There are over 400 drugs that can make the skin super sensitive to sunlight. These drug-induced photosensitivity reactions (sensitivity to UVA rays of the sun or tanning devices) may result in an exaggerated sunburn or, more rarely, an allergic reaction with itching and blister like eruptions on the skin. This is a list of some of the many drugs which can cause sensitivity to light (lasers are light). It is not an exhaustive list. For a more detailed list click here.
Acne Meds
lsotretinoin
(Accutane)
Tretinoin (Retin-A)
Anticancer
Chlorambucil
Cyclophosphamide
Dacarbazine
Fluorouacil
Flutamide
Mercaptopurine
Methotrexate
Procarbazine
Thioguanine
Vinblastine
Antidepressants
Amitriptyline
Amoxapine
Clomipramine
Doxepin
Imipramine
lsocarboxazid
Maprotiline
Phenelzine
Protriptyline
Trazadone
Trimipramine
Antiepileptics
Sedative, Muscle
Relaxants
Carbamazepine
Cyclobenzaprine
Diazepam
Meprobamate
Phenobarbitol
Phenytoin
Antihistamines
Azatadine
Clemastine
Diphenhydramine
Terfenadine
Tripelennamine
Antihypertensives
Captopril
Dilitiazem
Methyldopa
Minoxidil
Nifedipine
Antimicrobials
Ciprofloxacin
Clofazimine
Dapsone
Demeclocycline
Doxycycline
Enoxacine
Flucytosine
Griseafulvin
Ketoconazole
Lomefloxacine
Methacycline
Minocycline
Nalidixic acid
Narfloxacin
Ofloxacin
Oxytetracycline
Pyrazinamide
Sulfa drugs
(Bactrim, Septra,
Tetracycline)
Antiparasitics
Bithionol
Chloroquine
Pyruvinium
pamoate
Quinine
Thiabendazole
Antipsychotics
Chlorpromazine
Chlorprothixene
Fluphenazine
Haloperidol
Perphenazine
Prochlorperazine
Promethazine
Thioridazine
Thiothixane
Trifluoperazine
Thioflupromazine
Trimeprazine
Cardiovascular
Amiodarone
Atenolol
Captopril
Diltiazem
Disopyramide
Nifedipine
Propranolol
Quinidine
gluconate
Quinidine sulfate
Verapamil
Diuretics
Acetazolaminde
Amiloride
Bendroflumethiazide
Benzthiazide
Chlorothiazide
Furosemide
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydro flumethiazide
Methyclothiazide
Metalazone
Polythiazide
Quinethazone
Trichlormethia-zide
Hypoglycemics
Acetohexamide
Chlorpropamide
Glipizide
Tolazamide
Tolbutamide
NSAIDS
Diclofenac
Fenoprofen
Flurbiprofen
Indomethacin
Ketoprofen
Meclofenamate
Naproxen
Phenylbutazone
Piroxicam
Sulindac
Others
Bergamot oil
Oils of citron,
lavender, lime,
sandalwood
Benzocaine
Clofibrate
Oral contraceptive
Etretinate
Gold salts
Hexachlorophene
Lovastatin
St John’s Wort
Gmethylcoumarin
(used in perfumes,
lotions, etc)