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Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
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Some commonly used brand names are:
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In Canada—
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Note: | For quick reference, the following sunscreen agents are numbered to match the corresponding brand names. |
This information applies to the following medicines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
§ Generic name product may be available in Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Not commercially available in the U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
† Not commercially available in Canada |
Sunscreen agents are used to prevent sunburn. Limiting your exposure to the sun and using sunscreen agents when in the sun may help prevent early wrinkling and skin cancer. There are two kinds of sunscreen agents: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreen agents protect you from the sun by absorbing the ultraviolet (UV) and visible sun rays, while physical sunscreen agents reflect, scatter, absorb, or block these rays.
Sunscreen agents often contain more than one ingredient. For example, products may contain one ingredient that provides protection against the ultraviolet A (UVA) sun rays and another ingredient that protects you from the ultraviolet B (UVB) sun rays, which are more likely to cause sunburn than the UVA sun rays. Ideally, coverage should include protection against both UVA and UVB sun rays.
The sun protection factor (SPF) that you find on the label of these products tells you the minimum amount of UVB sunlight that is needed with that product to produce redness on sunscreen-protected skin as compared with unprotected skin. Sunscreen products with high SPFs will provide more protection against the sun.
Sunscreen agents are available in the following dosage forms:
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For sunscreen agents, the following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to any of the sunscreen agents. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to artificial sweeteners (e.g., saccharin [Sweet and Low]); anesthetics (e.g., benzocaine [Americaine], procaine [Novocaine], tetracaine [Pontocaine]); oral antidiabetics (diabetes medicine you take by mouth); hair dyes containing aniline or paraphenylenediamine; sulfa medicines; thiazide diuretics (a certain type of water pill); cinnamon derivatives used in flavorings, medicines, perfumes, or toothpastes; or to any other substances, such as foods or preservatives.
Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.
Breast-feeding—Sunscreen agents have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children—Infants under 6 months of age should be kept out of the sun. Sunscreen agents should not be used on infants under 6 months of age because of increased chance of side effects. Children 6 months of age and older should be kept out of the sun or have limited exposure to the sun. Sunscreen agents with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 should be applied during exposure to the sun. Lotion sunscreen products are preferred for use in children. Alcohol-based sunscreen products should be avoided because they can cause irritation.
Older adults—It is believed that the elderly, who spend little time in the sun and use sunscreen agents frequently, may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency (which may result in bone disease and fracture), although this has not been proven. To help you get enough vitamin D, it is recommended that you eat food rich in vitamin D, such as fortified milk or fatty fish. Your doctor may also advise you to take vitamin D supplements. Check with your doctor about this.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines and products should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines or products may be used together even if an interaction may occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine or other product that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.
Sunscreen agents are for external use only. These products usually come with patient directions. Read them carefully before using any product.
In choosing the sunscreen product, you may consider the following:
Skin Type (complexion) | Appropriate
Sunscreen Agent |
Very fair—Always burns easily; rarely tans | Use SPF 20 to 30 |
Fair—Always burns easily; tans minimally | Use SPF 12 to 20 |
Light—Burns moderately; tans gradually (light brown) | Use SPF 8 to 12 |
Medium—Burns minimally; always tans well (moderate brown) | Use SPF 4 to 8 |
Dark—Rarely burns; tans profusely (dark brown) | Use SPF 2 to 4 |
Before every exposure to the sun, apply an appropriate sunscreen product that protects you against ultraviolet sun rays. For maximum sun protection, sunscreens should be applied uniformly and thickly to all exposed skin surfaces (including the lips, using lip sunscreen or lip balm). Sunscreen products containing aminobenzoic acid, lisadimate, padimate O, or roxadimate should be applied 1 to 2 hours before sun exposure. Other sunscreen products should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, unless otherwise directed by the package instructions. Lip sunscreens should be applied 45 to 60 minutes before sun exposure.
Because most sunscreens are easily removed from the skin, you should reapply these products liberally every 1 to 2 hours for adequate protection. You should reapply sunscreen especially after swimming or heavy perspiration. Lip sunscreens should be reapplied liberally at least once every hour while you are in the sun and also before and after swimming, after eating and drinking, and during other activities that remove it from the lips.
Keep sunscreen products away from the eyes.
Some sunscreen agents contain alcohol and are flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.
Dosing—
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose of sunscreen agents.
Storage—
To store this product:
If rash or irritation develops, stop using the sunscreen and check with your doctor.
Sunscreen agents containing aminobenzoic acid, lisadimate, padimate O, or roxadimate may discolor and stain light-colored fabrics yellow.
In addition to using sunscreen agents, it is advisable to minimize exposure to the sun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daylight savings time) when the sun is at its strongest. Take extra precautions also on cloudy or overcast days and around reflective surfaces such as concrete, sand, snow, or water, since these surfaces can reflect the sun's damaging rays. Wear protective clothing including a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. Sunglasses also should be worn to avoid sun damage to the eyes (cataract formation). Avoid sunlamps and tanning parlors because these can damage the skin and eyes as direct sunlight can.
Along with its needed effects, sunscreen products may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the product. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Copyright© 2003 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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Page last updated: 22 October 2004 |