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People on doxycycline, diclofenac, amiodarone given 35C heatwave warning

Medical scientist give full list of medications which people need to take extra care with in the current heatwave

[People need to take extra care in the August heatwave because of the impact if they're taking certain drugs]

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People need to take extra care in the August heatwave because of the impact if they're taking certain drugs(Image: Getty)

The UK is today being hit by potentially dangerous weather conditions with temperatures of 35C forecast, and up to 38C on Thursday. Rare amber extreme heat warnings have been issued by the forecaster for London and parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire from 9am to midnight on Thursday.

The Government urged the public to pay attention to UK Health Security Agency heat health alerts, and advised people should drink plenty of fluids and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at high risk. Medical experts have highlighted a number of medications millions take in the UK which can have nasty side effects if the skin is exposed to the blazing sun for too long.

Writing on The Conversation website Nial Wheate, associate professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, Elise Schubert, pharmacist, and Lisa Kouladjian ODonnell, research fellow in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy, explained: There are many medicines that can affect your skin and make you more sensitive to the sun, so its important to know which ones to look out for.

Antibiotics:

The paper said people need to be careful of drugs including doxycycline, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole. They wrote: The first are the antibiotics. Tetracycline-based drugs are particularly known to cause sensitivity. An example is the drug doxycycline which is used to treat infections, acne, and as a malaria prophylactic (or prevention) for those who are going to a tropical location (lots of sun).

Other antibiotics known to cause sun sensitivity are fluoroquinolones, like ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole, which treat a broad range of illnesses such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia or gastroenteritis.

Antifungals and skin conditions

The antifungals griseofulvin and voriconazole are known to cause sun sensitivity. People may be taking these medicines for skin or nail fungal infections. For people who suffer from skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, the oral retinoid medications including acitretin and isotretinoin and the topical cream pimecrolimus will leave you sensitive to the sun.

Anti-inflammatories

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like diclofenac, can leave you sun sensitive, especially if applied on the skin, so you need to be sure you adequately protect those areas. The same applies for some opioid-based pain patches, like fentanyl. When you remove the patch, the skin underneath will be sensitive to the sun.

Heart drugs

Amiodarone is a drug used to treat irregular heart beats and azathioprine is an immuno suppressing drug used for people who have inflammatory immune conditions or organ transplants. Both are known to cause sun sensitivity.

Cancer treatment

Finally, a large number of drugs used in cancer chemotherapy will sensitise your skin. These include: 5-fluorouracil, 5-aminolevulinic acid, vemurafenib, imatinib, mercaptopurine, and methotrexate.

The paper said it is important to note that not all people who use one of these medicines will have a sun sensitivity reaction but extra precautions should be taken.

Remember the five S advice from the Cancer Council:

• slip on suitable clothing
• slop on sunscreen that is rated SPF30 or higher to exposed skin, especially on your face and arms
• slap on a hat
• seek shade when you can
• slide on sunglasses.

The scientists added: "And if you are concerned a medicine you are taking may be putting you at more risk of sunburn, speak to your pharmacist. They can confirm if your medicine does increase your risk of sunburn and discuss options. This could include having your doctor issue a prescription for a different drug.

"Never just stop taking a medicine because you are concerned about the risk of sun damage or any other side effects; always discuss it first with your health care provider." To read the full article click here.

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