Q: Photosensitivity & Trileptal
Have you heard of this? We're talking 15 minutes of sun exposure leading to bad
burn - and this is with 30SPF sunscreen! It's so bad that I get burnt through my
clothing. The drug works great and I really do not want to have to discontinue
it!
Hello Mr. H' --
Yes, this is "photosensitivity", a well-known reaction for some (not very
common; lucky you, drat). Down in the less-than-1% symptom list on the
Prescribing Information (official company document published to meet FDA
requirements for specific information -- so pretty technical but a good place to
look for this kind of thing) (you can get these "PI"'s by searching like this:
Trileptal Prescribing Information)
In the Skin section, beginning with acne and alopecia
and ending with vitiligo, in the middle you'll find "photosensitivity
reaction".
I've never heard of any particular strategies beyond
the obvious ones you're having to figure out, like opaque long sleeves and
perhaps a stylish bumbershoot.
Dr. Phelps
Published November, 2007
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