Does tetracycline (Tetracycline antibiotic) cause photosensitivity?

From the Guidelines

Yes, tetracycline does cause photosensitivity, as it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of severe sunburns even with minimal sun exposure. This reaction typically occurs within minutes to hours of sun exposure while taking the medication. To manage this side effect, you should avoid direct sunlight, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM, wear protective clothing (long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hats), and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every 2 hours when outdoors. The photosensitivity occurs because tetracyclines absorb UV radiation and generate reactive oxygen species in the skin, causing cellular damage and inflammatory responses. This side effect can persist throughout treatment and for several days after stopping the medication. If you experience severe sunburn while taking tetracycline, contact your healthcare provider, as they may need to switch you to a different antibiotic 1, 2.

Some key points to consider:

• Tetracyclines, including doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline itself, can cause photosensitivity 1, 2
• Photosensitivity can occur within minutes to hours of sun exposure while taking the medication 2
• To manage photosensitivity, avoid direct sunlight, wear protective clothing, and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every 2 hours when outdoors 3
• The photosensitivity occurs because tetracyclines absorb UV radiation and generate reactive oxygen species in the skin, causing cellular damage and inflammatory responses 2
• If you experience severe sunburn while taking tetracycline, contact your healthcare provider, as they may need to switch you to a different antibiotic 1, 2

It is essential to follow these guidelines to minimize the risk of photosensitivity and ensure safe treatment with tetracycline antibiotics.

From the FDA Drug Label

Photosensitivity manifested by an exaggerated sunburn reaction has been observed in some individuals taking tetracyclines. Advise patients apt to be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet lights that this reaction can occur with tetracycline drugs. Discontinue treatment at the first evidence of skin erythema Photosensitivity manifested by an exaggerated sunburn reaction has been observed in some individuals taking tetracyclines. Patients apt to be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light should be advised that this reaction can occur with tetracycline drugs, and treatment should be discontinued at the first evidence of skin erythema Photosensitivity manifested by an exaggerated sunburn reaction has been observed in some individuals taking tetracyclines. Phototoxic reactions can occur in individuals taking demeclocycline, and are characterized by severe burns or exposed surfaces resulting from direct exposure of patients to sunlight during therapy with moderate or large doses of demeclocycline Patients apt to be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light should be advised that this reaction can occur, and treatment should be discontinued at the first evidence of erythema of the skin.

Yes, tetracycline can cause photosensitivity. Patients taking tetracycline should be advised to avoid direct sunlight or ultraviolet light, and treatment should be discontinued at the first evidence of skin erythema 4, 5, 6.

From the Research

Tetracycline and Photosensitivity

• Tetracycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has been associated with photosensitivity reactions, including phototoxic and photoallergic reactions 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
• Phototoxic reactions occur when the drug absorbs energy from ultraviolet A (UVA) light and releases it into the skin, causing cellular damage 7.
• Photoallergic reactions involve a structural change in the drug, causing it to act as a hapten and triggering an allergic response 7, 8.
• Tetracyclines, including doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline, have been reported to cause photosensitive skin reactions, with some drugs being more likely to cause phototoxicity than others 9.

Drugs that Cause Photosensitivity

• Other drugs that can cause photosensitivity reactions include: + Amiodarone 7, 8, 10, 11 + Quinolones 7, 8, 10, 11 + Thiazides 7, 8 + Benzocaine 7 + Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 8 + Phenothiazines 8 + Retinoids 8 + Targeted anticancer therapies 8

Management and Prevention

• Patients taking tetracyclines and other photosensitizing drugs should be warned of the risk of cutaneous reactions and advised to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and use adequate photoprotection 7, 8, 10, 11.
• If photosensitive reactions occur, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic therapies may be introduced 8.