Drug-Induced Photosensitivity and the Major Culprits

Photosensitivity is a condition that occurs when sunlight or artificial forms of radiation interact with a medication to produce an adverse cutaneous drug eruption. This adverse reaction may increase the incidence of skin cancer and can be prevented with proper counseling. There are 2 major types of photosensitivity: phototoxic reactions, which occur when an individual is exposed to both high doses of medication and radiation, and photoallergic reactions, which require an immune-mediated response. Several classes of drugs are commonly implicated in photosensitivity reactions, including tetracyclines, floroquinolones, sulfonamides, diuretics, phenothiazine antipsychotics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This review will discuss photosensitivity reactions, the most commonly reported photosensitizing agents, and treatment and prevention measures for the condition.