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J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2021 Jan;19(1):19-29

Disease Modeling and Organoid Technology (DMOT) research group, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

Drug-induced photosensitivity, the development of phototoxic or photoallergic reactions due to pharmaceuticals and subsequent exposure to ultraviolet or visible light, is an adverse effect of growing interest. This is illustrated by the broad spectrum of recent investigations on the topic, ranging from molecular mechanisms and culprit drugs through epidemiological as well as public health related issues to long-term photoaging and potential photocarcinogenic consequences. The present review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the topic while focusing on culprit drugs and long-term effects. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2021 Mar 2;37(2):99-104. Epub 2021 Feb 2.

Dermatology Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi.

Pellagra is a clinical syndrome caused by a deficiency of niacin (nicotinic acid) and/or its precursor tryptophan. The cardinal manifestations are 4 D's: dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia and in worst case death. Increased use of isoniazid prophylaxis along with antiretroviral therapy in countries where latent tuberculosis is common has been associated with increased presentations with pellagra. Read More

Cureus 2020 Nov 18;12(11):e11546. Epub 2020 Nov 18.

Dermatology, San Diego Family Dermatology, National City, USA.

Antibiotics have been observed to cause drug-induced reactions. These can include a cutaneous adverse reaction to the drug (CARD) such as photosensitivity. A 51-year-old woman initiated doxycycline monohydrate for rosacea. Read More

Pharmaceutics 2020 Nov 17;12(11). Epub 2020 Nov 17.

Dermatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy.

Photosensitivity induced by drugs is a widely experienced problem, concerning both molecule design and clinical practice. Indeed, photo-induced cutaneous eruptions represent one of the most common drug adverse events and are frequently an important issue to consider in the therapeutic management of patients. Phototoxicity and photoallergy are the two different pathogenic mechanisms involved in photosensitization. Read More

Eur J Pharm Sci 2020 Dec 18;155:105519. Epub 2020 Aug 18.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan. Electronic address:

Topical application of phylloquinone (PK) is beneficial to the skin; however, its topical use is limited in Europe owing to its photosensitive properties such as photodegradation and phototoxicity. We evaluated the suitability of ester derivatives of phyllohydroquinone (PKH), the active form of PK, for topical application to overcome the abovementioned problems of PK. We used the PKH derivatives PKH-1,4-bis-N,N-dimethylglycinate hydrochloride (PKH-DMG) and PKH-1,4-bis-hemisuccinate (PKH-SUC) for our studies. Read More

J Cosmet Dermatol 2020 Sep 23;19(9):2394-2400. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Although cosmetic products such as sunscreens and moisturizers are generally considered safe, they can be less effective or harmful if used improperly. Thus, pharmacist's awareness about cosmeceuticals is pivotal in counseling about the ingredients and the proper use of such products.

Objective: To evaluate the awareness level of community pharmacists regarding cosmetic products particularly sunscreens and moisturizers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2020 Nov 5;36(6):441-451. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Dermatology Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.

Background: Systemic drugs are a potentially reversible cause of photosensitivity. We explore prevalence, impact, phototest findings and culprit drugs.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients was diagnosed with drug-induced photosensitivity in a specialist photoinvestigation centre (2000-2016), using data recorded in standardized pro forma. Read More

Pharmaceut Med 2019 04;33(2):121-133

Epidemiology, Worldwide Safety and Regulatory, Pfizer Inc, New York, NY, USA.

Background: Voriconazole is an extended-spectrum antifungal agent approved for the treatment and prophylaxis of invasive aspergillosis and other serious fungal infections. In 2014, additional risk minimization measures (aRMM) consisting of a Healthcare Professional (HCP) Question and Answer (Q&A) Brochure, HCP Checklist, and Patient Alert Card were implemented on a rolling basis across the European Union (EU) to mitigate three key risks with voriconazole: phototoxicity, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin, and hepatotoxicity. The risks of phototoxicity and hepatotoxicity have been documented in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) since voriconazole was first approved in the EU in 2002. Read More

J Dermatol 2020 Feb 16;47(2):174-177. Epub 2019 Dec 16.

Department of, Dermatology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan.

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS), also referred to as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), is a severe hypersensitivity drug reaction affecting the skin and multiple internal organ systems. We report a 47-year-old man with DIHS/DRESS and comorbidities (fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus, valsartan-induced photosensitivity, vitiligo and acute interstitial nephritis). Although acute interstitial nephritis usually appears in the early phase, his is a rare case of acute interstitial nephritis more than 2 years after the onset of DIHS/DRESS. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2019 6;34:12. Epub 2019 Sep 6.

Service de Dermatologie-Vénérologie, Hôpital Militaire d'Instruction Mohammed V, Rabat, Maroc.

Polymorphic lucite (PL) is a frequent photodermatosis, but its pathophysiologic mechanism is still poorly elucidated. We report the case of a 54-year old male teacher, with no previous medical-surgical history, presenting with recurrent papular and very pruritic rash lasting for 12 years. Clinical examination showed papular-vesicular excoriated lesions on the face, the neck and the scalp. Read More

Eur J Hosp Pharm 2019 Sep 17;26(5):288-289. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France.

Terbinafine is an antifungaldrug(inhibitor of ergosterol synthesis) known to induce skin reactions. A 58-year-old female was treated with terbinafine for onychomycosis. On the fifth day of treatment a skin rash emerged on her sun-exposed areas. Read More

Ther Clin Risk Manag 2019 12;15:1111-1119. Epub 2019 Sep 12.

Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 60-781, Poland.

Purpose: Older people are at risk of developing adverse drug reactions, including photosensitivity reactions. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the use of potentially photosensitizing medications and photoprotection in the elderly population.

Patients And Methods: Three hundred and fifty-six respondents (223 [63%] women and 133 [37%] men) aged ≥65 years filled in the original questionnaire concerning photosensitivity reactions to drugs. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020 Mar 26;34(3):589-600. Epub 2019 Nov 26.

Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Background: Drug-induced photosensitivity refers to the development of cutaneous adverse events due to interaction between a pharmaceutical compound and sunlight. Although photosensitivity is a very commonly listed side-effect of systemic drugs, reliable data on its actual incidence are lacking so far.

Objectives: A possible approach to evaluate the real-life extent of drug-induced photosensitivity would be an analysis of the frequency of exposure to a given photosensitizing drug combined with an indicator of its photosensitizing potential. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Aug;98(31):e16392

Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute.

Rationale: Vandetanib is effective for treating symptomatic or progressive medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease, but its toxicity such as photosensitivity reactions should be considered. It is a rare adverse effect of this drug but might cause severe morbidity and even mortality.

Patient Concerns: A 26-year man with MTC developed phototoxic rashes on the sun-exposed areas of his shin after 15 days from the initiation of vandetanib treatment. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2019 Sep 6;35(5):369-371. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

Research Department, Moy-Fincher-Chipps Facial Plastics & Dermatology, Beverly Hills, California.

Drug-induced photosensitivity develops when the use of oral or topical photosensitizing medications creates a rash after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Medications most commonly implicated in photosensitive drug reactions include amiodarone, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, thiazides, tetracycline antibiotics, chlorpromazine, and fluoroquinolones. It is generally believed that drug-induced photosensitivity is an UVA phenomenon, caused by UV wavelengths between 315 and 400 nm. Read More

Drug Saf 2019 07;42(7):827-847

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Photosensitive drug eruptions are cutaneous adverse events due to exposure to a medication and either ultraviolet or visible radiation. In this review, the diagnosis, prevention and management of drug-induced photosensitivity is discussed. Diagnosis is based largely on the history of drug intake and the appearance of the eruption primarily affecting sun-exposed areas of the skin. Read More

Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2019 03 31;28(1):e1769. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Juntendo University Schizophrenia Projects (JUSP), Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.

Objectives: Photosensitivity to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation from sunlight is an important side effect of treatment with antipsychotic agents. However, the pathophysiology of drug-induced photosensitivity remains unclear. Recent studies demonstrated the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), annotated as carbonyl stress, to be associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2019 03 19;35(2):124-126. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.

Photochem Photobiol Sci 2018 Dec;17(12):1885-1903

Photobiology Unit, Dermatology Department, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK.

Drug photosensitivity is a relatively common occurrence and a range of mechanisms may be involved. Some of these mechanisms will be discussed, including the most common, that of drug phototoxicity. Different types of photosensitivity are addressed with respect to clinical presentation, mechanisms and additionally the contribution to our understanding through clinically directed investigations and regulatory requirements. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Dec 10;79(6):1069-1075. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Phototoxicity has been attributed to numerous oral drugs over the past 60 years.

Objective: Determine the quality of evidence supporting suspected phototoxicity from oral drugs.

Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for all studies that contain original data for drug-induced phototoxicity and were published between May 1959 and December 2016. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2018 Oct;19(5):707-731

Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, 3031 West Grand Blvd, Suite 800, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.

Photodermatoses occur in males and females of all races and ages. Onset can be variable in timing and influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Photodermatoses are broadly classified as immunologically mediated, chemical- and drug-induced, photoaggravated, and genetic (defective DNA repair or chromosomal instability) diseases. Read More

Int J Toxicol 2018 Jul/Aug;37(4):296-307. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

1 Charles River Laboratories Den Bosch B.V., DD 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.

Drug-induced phototoxicity occurs when drugs absorb natural sunlight, leading to chemical reactions causing cellular damage. Distribution to light-exposed tissues is critical and is enhanced by binding to melanin. The International Council on Harmonization S10 guidance document on photosafety evaluation of pharmaceuticals states that although nonpigmented skin tends to be more sensitive than pigmented skin, pigmented skin models should be considered for drugs that bind significantly to melanin. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018 Nov 15;32(11):1879-1886. Epub 2018 Jul 15.

Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.

Photodermatoses represent a heterogeneous collection of disorders unified by the characteristic of being provoked through exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Generally, these conditions are classified into the following categories: immunologically mediated photodermatoses, chemical- and drug-induced photosensitivity, photoaggravated dermatoses and photosensitivity associated with defective DNA repair mechanisms or chromosomal instabilities. The list of photodermatoses is extensive, and each individual photodermatosis is understood to a different extent. Read More

Clin Med (Lond) 2018 06;18(3):259-260

Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia.

Dopamine agonists such as pramipexole are commonly used in the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS) as well as Parkinson's disease. Pramipexole's common side effects are well documented; however, adverse skin reactions are less well known. In this case, a 45-year-old male farmer presented with excessive daytime tiredness and reported a history suggestive of RLS. Read More

J Wildl Dis 2018 07 2;54(3):491-502. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

1   School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2678, Australia.

We describe the clinicopathologic features of a mortality event characterized by blindness and dermatitis affecting eastern grey kangaroos ( Macropus giganteus), secondary to hepatogenous photosensitization. Affected animals exhibited photophobic behavior, blindness, ataxia, recumbency, lethargy, ear shaking, and behavior consistent with distress or depression. The photophobia manifested as abnormal shade-seeking during the day, including finding refuge under or in structures used frequently by people. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2017 Jun;56(2):277-283

Clinical Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia.

When taking different drugs, their possible side effects on the skin should be considered, including skin reactions connected to photosensitivity. This photosensitivity caused by drugs can appear as phototoxic reactions (which occur more often) or photoallergic reactions (which occur less often and include allergic mechanisms). The following drugs stand out as medications with a high photosensitivity potential: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cardiovascular drugs (such as amiodarone), phenothiazines (especially chlorpromazine), retinoids, antibiotics (sulfonamides, tetracyclines, especially demeclocycline and quinolones), etc. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2018 Oct 24;153(5):672-684. Epub 2018 Jan 24.

Institute of Dermatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

The potential carcinogenic risk of antihypertensive drugs has been examined in several studies that reported controversial results. The association between treatment with antihypertensives and risk of skin cancer has also been questioned, considering the long-term administration of such drugs and the ability of some agents to cause photosensitive reactions. In fact, experimental and epidemiologic findings suggest a link between drug-induced photosensitivity and skin cancer, possibly through the induction of DNA damage in predisposed individuals. Read More

Biol Pharm Bull 2017 ;40(12):2158-2165

Laboratory of Drug Informatics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University.

Drug-induced photosensitivity (DIP) refers to the development of cutaneous disorders caused by the combined effects of different medications and light. The aim of this study was to obtain new information on drug risk comparisons and on DIP onset profiles, including seasonal variations, for clinically used prescription drugs. We analyzed reports of DIP recorded in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database using a reporting odds ratio (ROR). Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2019 Jun 30;154(3):366-367. Epub 2017 Nov 30.

Unit of Allergology and Occupational Dermatology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.