SunBlock 50+

[Von19]

I have just started on Amiodarone and have been advised not to go out in the sun and use sun block 50 + which my doctor won't prescribe I know other people have been prescribed this and would be grateful if they would tell me which county they live in so I can go back and do battle! Thank you

[Annekw]

Hi I was on Amiodarone for 6months last year,I just bought my own Sun-block,but I also bought some long sleeved,cheap tops to cover arms,because Sun damage is really not nice !

Wear a floppy hat,I was on holiday in Spain,bit of a pain really,but I did manage pool swimming and sitting I the shade!

Also don't forget to cream your hands!

Good Luck!

[Hidden]

Hospital pharmacist told me it was available on prescription and I live in West Sussex.

Sandra

[Hidden]

I saw a skin cancer specialist recently. She told me that sun creams have little effect after a very short time, even factor 50. She told me to cover up as the only way serious to guard against too much sun. I have vitiligo, which is why I asked, not that I'm on the drug you mention.

I do look funny on the beach with hat and gloves on !!!!

Koll

[Mrspat]

I was on Amiodarone for 7 years and no one ever offered me 50+ on prescription. I only used it very occasionally. With so many demands on the public purse, there are some things we should be prepared to provide for ourselves. There is a free alternative available. As Koll suggested above, cover up and keep out of the sun.

[Steve112]

Covering up is a simpler way of creating a sun block long sleeves floppy hat etc etc.... but if Sunblock is required then many supermarkets all have various special offers many at £3 per 100ml for factor 50+..so much better than doing battle with any GP causing stress and stretching an already under resourced NHS any further....

[PeterWh in reply to Steve112]

Watch out for some of the cheap makes - they are cheap because they are not as effective.

Look up Which?

[CDreamer]

I am on another drug which also carries high risk of skin cancers and was told to stay out of the sun entirely and that sun blocks are not effective, I did/would not even think of asking for them on prescription as I would consider that a lifestyle choice rather than a medication.

There was a very good report on SF factors and their effectiveness in Which a few months ago and after reading that I decided to forget about using them as has been said above, none came out very well, so now cover up and stay out of the sun. I do use an excellent face cream which is a sun screen that I bought in Spain but more to try stop the wrinkles than anything else!

When I did use a sun screen I used PF40 which is quite expensive but it was the only one I didn't burn with when I spent a lot of time in the tropics. Interestingly it was slated by the Which report.

[EricW]

EricW

My Doctor in West Sussex was keen to prescribe. Keep at it. Incidentally although I was very nervous of the sun at first I now spend hours outside without a problem. I do however wear a broad rimmed hat and use the sunblock in direct sunlight. I would guess that some people are lucky and less affected by the sun whilst on this drug than others. Hope it works for you. Eric

[Von19 in reply to EricW]

Thanks that was reassuring I don't suppose it helps as I am not happy being on the drug after possible side effects were fully explained to me

[ceejayblue]

I recommend Ultrasun SPF 50 once a day, I'm very fair skinned and burn easily without it. If you are somewhere extremely hot, top up at midday but take lots of shade breaks. I get great deals on mine from QVC but M&S sell it too.

[Von19 in reply to ceejayblue]

Thanks That's really helpful

[Mickey16]

Hi Von19 - I took Amiodarone and my advice is keep a close eye on yourself as if you are someone who reacts to this medicine, it does not suit everyone. Read the leaflet provided carefully and monitor yourself closely.

Mickey16

[higgy52]

Leicestershire, I work outside all day in sun and i am on Amioderone, put a bit of cream on nose ,keep hat on, my arms and face are really brown but the rest of me is white, Just got some cream from savers £4.99 that will last me all summer

[Von19]

That's most reasuring Thanks

[Hidden]

I got sunburn wearing factor 50 , and I was still inside the house, sitting by a double glazed window. That was in February.

Thankfully I'm off the amiodorone now, but whereas I never used to burn, I found myself hiding from the sunshine yesterday as my face was going pink after only a short spell in the sunshine with factor 30 on

Be very careful with amiodorone!

[Von19 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I will