Sunshine can interact with some medications
While the sun is always good for a little dose of vitamin D, it can make some people, who are taking certain medications more vulnerable. "It is really in the fine print. It is very few people actually get the reaction, but it is there and something like that can increase it," said pharmacist Zachary Swope with The Hometown Pharmacy.
While the sun is always good for a little dose of vitamin D, it can make some people, who are taking certain medications more vulnerable.
"It is really in the fine print. It is very few people actually get the reaction, but it is there and something like that can increase it," said pharmacist Zachary Swope with The Hometown Pharmacy.
Swope says there are two different reactions that can occur when people are taking medications and are spending time out in the sun.
"Certain medications can cause either photo allergic reactions where the UV rays actually react a chemical reaction with certain creams like benzol peroxide and what can happen is when that reaction happens it can cause an allergic reaction," said Swope. "The other thing is photo toxicity where as if you take certain medications it can actually create, cause your skin to absorb more UV rays, which can actually kill cells."
Swope says antibiotics such as Cipro and bactrim, diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide and over the counter pain relievers such naproxen and ibuprofen are some of the most widely used medications that can interact with the sun.
"You definitely just want to protect yourself a little bit," said Swope.
Strategies to protect yourself including lathering on the SPF, staying hydrated and knowing your medications.
