What is the relationship between photosensitizing drugs and skin cancer?

Emily Weidman-Evans; Andrea Rhodes; Lindsay Ferrington

doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000931448.63999.de

What is the relationship between photosensitizing drugs and skin cancer?

JAAPA. 2023 Jun 1;36(6):8-10. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000931448.63999.de.

Authors

Emily Weidman-Evans¹, Andrea Rhodes, Lindsay Ferrington

Affiliation

¹ Emily Weidman-Evans is a professor in the PA program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, La. Andrea Rhodes practices at Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center in San Antonio, Tex. Lindsay Ferrington is an assistant professor in the PA program at Louisiana State University. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

PMID: 37229580
DOI: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000931448.63999.de

Abstract

Many medications are associated with phototoxicity or photoallergy, the two types of photosensitivity. Recently, a warning related to increased skin cancer risk was added to the labeling of the popular diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. This article reviews some photosensitizing medications and describes patient education on preventing and recognizing photosensitivity reactions and skin cancer.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Dermatitis, Photoallergic* / prevention & control
Dermatitis, Phototoxic* / etiology
Dermatitis, Phototoxic* / prevention & control
Humans
Hydrochlorothiazide
Photosensitivity Disorders* / chemically induced
Photosensitivity Disorders* / prevention & control
Skin Neoplasms* / chemically induced

Substances

Hydrochlorothiazide