do statins cause sun sensitivity

Full Answer

Why do my medications make me more sensitive to the Sun?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) points out that some medications contain ingredients that cause photosensitivity, or a chemically-induced change in the skin that can make you more sensitive to sunlight.

What are the side effects of statins?

Statins block a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol. This causes your liver to remove cholesterol from your blood. If you think you're experiencing side effects from statins, don't just stop taking the pills.

Can statins cause high blood sugar?

The risk is small but important enough that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning on statin labels regarding blood glucose levels and diabetes. The increase generally occurs when blood sugar levels are already higher than normal and fall in the prediabetes or diabetes range when you begin taking a statin.

Can a person become intolerant to statins?

Often people treated with statins respond well, and their cholesterol levels lower. In other instances, a person can develop statin intolerance, which can be dangerous. What are the symptoms of statin intolerance?

Can cholesterol medicine make you sensitive to the sun?

That's because several common over-the-counter and prescription drugs — including antihistamines, cholesterol-lowering drugs, pain relievers, diabetes medications and antibiotics — can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, a condition called photosensitivity.

What medication increases sun sensitivity?

Primary Classes of Medications Responsible for Photosensitizing ReactionsAntihistamines.Coal Tar and Derivatives.Contraceptives, Oral and Estrogens.Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.Phenothiazines.Psoralens.Sulfonamides.Sulfonylureas.More items...•

Should you stay out of the sun when taking statins?

Antifungals, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, oral contraceptives, sulfonylurea drugs for diabetes, statins, and tricyclic antidepressants also increase the chance of getting a nasty burn, according to the FDA. Popular OTC medications can also cause severe sunburn.

Do statin drugs cause photosensitivity?

Atorvastatin calcium (ATV) is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs worldwide. Among the adverse effects observed for this lipid-lowering agent, clinical cases of cutaneous adverse reactions have been reported and associated with photosensitivity disorders.

What medications do you have to avoid the sun?

There are certain types of medicines that can cause sensitivity to the sun. Some of these include: Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, trimethoprim)...The Sun and Your Medicinetime of day.season.geographic location.altitude, and.weather conditions (cloudy day versus clear)

Why am I suddenly allergic to the sun?

Research shows that, over time, repeated exposure to UV radiation can cause the body to develop an immune response to the sun, similar to environmental pollen and hay fever. This is because sun exposure can produce changes in skin cells that the body's immune system may identify as being foreign, or abnormal antigens.

Is atorvastatin a photosensitive drug?

Atorvastatin was the most commonly used antihyperlipidemic by our patients, and was responsible for photosensitivity reactions which manifested as dermatitis. Erythema was also reported in patients taking simvastatin. No reactions were observed in patients on rosuvastatin.

Can statins affect body temperature?

Only few attention has been paid to its various forms of appearance. We are reporting on a so far unknown flu-like response on statins with very severe symptoms of exhaustion, weakness, aching muscles and joints elevated acute phase response markers and sometimes even subfebrile body temperature.

Which medication should you avoid taking when you know you will be in direct sunlight for periods of time?

There are dozens of medications and over-the-counter drugs that can cause sun sensitivity. Some of the most common include: Antibiotics: doxycycline, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, trimethoprim. Antidepressants: doxepin (Sinequan); and other tricyclics; St.

How can I stop being sensitive to the sun?

If you have a sun allergy or an increased sensitivity to the sun, you can help prevent a reaction by taking these steps:Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun's rays are strongest during these hours. ... Avoid sudden exposure to lots of sunlight. ... Wear sunglasses and protective clothing. ... Apply sunscreen.More items...

Does atorvastatin react with sunlight?

For example, some patients taking atorvastatin have reported skin sensitivity to the sun. Previous work with atorvastatin shows that exposing an aqueous solution of the drug to natural sunlight oxidizes its pyrrole ring, forming a phenanthrene derivative.

How do you treat sun sensitivity?

The most effective treatment for sun allergy is avoiding sun exposure. For people who cannot avoid the sun or who have more intense reactions, certain treatments may help: Antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine. Corticosteroids such as prednisone.

What blood pressure medications cause sun sensitivity?

Blood-pressure medications that are often referred to as "water pills", such as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide (also known by the brand name of Lasix), can make your skin more likely to experience sun sensitivity.

What antidepressants cause sun sensitivity?

Drugs that can increase your sensitivity to heat include (though aren't limited to): Antidepressants: tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Do all blood pressure meds cause sun sensitivity?

Ask your doctor about whether your blood pressure medications can make you sun-sensitive. There are quite literally hundreds of different medications to treat high blood pressure, but many commonly prescribed hypertension drugs can make your skin more sensitive to the sun's rays.

What antihistamines cause sun sensitivity?

Some of the most common include:Antibiotics: doxycycline, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, trimethoprim.Antidepressants: doxepin (Sinequan); and other tricyclics; St. ... Antifungals: griseofulvin.Antihistamine: promethazine, diphenhydramine.More items...

What Are Statin Side Effects?

One of the most common complaints of people taking statins is muscle pain. You may feel this pain as a soreness, tiredness or weakness in your musc...

Who's at Risk of Developing Statin Side Effects?

Not everyone who takes a statin will have side effects, but some people may be at a greater risk than are others. Risk factors include: 1. Taking m...

Drugs and Food That Interact With Statins

Grapefruit juice contains a chemical that can interfere with the enzymes that break down (metabolize) the statins in your digestive system. While y...

What Causes Statin Side Effects?

It's unclear what causes statin side effects, especially muscle pain.Statins work by slowing your body's production of cholesterol. Your body produ...

How to Relieve Statin Side Effects

To relieve statin side effects, your doctor may recommend several options. Discuss these steps with your doctor before trying them: 1. Take a brief...

Weigh The Risks and Benefits

Although statin side effects can be annoying, consider the benefits of taking a statin before you decide to stop taking your medication. Remember t...

What is sun sensitizing drug?

Sun-sensitizing drugs are drugs that have side effects when people taking them are exposed to the sun. Some reactions are caused by exposure to the sun's UVB or "short" waves, but most are caused by UVA or "long" wave exposure.

What are the two types of sun-sensitizing drug reactions?

There are two main types of sun-sensitizing drug reactions. They are: Photoallergy. In this case, problems occur when skin is exposed to the sun after certain medicines or compounds are applied to the skin's surface. The ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun causes a structural change in the drug.

How does UV light affect the body?

It can occur when skin is exposed to the sun after certain medications are injected, taken orally, or applied to the skin. The drug absorbs the UV light, then releases it into the skin, causing cell death. Within a few days, symptoms appear on the exposed areas of the body.

Can sunscreen help with sunburn?

Can sunscreen help? Absolutely. It will lessen the impact of sun exposure. But some ingredients in sunscreens are potentially photosensitizing, so in rare circumstances, it could worsen symptoms.

Can HIV cause sun exposure?

People with HIV are among the most likely group to experience sun sensitivity to drugs. Sun-sensitizing drugs can aggravate existing skin conditions, including eczema and herpes, and may inflame scar tissue. Sun exposure can also worsen or even precipitate autoimmune disorders, such as lupus.

What is photosensitivity skin?

Photosensitivity is a fairly common skin reaction that is sparked by taking medicines which interact with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. It happened to me once and luckily the red burning rash and tingling only affected my hands.

How long did it take to get sun exposure while hiking?

It took only 2 hours of sun exposure on a shady trail while hiking in California. Still, it rendered me out of writing commission for a few days. The big problem is that photosensitivity reactions are highly unpredictable. Nothing may happen the first three times you go swimming, but then the next time it’s dreadful.

What is the name of the drug that causes lupus?

Any drug containing HCTZ is a potential offender. Anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs: Ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen and celecoxib.

Does Accutane cause photosensitivity?

Accutane and Retin A: These are used to improve skin, so it’s ironic it can have a photosensitivity reaction, but they’re biggies.

How to prevent statin side effects?

Try coenzyme Q10 supplements. Coenzyme Q10 supplements may help prevent statin side effects in some people, though more studies are needed to determine any benefits of taking it. Talk to your doctor first to make sure the supplement won't interact with any of your other medications.

What drugs interact with statins?

Some drugs that may interact with statins and increase your risk of side effects include: Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), a medication for irregular heart rhythms. Gemfibrozil (Lopid), another variety of cholesterol drug.

Can statins cause heart attacks?

Having too much cholesterol in your blood increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Statins block a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol. This causes your liver to remove cholesterol from your blood. If you think you're experiencing side effects from statins, don't just stop taking the pills.

Does statin help with heart attack?

Sign up now. Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks. Statins are effective at lowering cholesterol and protecting against a heart attack and stroke, although they may lead to side effects for some people. By Mayo Clinic Staff.

Can statins cause liver damage?

While statins are highly effective and safe for most people, they have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems and mental fuzziness in some people who take them and may rarely cause liver damage.

Do statins increase blood sugar?

Statins prevent heart attacks in people with diabetes, so the relevance of the mild increase in sugar values with statins observed in some people is unclear. The benefit of taking statins likely outweighs the small risk to have the blood sugar level go up. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Can statins cause diabetes?

It's possible your blood sugar ( blood glucose) level may increase when you take a statin, which may lead to developing type 2 diabetes. The risk is small but important enough that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning on statin labels regarding blood glucose levels and diabetes.

What is the most common type of photosensitivity from medications?

Phototoxicity is the most common type of photosensitivity from medications. “For the major players that interact with the sun and cause what’s called phototoxicity, those [effects] should be listed on the bottle or in the patient information," Megan Rech, PharmD, an emergency medicine clinical pharmacist at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, tells Health. The effects can range from skin irritations to a reduced ability to sweat or an increased amount of fluid lost through urine.

Why do antidepressants cause heat?

Tricyclic antidepressants may cause problems in hot weather because they "prevent the area in your brain that regulates heat response from knowing you’re overheating, ” Rech explains. “They can also decrease sweating, which leads to a decrease in heat loss.”.

What is phototoxicity in medicine?

Phototoxicity is the most common type of photosensitivity from medications. “For the major players that interact with the sun and cause what’s called phototoxicity, those [effects] should be listed on the bottle or in the patient information," Megan Rech, PharmD, an emergency medicine clinical pharmacist at Loyola University Medical Center in ...

Can medications cause photosensitivity?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) points out that some medications contain ingredients that cause photosensitivity , or a chemically-induced change in the skin that can make you more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitivity also breaks down into two separate types: photoallergy (an allergic reaction of the skin that can occur up to several days after exposure) and phototoxicity (an irritation of the skin which can occur within a few hours).

Can acne cause UV damage?

Acne treatments, antibiotics, and antidepressants can all make you more susceptible to UV damage and overheating.

Can you take clonidine with a sunburn?

Significant sun exposure can amplify the effect of transdermal patches (such as Fentanyl, a powerful pain reliever, or Clonidine, which lowers blood pressure) that deliver medication directly through the skin. When you get a sunburn, the blood vessels in the surface of your skin dilate, explains Rech, and that can lead to increased absorption of your meds. So if you’re wearing a patch, it's a good idea to consider long sleeves.

Does Benadryl cause sweating?

Allergy medications. Some users find that oral antihistamines like diphenydramine (found in products like Benadryl and Dramamine) reduce their ability to sweat. In extreme cases, as the Consumer Reports medical advisory board noted, the overheating that can result leads to cramps, exhaustion, and even heat stroke.

What medications cause sun sensitivity?

Some of these include: Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, trimethoprim) Antifungals (flucytosine, griseofulvin, voricanozole) Antihistamines (cetirizine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, promethazine, cyproheptadine)

How to avoid sunburn?

If you have concerns about developing a reaction, try to reduce your risk: 1 When outside, seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. – some organizations recommend as late as 4:00 p.m. Keep in mind that the sun’s rays may be stronger when reflected off water, sand and snow. 2 Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats to limit sun exposure. 3 Use a broad sunscreen regularly and as directed. Broad-spectrum sunscreens provide protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. An SPF 15 is the minimum number needed to provide measurable protection; however, a sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or higher is recommended. Rarely, some sunscreen ingredients can cause photosensitivity themselves.

What is the SPF of sunscreen?

SPF is a measure of how much sunlight (UV radiation) is needed to develop sunburn after a sunscreen has been applied, compared to the amount of UV radiation required to develop sunburn on unprotected skin. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection is from UV radiation, and so the greater the sunburn protection.

What is the difference between photosensitivity and phototoxicity?

It can be triggered by products applied to the skin or medicines taken by mouth or injected. There are two types of photosensitivity – photoallergy and phototoxicity. Photoallergy is an allergic reaction of the skin and may not occur until several days after sun exposure. Phototoxicity, which is more common, is an irritation ...

What is the minimum SPF for a sunblock?

An SPF 15 is the minimum number needed to provide measurable protection; however, a sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or higher is recommended. Rarely, some sunscreen ingredients can cause photosensitivity themselves.

What to do if you have photosensitivity?

Taking a few precautions can help limit your risk of photosensitivity and keep the sun shining on your fun.

What is the most common type of sun exposure?

Phototoxicity, which is more common, is an irritation of the skin and can occur within a few hours of sun exposure. Both types of photosensitivity occur after exposure to ultraviolet light – either natural sunlight or artificial light, such as a tanning booth. There are certain types of medicines that can cause sensitivity to the sun.

What medications interact with sunlight?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) During the sunny months, it is extremely important to ask your loved one’s doctor or pharmacist how each of their medications (new and old) may interact with sunlight.

Why is summer bad for seniors?

The heat of summer may cause greater problems for seniors since older adults sweat less and tend to have a reduced ability to regulate body temperature. The addition of certain medications can further weaken or inhibit the body’s normal physiological response to heat and humidity.

What medications can cause fluid loss in seniors?

Other medications that contribute to fluid loss include laxatives, chemotherapy drugs and antihistamines. Dehydration may present as lightheadedness and fatigue.

Can you get sunburn from taking a medication?

Individuals who take certain topical, oral and injection medications can experience phototoxic or photoallergic reactions when they are out in the sun. Symptoms include sunburn-like skin inflammation, rash and eczema.

What is the most common side effect of statins?

There are different symptoms you may experience. The most common is muscle pains or cramps, also called myalgias. You may experience muscle inflammation and an elevated marker of muscle injury called creatine kinase.

How to test for statin side effects?

conduct genetic tests to see if you are genetically prone to side effects from statins. conduct a muscle biopsy to remove a small amount of muscle for testing. require a symptom questionnaire, where you describe your symptoms. conduct a muscle strength test to evaluate the strength of your muscles.

How do statins work?

Statins are commonly prescribed drugs used to treat high cholesterol. They work by blocking the enzyme that makes cholesterol in the body. Often people treated with statins respond well, and their cholesterol levels lower. In other instances, a person can develop statin intolerance, which can be dangerous.

Can you change which statin you are taking?

Your doctor may change which statin you’re taking. There are several statin options, and you may have a better reaction with a different type. Your doctor may also prescribe non-statin cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Can statins cause problems?

Many statin problems are related to dosage. Your doctor may reduce the amount you are taking to see if it reduces your symptoms. They may prescribe a lower dosage or even decrease the number of days per week you take your medicine.

Can statins cause side effects?

You should talk to your doctor if you think you’re experiencing statin side effects. A different medication you’re taking could cause side effects could cause or indicate an underlying condition. Resolving your symptoms may be as simple as switching your medicines.

Is cholesterol bad for you?

Cholesterol is not bad for you. The body produces it naturally. But when the body gets too much cholesterol from your diet it becomes dangerous. There are no longer specific levels of “good” and “bad” cholesterol that everyone should have to be considered healthy.

What is photosensitivity in the sun?

What Is Photosensitivity? Photosensitivity, also called sun allergy, is the result of an immune system reaction that occurs in the skin following sun exposure. Although, the exact mechanism is undetermined regarding these reactions, it’s supposed that the immune system recognizes certain components of the skin as foreign or non-self.

What is the most common type of sun allergy?

Polymorphic light eruption is the most common type of sun allergy. The condition can have a genetic component or be caused by medications, particularly drugs that are used topically. Negative reactions occur from exposure to UV radiation, which alters the structure of the chemicals in particular medications.

What are the two types of photosensitivity?

There are two types of photosensitivity: photo-toxicity and photo-allergy. Photo-toxicity is a chemically-induced irritation of the skin following sun exposure that doesn’t involve the immune system. The reaction it induces resembles an exaggerated sunburn, which is caused by a chemical absorbing into the skin topically, ...

What wavelength of light is most prone to photosensitivity?

Certain people are more prone to photosensitivity than others. Wavelengths that fall within the 320-400 nm range (UVA radiation) are more apt to initiate drug-induced photosensitivity reactions. To a lesser degree, UVB radiation, in the 290-320 nm range, can also cause skin reactions. Sunlight in this range is responsible for sunburn, and non-melanoma skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma.

How long does it take for photosensitivity to manifest?

Reactions can be triggered by brief moments in the sun, and commonly present within 24 hours of exposure, but may take several days of continuous sun exposure to manifest.

Does UVA cause skin cancer?

UVA radiation penetrates deeply into the dermis of the skin, causing photo-aging, cellular DNA damage, and immune-suppression.

Can photo toxicity be caused by exposure to sunlight?

This causes an allergic reaction within the skin that produces the symptoms, which unlike photo-toxicity, can spread to areas that haven’t been exposed to sunlight. Mild cases of photo-allergy often resolve without treatment, with more severe cases being treated with steroid pills or creams.