blood pressure medication and sun exposure

UPDATED: Read our community guidelines here. Hydrochlorothiazide with triamterene (Dyazide) is just one. Background: Ecological studies show that sun or ultraviolet (UV) exposure have inverse associations with blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Scoop a new vibe in the numbers and do today’s Daily Sudoku. The Canadian Dermatology Association generally recommends using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 applied liberally at least 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure. The result can be a severe, blistering sunburn on the exposed parts of the body. If you are unsure about the effects of your medications on your skin's sun sensitivity, be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor. Exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure and thus cut the risk of heart attack and stroke, a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology suggests. The best way to protect yourself is to minimize the exposure of your skin to direct sunlight and ensure that you are using a sunscreen that is active against ultraviolet A rays. Drugs such as birth control pills, allergy pills, statins and In addition, "ACE inhibitors" - which include ramipril (Altace), enalapril (Vasotec) and captopril (Capoten)- may put you at increased risk as well. Thank you for your patience. Kick back with the Daily Universal Crossword. And the way this works and what this diagram is showing is that sunlight will actually help convert nitric oxide into an active … Give your brain a workout and do today’s Daily Cryptic Crossword. Nifedipine and amlodipine (also known as Adalat and Norvasc) are examples of medications called "calcium channel blockers" that have also been associated with this reaction. When exposed to sunlight, small amounts of NO are transferred from the skin to the circulation, lowering blood vessel tone; as blood pressure drops, so … This is important not only for those of you heading south this time of year to escape the snow and cold, but also for those who are staying home and enjoying outdoor winter activities since any exposed skin is susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun and snow reflects up to 80 per cent of the sun's rays. THE ANSWER: There are a number of medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In conclusion, one might say that it is no wonder that Wayne … Hydrochlorothiazide with triamterene (Dyazide) is just one. I did not know about this warning. THE QUESTION: If I'm taking medication for blood pressure or an irregular heart beat, do I need to be careful with sun exposure?". What is it and why does exposure to sunshine cause this reaction? Some drugs contain compounds that, when activated by the sun's ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, can damage cell membranes and, in some instances, DNA. My husband is taking high blood pressure medication. Certain medications may make some more susceptible to heat-related illness, but pharmacists say you can counteract these side effects with a few simple choices when you’re in the sun. Several common over-the-counter and prescription medications can trigger toxic and allergic reactions to natural or artificial ultraviolet light — a condition called photosensitivity. High blood pressure and osteoporosis in the same patient is a clue to the clinician that the person lacks enough solar exposure and/or they live in a 24/7 blue lit and microwaved indoor existence. We hope to have this fixed soon. Q. I am taking Dyazide for high blood pressure and have developed skin rashes and itching when exposed to the sun even after generous coatings with sunscreen. I have been on medication during the summertime which says to avoid sun exposure. Generally, the benefits of these medications far outweigh the risks. Although not a blood-pressure medication, amiodarone, (Cordarone) which is used to control heart rate and rhythm, has been linked to increased sun sensitivity and rash. This article was published more than 10 years ago. Heart and blood pressure medications are very important for lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke as well as to maintain a healthy heart and circulatory system. Although sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D, recent meta-analyses of clinical trials have not reported a beneficial effect from vitamin D supplementation on BP or CVD. Read our, I'm a print subscriber, link to my account, Avoid the use of toxic and offensive language. Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted. What’s behind this extreme reaction? We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options. The risk of these reactions increases with higher doses and with greater sun exposure. Research shows that … Many antibiotics, blood pressure pills, arthritis medicine and antidepressants can make people far more vulnerable to a rash or bad burn. Can I do something to prevent it? Exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure and thus cut the risk of heart attack and stroke, a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology suggests. An average of more than one-half hour of sun exposure per day, as compared to no sun exposure, predicted a 40% reduced risk for hypertension. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to [email protected]. Exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure and thus cut the risk of heart attack and stroke, a study published suggests. “Those can definitely be phototoxic, especially the retinoids,” says … In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”. A surprising number of prescription and OTC medicines can cause sun sensitivity. Blood-pressure medications that are often referred to as "water pills", such as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide (also known by the brand name of Lasix), can make your skin more likely to experience sun sensitivity. 351 King Street East, Suite 1600, Toronto, ON Canada, M5A 0N1, Just $1.99 per week for the first 24 weeks, var select={root:".js-sub-pencil",control:".js-sub-pencil-control",open:"o-sub-pencil--open",closed:"o-sub-pencil--closed"},dom={},allowExpand=!0;function pencilInit(o){var e=arguments.length>1&&void 0!==arguments[1]&&arguments[1];select.root=o,dom.root=document.querySelector(select.root),dom.root&&(dom.control=document.querySelector(select.control),dom.control.addEventListener("click",onToggleClicked),setPanelState(e),window.addEventListener("scroll",onWindowScroll),dom.root.removeAttribute("hidden"))}function isPanelOpen(){return dom.root.classList.contains(select.open)}function setPanelState(o){dom.root.classList[o?"add":"remove"](select.open),dom.root.classList[o? Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. (Of course, I wasn't wearing sunscreen either). About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. A surprising number of prescription and OTC medicines can cause sun sensitivity. Click here to subscribe. We are sending you our Guide to Skin Care & Treatment, with a list of medicines associated with sun sensitivity and a discussion of sunscreen. Blood Pressure Pill Makes Skin Sensitive to Sun, Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. Additional studies have concluded that people with higher levels of Vitamin D (a vitamin that is commonly linked to sun exposure), experienced lower blood pressure levels and were at lower risk of developing hypertension. SPF refers to the ability of the sunscreen to protect against UVB rays so check the label to be sure that your sunscreen also protects against UVA rays. Although not a blood-pressure medication, amiodarone, (Cordarone) which is used to control heart rate and rhythm, has been linked to increased sun sensitivity and rash… He had similar problems when we went to Great America in June. That means: If you do not see your comment posted immediately, it is being reviewed by the moderation team and may appear shortly, generally within an hour. When exposed to sunlight, small amounts of NO are transferred from the skin to the circulation, lowering blood vessel tone; as blood pressure drops, so … It turned out that it was more like I got a 3-hour-burn after 15 minutes. I figured that just meant I'd be more sensitive so it would take me a half hour to get the kind of burn I'd usually get after being out for 2 hours. High blood pressure tends to increase in the winter among people who are further from the equator since sun exposure is limited throughout the year. His Mother told him that the sun exposure while taking high blood pressure meds can cause congestive heart failure. The good news is that many of these medication-related reactions are preventable. In other more rare cases, you may even develop a sun allergy - the reaction produced by your skin involves the immune system and you may develop an allergic response such as a rash or hives. It warns against sun exposure while taking it. Certain medications can increase sensitivity to burns or rashes from sun exposure. Acne treatments. Wear a pair of 100 percent UV-blocking sunglasses whenever you are outside. Some information in it may no longer be current. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. There are also umbrellas that can keep damaging rays off your skin. Seek special UV protective clothing and a hat that also screens out ultraviolet radiation. Switch gears. Martin Feelisch, Professor of Experimental Medicine and Integrative Biology at the University of Southampton, comments: “NO along with its breakdown products, known to be abundant in skin, is involved in the regulation of blood pressure. Different drugs (including pills and those applied to the skin … We went to a local waterpark and he did not feel well after a few hours. This reaction may start out only on sun-exposed skin, but may spread to other unexposed areas and often is only seen 24 to 48 hours after exposure. If you are looking to give feedback on our new site, please send it along to, To view this site properly, enable cookies in your browser. Drugs like isotretinoin and acetretin are systemic retinoids used … Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. © Copyright 2021 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. I could go on for another page about the horrors of blood-pressure medication, but what I have said suffices. Many antibiotics, blood pressure pills, arthritis medicine and antidepressants can make people far more vulnerable to a rash or bad burn. 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Sun-sensitive or photosensitive drugs are drugs that cause a moderate to severe skin reaction that is similar to a bad sunburn when exposed to the sun (UV … We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate. Kori Leblanc is a pharmacist and clinical practice leader in the pharmacy department and Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at the University Health Network in Toronto. However, there are a few medications in this family that do increase sun-sensitivity, even in individuals with darker skin. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms. If all else fails, your doctor may want to consider prescribing a different blood pressure medication. Systemic retinoids. We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner. To protect yourself you will need a very high SPF sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation. Now, what he has found is that, independent of vitamin D levels, people who get sun exposure will actually have lower blood pressure. Martin Feelisch, Professor of Experimental Medicine and Integrative Biology at the University of Southampton, comments: “NO along with its breakdown products, known to be abundant in skin, is involved in the regulation of blood pressure. Many common medications cause photosensitivity in some people when exposed to sunlight. Unfortunately, 40-75% of the population is deficient in Vitamin D. It is important to note that for every 10% increase in Vitamin D there is an 8.1% decrease in the risk of hypertension. Experts say thiazide diuretic blood pressure medications can alter the way your skin reacts to sunlight and increase skin cancer risk in people over age 66. Your eyes may also be more susceptible to UV damage. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter . A. Most often, this means that your skin will burn more easily and with less sun exposure than it would if you were not taking the medication. I live in California and it’s hard to avoid the sun! Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. Non-burning sun exposure is one of the best elixirs for hypertension. Sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone (Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide and zinc oxide screen out UVA rays. To protect yourself you will need a very high SPF sunscreen that blocks both UVA and radiation! Is elevated, please forward it to letters @ globeandmail.com family that increase... During the summertime which says to avoid sun exposure is one of the body the... Uv-Blocking sunglasses whenever you are outside went to Great America in June,... Pressure pills, arthritis medicine and antidepressants can make people far more vulnerable to a local waterpark he! On medication during the summertime which says to avoid the use of and! 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Mail ’ s Daily Cryptic Crossword rays off your skin editor, please it... Sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation UVA and UVB radiation disease in which within... Blistering sunburn on the exposed parts of the body either ) photosensitivity in some people when exposed to.!, but what I have said suffices … many common medications cause photosensitivity in people! That the sun exposure with higher doses and with greater sun exposure is one of the elixirs... Photosensitivity in some people when exposed to sunlight 'm a print subscriber, link my... Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be able to engage with them in any way non-subscribers read... @ globeandmail.com Mail ’ s hard to avoid sun exposure, there are a few.. Pressure pills, arthritis medicine and antidepressants can make people far more vulnerable to rash... 15 minutes been on medication during the summertime which says to avoid sun exposure make far...

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