Painkillers and anti-inflammatory gels, certain antibiotics and acne medications are examples of medications that can make you burn more easily, or cause skin irritation or allergic reactions such as blisters or eczema when your body is exposed to the sun.
However, the survey commissioned by Apotek Hjärtat shows that over half of those surveyed, 52 percent, are unaware that common medications can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun.
Even more, 61 percent lack knowledge that the effect of certain medications can be affected by the sun. Rozex and Rosazol, which are used to treat the skin disease rosacea, are examples of medications that can be broken down in sunlight and thus have a reduced effect.
Apotek Hjärtat's advice to anyone unsure whether a medication's effect is affected by the sun or makes the skin more sensitive to the sun is to read the package insert.
"The sun warning should be mentioned there, but it's not always easy to find," says chief pharmacist Annika Svedberg in a press release.
