Commentary By Steve Mullenix

The North Jefferson News



What’s the issue when the sunscreen does not work?

Do you have the wrong brand? Did you not use enough?

The answer may be lurking in your medicine cabinet. Certain drugs and other substances can increase your sensitivity to ultraviolet light and cause the skin to burn in less time, or with a lower level of exposure than normal.

As you know, sunburn is a serious matter. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is a documented risk in skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 62,000 new cases of melanoma this year.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. The death rate has increased 50 percent since 1973 from this form of cancer. So being aware of the risk associated with this dangerous and often fatal condition is imperative.

Heightened sensitivity to the UV rays, better know as a “phototoxic” reaction occurs when UV rays interact with certain chemicals in medications.

This reaction can continue to occur even after you have stopped taking the drug. Depending on the type of drug and how long you’ve been taking it, the effect can be prolonged for as much as a week or more.

To be safe, always ask your pharmacist about the effects of the medication on sunlight. Those little labels placed on the prescription bottles provide you important information; they are not just to add color to the label. Heed the warnings!

What are some of the leading culprits?

• Diruetics: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a commonly used diuretic (water pill) used to treat high blood pressure. There are numerous drugs that use this product in combination with other ingredients such as Maxzide, Dyazide, Hyzaar, Zestoretic.

• Antibiotics: Tetracycline drugs (Sumycin, Vibramycin) which are used to treat infections also make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Quinolone drugs like Cipro and Levaquin and sulfa drugs such as Bactrim and Septra also heighten sun sensitivity. Although many of these listed drugs are used to treat urinary tract infections, they are affected by sunlight.

• Skin care medications: Retin-A (alpha hydroxyl acid) and microdermabrasion products used to minimize wrinkles and improve skin tone make the skin more susceptible to sun damage as well.

• Heart medications: Amiodarone, marketed generically and under the brand name Cordarone, which is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, can cause you problems with the sun as well.

• Diabetes medications: Glucotrol (glipizide), used for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, should be taken with caution in combination with sun exposure. Related drugs like Amaryl and glyburide are also included.

• NSAIDs (nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory pain drugs): NSAIDs, which include over-the-counter medications such as Advil, Motrin, and Aleve (ibuprofen and naproxen) as well as prescription drugs such as Celebrex can increase your sensitivity to the sun.

• Balsam of Peru: Okay, what the heck is this? Do you use perfume? Balsam of Peru is an herbal ingredient often used in perfume products and after shave lotions.

By now you are most likely thinking, you’ll just have to sit in the house all summer and watch reruns of I Love Lucy and stay out of the sun, right? Don’t buy a new recliner yet. The substance in sunscreen can help.

The SPF or “SUN PROTECTION FACTOR” is measured as the amount of time you should be able to be exposed to the sun without damage. SPF 15 blocks 92 percent of the UVB rays, and SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, so an SPF of 15 would be fine for walking around. For longer exposure, an SPF of 30 or higher would be recommended.

Unfortunately, UVB is only half the story. UVA rays are only blocked by products that contain active ingredients like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or avobenzone. The FDA recently approved ecamsule, a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has been marketed since 1993 as Mexoryl SX in Europe and Canada. This product is effective in blocking UVA as well as UVB radiation.

To minimize the risk, apply sunscreen every couple of hours and make sure you use enough.

Most people only use about half of what they need. If you put it on too thin, why use it at all? Don’t rely on sunscreen alone — cover up, use a hat and avoid reflective rays from sand, concrete, and metal which can reach you even under an umbrella.

Also, stay out of the sun if you can during the peak exposure hours of 10:00 am to 3:00pm.

Be aware of these concerns because taking some simple precautions can provide protection from the sun’s damaging effects.

Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) is a pharmacist and co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.