term, frequent sunburn means you are at increased risk of skin cancer - which kills six people in the UK every day.
Dr Chun Tang, a GP at Pall Mall, tells Sun Health: "People might be surprised to hear that some everyday medicines can make skin extra sensitive to sunlight.
"It's called photosensitivity, and it means your skin reacts more strongly to UV rays, often ending in a sunburn that arrives quicker and hits harder than usual.
"A few common culprits include antibiotics like doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, both often prescribed for infections.
"Then there are anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and naproxen, diuretics (water tablets used for blood pressure), and even some acne treatments like isotretinoin (formerly Roaccutane).
"Older antidepressants such as amitriptyline can also increase your sun sensitivity.
"These meds are perfectly safe when taken as prescribed, but when it's a sunny day, suddenly your skin is on high alert.
"Some reactions look and feel like severe sunburn (that's called phototoxicity), while others show up more like a rash (which is known as photo allergy).
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"Either way, it's not much fun, especially if you weren't expecting it."
Also among the most common potentially problematic medicines are oral contraceptives - taken by almost a third of women in the UK.
Antihistamines, antifungals, arthritis medicines, chemotherapy and immunosuppressants can also cause photosensitivity.
No matter the drug, even short periods of sun exposure can trigger symptoms when the skin is photosensitive.
Older adults, who are more likely to be taking multiple medications, need to be especially mindful
Dr Chun Tang
Dr Tang says: "The most obvious side effect is that you burn far faster than you normally would, sometimes after just 10 or 15 minutes in the sun.
"I don't mean just a gentle pink glow, we're talking red, sore, blistered skin that can peel and take days to calm down.
"You might also notice itchy rashes, changes in skin colour, or patches of irritation that appear on parts of the body you didn't think had even seen the sun.
"Some of these reactions can be mistaken for heat rash or even eczema, so if something doesn't look quite right, it's worth asking your GP or popping into your local pharmacy for advice."
The drugs that increase your risk of sunburn Acne medicines - isotretinoin Antibiotics - doxycycline and other tetracycline drugs, fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, levofloxacin, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, dapsone Antidepressants - fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, amitriptyline, doxepin, St. John's wort Antifungals - griseofulvin, voriconazole, flucytosine Antihistamines - promethazine, diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine, cyproheptadine Antipsychotics - chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, thioridazine, thiothixene, prochlorperazine
Arthritis drugs - leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine
Blood pressure drugs - hydrochlorothiazide, diltiazem, furosemide , bumetanide Chemotherapy Cholesterol drugs - simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin Diabetes medications - sulfonylureas Heart medications - amiodarone, diltiazem, nifedipine Immunosuppressants - cyclosporine Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - celecoxib, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, piroxicam, diclofenac Oral contraceptives and oestrogens Sulfonamides - sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole
It's important to note that not everyone who takes any of these medications will be more sensitive to the sun.
But we are all at risk, and some of us will be more prone to complications than others.
"Some of us are naturally more sun-sensitive than others," Dr Tang says.
"If you're fair-skinned, you'll already know you need to be careful in the sun, and medications that increase photosensitivity can make it even trickier.
"Older adults, who are more likely to be taking multiple medications, also need to be especially mindful.
"It's not just about age or skin tone though; if you spend lots of time outside for work, exercise, or gardening, the risk goes up too.
"If you're starting a new medicine, always check the patient info leaflet, or speak with your pharmacist to see if sun sensitivity is a known issue.
"The good news is it's easy to protect yourself. High-factor sunscreen, hats, and covering up during peak sun hours (usually 11am to 3pm) can make all the difference, so you can enjoy the sunshine."
As with all medications, if you have a reaction, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.