PHOTOSENSITIVITY PHENOMENON – A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT OF COMMONLY USED DRUGS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56782/pps.8Keywords:
drug-induced photosensitivity, phototoxicity, photoallergyAbstract
Drug-induced photosensitivity is an adverse effect of topically or systemically administered therapeutic substances caused by exposure to UVA, UVB, and visible light. It accounts for 8% of skin reactions to medications. It may occur as an effect of phototoxicity, when photoactivation of a drug or its metabolite in the skin results in the formation of a photoproduct or reactive oxygen species (ROS) or be a consequence of photoallergy – delayed type IV hypersensitivity reaction to the photoproduct. The occurrence of these phenomena depends on the structure of the molecule and physical and chemical properties of a xenobiotic. Many drugs have the potential to cause photosensitivity, including antimicrobial medications (doxycycline, tetracycline, isoniazid), antifungal drugs (voriconazole), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ketoprofen, piroxicam), medicines used in cardiovascular diseases (amiodarone, hydrochlorothiazide), antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, thioridazine), furanocoumarins (psoralen derivatives) as well as plant substances such as St. John's wort. Diagnosis of photosensitivity is based on a phototest. Prevention of phototoxicity and photoallergy includes avoiding sun exposure and the use of sunscreens, while treatment focuses on symptoms’ alleviation and administration of anti-inflammatory drugs in the case of photoallergy.
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