Drug-Induced Photosensitivity: Causes, Risks, and What to Do

When your skin reacts badly to sunlight after taking a medication, you’re dealing with drug-induced photosensitivity, a skin reaction triggered by certain drugs when exposed to UV light. Also known as medication-related sun sensitivity, it’s not just a bad sunburn—it’s your body’s unusual response to light after taking something you thought was harmless. This isn’t rare. Thousands of people every year get red, itchy, blistered, or peeling skin after being in the sun—not because they stayed out too long, but because of a pill they took.

Common culprits include antibiotics like doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, NSAIDs like naproxen, diuretics like furosemide, and even some antidepressants and acne treatments like tretinoin. These drugs don’t make your skin burn faster—they change how your skin reacts to UV rays, sometimes turning harmless sunlight into a trigger for rashes, blisters, or long-term discoloration. It’s not always obvious. You might take a drug for weeks before your skin starts reacting. And it doesn’t matter if you’re in the shade or wearing a hat—UVA rays still get through windows and clouds.

People with darker skin might mistake the reaction for a rash or infection, while fair-skinned users often assume it’s just sun damage. But this isn’t the same as getting sunburned. The reaction can show up hours or even days after exposure, and it often stays in the exact spots where your skin was exposed—like your neck, arms, or the bridge of your nose. If you notice unusual redness, itching, or blistering after being outside and taking a new medication, stop assuming it’s just the sun. Check your prescription label. Look up the side effects. And talk to your doctor. Some drugs can cause permanent pigmentation changes if ignored.

What makes this worse is that many of these drugs show up in everyday use. You might be on a course of antibiotics for a sinus infection, taking naproxen for back pain, or using Retin A for acne—all known to increase sun sensitivity. And if you’re already managing a condition like arthritis, diabetes, or high blood pressure, you’re likely on multiple medications. That stack-up increases your risk. There’s no single test for drug-induced photosensitivity. Doctors usually diagnose it by matching your medication list with your skin reaction and ruling out other causes like lupus or genetic disorders.

Protecting yourself isn’t just about sunscreen. You need to know which drugs are risky, when to avoid sun exposure entirely, and how to read your prescriptions. Some people switch to alternative meds. Others adjust their routine—staying indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wearing UPF clothing, or using broad-spectrum sunblock every single day, even in winter. The key is awareness. You don’t have to give up your meds. But you do need to understand how they interact with the world around you.

In the posts below, you’ll find real-world guides on medications that cause sun sensitivity, how to spot the early signs, what to do if your skin reacts, and how to safely manage your treatment without putting your skin at risk. Whether you’re on a common painkiller, an antibiotic, or a skin cream, there’s something here that can help you stay safe.