title: Drug-induced photosensitivity: Photoallergic and phototoxic reactions.
abstract: Drug-induced photosensitivity refers to the development of cutaneous disease due to the interaction between a given chemical agent and sunlight. Photosensitivity reactions can be classified as phototoxic or photoallergic. Sometimes, there is an overlap between these two patterns, making their distinction particularly difficult for the clinician. We review the drugs that have been implicated as photosensitizers, the involved mechanism, and their clinical presentations. The main topical agents that cause contact photosensitivity are the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, whereas the main systemic drugs inducing photosensitivity are antimicrobials, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, and cardiovascular drugs. Drug-induced photosensitivity remains a common clinical problem and is often underdiagnosed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatovenereology, Hospital Distrital de Santarém EPE, Santarém, Portugal. Electronic address: Afilipe.monteiro@hds.min-saude.pt.
authors.forename: Ana Filipe
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatovenereology, Hospital Distrital de Santarém EPE, Santarém, Portugal.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rato
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatovenereology, Hospital Distrital de Santarém EPE, Santarém, Portugal.
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D017454:Dermatitis, Photoallergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017484:Dermatitis, Phototoxic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs