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Skin Changes Caused by a Medicine

Skin changes are a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription medicines. Common side effects include:

  • Rash. Any medicine can cause a rash. A few examples are aspirin, antibiotics, and barbiturates.
  • Color changes in the skin. A few examples of medicines that can cause this are:
    • Birth control pills.
    • Medicines for heart rhythm problems, such as amiodarone.
    • Antibiotics.
    • Cancer medicines.
    • Seizure medicines.
  • Reactions when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Many medicines can cause these reactions. The reaction may include just the skin that was exposed to the sun, or it can spread to other areas of the skin.

Medicines also can cause skin reactions when the skin is exposed to sunlight. These reactions may include just the skin that was exposed to the sun (phototoxic reactions) or can spread to include other areas (photoallergic reactions).

If you think that your skin changes may be caused by a medicine:

  • Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to find out if you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary.
  • If you are taking a nonprescription medicine, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you feel you need to continue taking the medicine.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised April 27, 2011

Last Revised: April 27, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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