Light sensitive drugs / medicines: List

An individual who has been photosensitized may develop a rash, a sunburn, or another adverse effect from exposure to light

Rakesh Dahiya

January 31, 2023

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Rakesh Dahiya

SDCO Cum Licensing Authority |
Food and Drugs Administration, (FDA) Haryana, India. |
Email ID: dahiya19@yahoo.com

Light sensitive drugs / medicines: List

Many medications and supplements contain ingredients that may cause photosensitivity, which is defined as a chemically induced change in the skin that makes an individual unusually sensitive to light.

An individual who has been photosensitized may develop a rash, a sunburn, or another adverse effect from exposure to light of intensity or duration that would normally not affect that individual.

We have provided a list of drugs / medicines that are sensitive to light.

Classes of Drugs / Medicines sensitive to light

Antihistamines
Contraceptives, Oral and Estrogens
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Phenothiazines
Psoralens
Sulfonamides
Sulfonylureas
Thiazide Diuretics
Tetracyclines
Tricyclic Antidepressants

Here are some examples

1. Antihistamines

Astemizole	Azatadine	Brompheniramine
Buclizine	Carbinoxamine	Chlorpheniramine
Clemastine	Cyclizine	Cyproheptadine
Dexchlorpheniramine	Dimenhydrinate	Diphenhydramine
Diphenylpyraline	Doxylamine	Hydroxyzine
Meclizine	Methapyrilene	Methdilazine
Orphenadrine	Pheniramine	Promethazine
Pyrilamine	Terfenadine	Trimeprazine
Tripelennamine	Tripolidine

2. Contraceptives, Estrogens & Progestogens

Estrogens
Chlorotrianisene	Diethylstilbestrol	Estradiol
Estrogens, conjugated	Estrogens, esterified	Estopipate
Progestogens
Ethinyl estradiol	Medroxyprogesterone	Megestrol
Norethindrone	Norgestrel	Quinestrol

3. NSAID: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Diclofenac	Diflunisal	Fenoprofen
Flurbiprofen	Ibuprofen	Ketoprofen
Meclofenamate	Naproxen	Phenylbutazone
Piroxicam	Sulindac	Suprofen
Tolmetin

4. Phenothiazines (major tranquilizers, anti-emetics)

Acetophenazine	Butaperazine	Carphenazine
Chlorpromazine	Ethoproprazine	Fluphenazine
Mesoridazine	Methdilazine	Methotrimeprazine
Perphenazine	Piperacetazine	Prochlororperazine
Promazine	Promethazine	Propiomazine
Thiethylperazine	Thioridazine	Trifluoperazine
Triflupromazine	Trimeprazine

5. Psoralens

Methozsalen

Triozsalen

6. Sulfonamides (“sulfa” drugs, antimicrobials, anti-infectives)

Acetazolamide	Sulfacytine	Sulfadiazine
Sulfadoxine	Sulfamethizole	Sulfamethoxazole
Sulfasalazine	Sulfapyrazone	Sulfisoxazole

7. Sulfonylureas (oral anti-diabetics, hypoglycemics)

Acetohexamide	Chlorpropamide	Glipizide
Glyburide	Tolazamide	Tolbutamide

8. Thiazide Diuretics (“water-pills”)

Bendroflumethiazide	Benzthiazide	Chlorothiazide
Chlorothalidone	Cyclothiazide	Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydroflumethiazide	Methyclothiazide	Ploythiazide
Trichlormethiazide

9. Tetracyclines (antibiotics, anti-infectives)

Chlortetracycline	Demeclocycline	Doxycycline
Methacycline	Minocycline	Oxytetracycline
Tetracycline

10. Tricyclic Antidepressants

Amitriptyline	Amoxapine	Desipramine
Doxepin	Imipramine	Nortriptyline
Protyiptyline	Trimipramine

Alphabetical list of light-sensitive drugs / medicines by generic name

A

Generic Name	Therapeutic use
Acetazolamide	Anticonvulsant Antiglaucoma Diuretic
Amiloride + Hydrochlorothizide	Antiphyertensive Thiazide diuretic
Amiodarone	Antiarrhythmic
Amitriptyline	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
Amitriptyline	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
Amoxapine	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
Astemizole	Antihistamine
Atenolol + Chlorthalidone	Beta-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Auranofin	Antiarthritic Gold Compound
Azatadine	Antihistamine
Azatidine + Pseudoephedrine	Antihistamine Decongestant

B

Bendroflumethiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Benzthiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Bromodiphenhydramine	Antihistamine
Brompheniramine	Antihistamine

C

Captopril	Antihypertensive
Captopril + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Carbamazepine	Analgesic Anticonvulsant
Chlorodiazepoxide + Amitriptyline	Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer
Chlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Chlorpheniramine	Antihistamine
Chlorpheniramine + D-Pseudoephedrine	Antihistamine Decongestant
Chlorpheniramine + Phenylpropanolamine	Antihistamine Decongestant
Chlorpromazine	Antiemetic Tranquilizer

Chlorpropamide	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Chlorprothixene	Antiemetic Tranquilizer
Chlorthalidone	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Chlorthalidone	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Chlorthalidone + Reserpine	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Chlorthalidone + Reserpine	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Ciprofloxacin	Anti-infective
Clemastine	Antihistamine
Clofazime	Antibacterial
Clonidine + Chlorthalidone	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Coal tar	Antipsoriatic Eczema
Coal tar	Antipsoriatic Eczema
Contraceptive, oral	Birth control pill Female Sex hormone
Cromolyn	Antiasthmatic
Cyclobenzaprine	Antihistamine Antiserotonergic

D

Dacarbazine	Anti-Hodgkin’s disease Antimetabolite
Danazol	Gonadotropin inhibitor
Demeclocycline	Antibiotic
Desipramine	Antidepressant (trycyclic)
Desipramine	Antidepressant (trycyclic)
Dexchlorpheniramine	Antihistamine
Diclofenac	NSAID, antiarthritic
Diflunisal	NSAID, antiarthritic
Diltiazem	Antianginal Antihypertensive Calcium channel blocker
Diphenhydramine	Antihistamine
Diphenylpyraline	Antihistamine
Doxepin	Antidepressant (trycyclic)
Doxycycline	Antibiotic
Doxycycline Hyclate	Antibiotic

E

Enalapril	Antihypertensive
Enalapril + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate + Sulfisoxazole	Antibiotic
Estrogens	Female sex hormone
Estrogens	Female sex hormone
Ethionamide	Anti-infective Antituberculosis
Etretinate	Antipsoriatic

F

Floxuridine	Antimetabolite Antineoplastic
Flucytosine	Antifungal
Fluorouracil	Antineoplastic
Fluorouracil	Antineoplastic
Fluorouracil	Antineoplastic
Fluphenzine	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Fluphenzine	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Flurbiprofen	NSAID, antiarthritic
Flutamide	Antimetastic (prostatic carcinoma)
Furosemide	Antihypertensive Diuretic

G

Gentamicin	Antibiotic
Glipizide	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Glyburide	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Glyburide	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Gold Salts (Compounds)	Antiarthritic Gold Compound
Gold Sodium Thiomalate	Antiarthritic Gold Compound
Griseofulvin	Antibiotic Antifungal
Griseofulvin	Antibiotic Antifungal
Guanethidine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic

H

Haloperidol	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Hexachlorophene	Antibacterial
Hydralazine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydralazine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide + Deserpidine	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide + Triamterene	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide + Triamterene	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydroflumethiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydroflumethiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Hydroflumethiazide + Reserpine	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic

I

Ibuprofen	NSAID, antiarthritic
Ibuprofen	NSAID, antiarthritic
Imipramine	Antidepressant (tricyclic)
Indapamide	Antihypertensive Diuretic
Interferon ALFA-2B	Antiviral agent
Isocarboxazid	Antidepressant MAO inhibitor
Isotretinoin	Antiacne

K

Ketoprofen

NSAID, antiarthritic

L

Labetalol	Antihypertensive Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker
Labetalol + Hydrochlorothiazide	Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Labetalol + Hydrochlorothiazide	Beta- and alpha-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Lisinopril + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Lisinopril + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Lovastatin	Anticholesterol

M

Maprotiline	Antidepressant
Meperidine + Promethiazine	Narcotic analgesic
Mesoridazine	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Methacycline	Antibiotic
Methazolamide	Antiglaucoma
Methdilazine	Antihistamine Antipruritic
Methotrexate	Antimetabolite Antipsoriatic
Methotrexate	Antimetabolite Antipsoriatic
Methotrexate	Antimetabolite Antipsoriatic
Methyclothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyclothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyclothiazide + Deserpidine	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyclothiazide + Reserpine	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyldopa + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Methyldopa + Chlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Metolazone	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Metolazone	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Metolazone	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Metoprolol + Hyrdochlorothiazide	Beta-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Minocycline	Antibiotic
Minoxidol	Hair growth stimulator

N

Nabilone	Antiemetic Antinausea
Nadolol + Bendroflumethiazide	Antihypertensive Beta-adrenergic blocker
Nalidixic Acid	Antimicrobial
Naprosyn	NSAID, Antiarthritic
Naprosyn	NSAID, Antiarthritic
Nifedipine	Antianginal Antihypertensive Calcium channel blocker
Nifedipine	Antianginal Antihypertensive Calcium channel blocker
Norfloxacin	Antibacterial
Nortriptyline	Antidepressant (tricyclic)

O

Oxytetracycline

Antibiotic

P

Perphenazine	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Perphenazine + Amitriptyline	Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer
Perphenazine + Amitriptyline	Antidepressant (tricyclic) Tranquilizer
Phenylbutazone	NSAID, Antiarthritic
Phenylpropanolamine + Chlorpheniramine	Antihistamine Decongestant
Phenylpropanolamine + Pheniramine + Pyrilamine	Antihistamine Decongestant
Phenytoin	Anticonvulsant
Piroxicam	NSAID, Antiarthritic
Polythiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Prazosin + Polythiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide diuretic
Prochlorperazine	Antinausea Anti-vomiting
Promethazine	Antihistamine
Propranolol + Hydrochlorothiazide	Beta-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Protriptyline	Antidepressant (Trycyclic)
Pyrazinamide	Anti-infective Antituberculosis

Q

Quinethazone	Antihypertensive Diuretic
Quinidine Gluconate	Antiarrhythmic
Quinidine Sulfate	Antiarrhythmic
Quinidine Sulfate	Antiarrhythmic
Quinine	Antiprotozoal

R

Rauwolfia serpentina + Bendroflumethizide	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Reserpine + Chlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Reserpine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Reserpine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Reserpine + Hydralazine + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic

S

Selegiline	Anti-Parkinsonism MAO inhibitor
Spironolactone + Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive Thiazide Diuretic
Sulfacytine	Antibiotic
Sulfadoxine + Pyrimethamine	Antimalarial Antiprotozoal
Sulfamethizole + Phenazopyridine	Urinary analgesic Antibiotic
Sulfamethoxazole	Antibiotic
Sulfamethoxazole + Phenazopyridine	Antibiotic Urinary analgesic
Sulfapyridine	Dermatitis herpetiformis suppresant
Sulfasalazine	Bowel anti-inflammatory
Sulfinpyrazone	Antigout agent Antihypertensive
Sulfasoxazole	Antibiotic
Sulfasoxazole + Phenazopyridine	Antibiotic Urinary analgesic
Sulfone	Antileprosy Antimalarial
Sulindac	NSAID, antiarthritic

T

Terfenadine	Antihistamine
Tetracycline	Antibiotic
Tetracycline	Antibiotic
Thioridazine	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Thiothixene	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Timolol + Hydrochlorothiazide	Beta-adrenergic blocker Thiazide diuretic
Tolazamide	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Tolbutamide	Antidiabetic (oral) Sulfonylurea
Tretinoin	Antiacne (topical)
Triamterene	Antihypertensive Diuretic
Trifluoperazine	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Triflupromazine	Antiemetic Antipsychotic
Trimeprazine	Antipsychotic Tranquilizer
Trimethoprim	Antibiotic
Trimethoprim + Sulfamethoxazole	Antibiotic
Trimethoprim + Sulfamethoxazole	Antibiotic
Trimipramine	Antidepressant (trycyclic)
Tripelennamine	Antihistamine
Triprolidine	Antihistamine
Triprolidine + Pseudoephedrine	Antihistamine Decongestant

V

Vinblastine

Antieoplastic

Source: Website of Wiscosin Department of Health Services

Source of data: Medications that Increase Sensitivity to Light: A 1990 Listing, prepared by Jerome I. Levine, M.S., R.Ph., 12/90, US Dept of Health and Human Services, FDA 91-8280.

Compiled by:
Rakesh Dahiya, SDCO cum Licensing Authority, FDA Haryana

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