Abstract
Photosensitizing drug reactions are cutaneous eruptions that occur after exposure
to ultraviolet radiation in patients using photosensitizing medications. The reactions
can be broadly classified into phototoxic and photoallergic, with the former being
much more common and well documented. There is an extensive list of photosensitizing
medications, especially in the case of phototoxicity. The most common are amiodarone,
chlorpromazine, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, nalidixic acid, naproxen, piroxicam,
tetracycline, thioridazine, vemurafenib, and voriconazole. Most of the medications
implicated in photosensitivity share an action spectrum within the ultraviolet A range.
Distinguishing between phototoxicity and photoallergy can be difficult, because some
clinical overlap exists between the two disorders. It is often done based on pathogenesis,
clinical presentation, and diagnosis. Management is similar for both types of reactions,
with the gold standard being prevention. This review provides an overview of the photosensitizing
drug reactions and highlights the similarities and differences between phototoxicity
and photoallergy, as well as other photosensitizing drug reactions in the phototoxicity
family including lichenoid reactions and pseudoporphyria.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 07, 2021
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© 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc.
