Drug-Induced Photosensitivity
Drugs that can affect patients who are undergoing whitening treatment
Many in-office whitening products recommend the use of a light in the whitening process. There is much documentation in the dental literature that these lights do not increase the whitening effect, and also there are many drugs that increase the photosensitivity of patients to light. One must seriously look at the risk/benefit ratio, and possible long term complications, when contemplating using a light with whitening agents.
Background
A) Drugs below are photosensitizers
B) Skin reactions secondary to photosensitizers:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Sunburn
Psychiatric and neurologic medications
A) Tricyclic antidepressants:
- Desipramine
- Imipramine
B) Tegretol
C) Benzodiazepines
D) Antipsychotic medications:
- Thorazine
- Compazine
- Haldol
Cardiovascular medications
A) ACE inhibitors
B) Calcium channel blockers
C) Methyldopa
D) Norpace
E) Amiodarone
F) Fibric acid derivatives
G) Diuretics:
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Hydrochlorothiazide
Oncology: antineoplastic medications
A) Dacarbazine
B) Fluorouracil
C) Methotrexate
D) Vinblastine
Otolaryngology medications: Antihistamines
A) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B) Periactin
C) Phenergan
Infectious disease medications
A) Antibiotics:
- Fluoroquinolones
- Ceftazidime
- Trimethoprim
- Sulfonamides (e.g. Bactrim)
- Tetracycline (and related agents)
B) Antiparasitic agents:
- Thiabendazole
- Chloroquine
- Quinine
C) Antifungal agents:
- Griseofulvin
- Ketoconazole
Phytophotodermatitis: food, herb, or dye exposure
A) Oils in perfumes, cosmetics, aftershaves, lipsticks:
- Bergamot
- Citron
- Citrus
- Lavender
- Lime and other psoralens
- Vanillin or vanilla
- Sandalwood
- Cedar
- 6-methylcoumarin
- Musk ambrette
B) Pigments and dyes:
- Acrifalvine
- Anthraquinone dye (disperse blue 35)
- Eosin
- Neutral red
- Proflavine
- Rivanol
- Yellow cadmium sulfide (used in tattooing)
- Rose bengal
- Methylene blue
- Fluorescein
C) Plant exposures:
- Furocoumarins
- Buttercup
- Carrots
- Celery
- Dill
- Fennel
- Fig
- Lime
- Mustard
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- St. John's Wort
- Yarrow
- Psoralens
