What does this label on my prescription medicine mean?

Question

"You should avoid prolonged or excessive exposure to direct/artificial sunlight while taking this medicine". What will happen to me if I do? I will be exposed and I can't wear a lot of sunscreens. Even if I wear long cloths I will have areas exposed.

Answer 1

The drug makes you more prone to sunburn than normal. A LOT more prone, so be careful, even if you don't normally burn. I burn easily and when I'm on a drug with this side effect, I wear sunblock like crazy but my skin still gets pink and really dry.

Answer 2

What that means is that you should not spend long periods of time in direct sunlight sources becasue it is possible the medication you are taking could cause a reaction in your bloodstream.
I assume you are taking some form of antibiotic?
Some medicines change your blood pressure slightly or other changes occur that don't go well with ultraviolet light.
Experience: I was dumb enough not to remember this warning a few years ago. I was taking an antibiotic with this warning on the label. I went on a weekend trip and spent a few hours at a barbeque (outside in the sun). Needless to say, after a couple of hours, I felt faint and lightheaded like a drunk!
I came inside, laid down for a few minutes and had plenty of water to drink, but I still felt strange. My wife called my doctor; he said I would be okay based on what I was doing with the rest and water.
Good luck.

Answer 3

label prescription medicine

Answer 4

This medication increases your sensitivity to the sun, making you more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancers. You'll need to try to be in shadow as much as possible, and see a doctor more regularly to monitor for skin changes that are suggestive of early cancer progression.

Answer 5

the label means what it says. You will get easily sunburned, the medication will make you very sensitive to the sun. So wear a big hat, long sleeves and minimize your time outside while on the medication.

Answer 6

You can get a sunburn and certain meds like Cipro can cause white sunspots upto 6 months after taking it these are permanent

Answer 7

.It means don't lay out in the sun or go to a suntanning booth to get a tan, Just going in and out of the sun to go from place to place is ok but don't stay in the sun for long periods of time.

Answer 8

First of all, any questions about your medication should be addressed to your doctor or pharmicist. You should have been warned about this when you were prescribed the medication. I would speak to a doctor about the proper way to protect yourself.

Answer 9

It means just what it says.
IF you have further and more specific questions you need to call your Pharmacist.

Answer 10

you can become dehydrated and sunburnt if you go out in a bikini. it sounds worse than it is.