Amiodarone and sunlight side effects

[Mark41]

Hi, does or has anyone on here any experience of side effects with amiodarone and sunlight exposure? I've been taking it since May and I'm going on a beach holiday to the Greek island of Kos next week (holiday was booked before I knew I would be on this medication). I've been warned that, due to the toxicity of the drug, exposure to sunlight can cause skin to change colour (blue and/or grey) and this is irreversible. I've just had a week in Vegas which was very hot and sunny but not really an outdoor type holiday so was pretty easy to restrict my exposure. Kos is going to be a lot more difficult and I'm interested to know other people's experiences and any possible tips. Many thanks.

[Jollies]

When I was on amiodarone I was warned to stay out of the sun. To apply factor 50 sun cream and keep arms and legs covered and to wear a sun hat. I went to Turkey a month after being prescribed amiodarone and stayed in the shade with factor 50 and remained covered up!

[Hidden]

I've been on Amiodarone during a hot UK summer.....advise you not to deliberately sunbathe and do wear a sun hat.

Keep body lightly clothed as you will be super sensitive to the rays. Use factor 50 sun cream. You are not likely to suddenly go blue or grey ( not a good look ). I used to wear chiffony cover ups but possibly not your style so opt for cotton!

Enjoy your hols.

Sandra

[Mark41 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I don't have much in the way of chiffony cover ups but might be better than looking like a smurf!!

Got a hat and the strongest sun block I could find... going to keep in the shade and cover up as much as possible apart from when I'm in the sea with the kids. Thanks again!

[jeanjeannie50]

I knew someone who was on Amiodarone for about 8 years, he never read the instruction leaflet and had no idea that he was meant to stay out of the sun. He had what I would call a ruddy complexion, nothing awful about it at all. He may just have been fortunate of course.

Jean

[Maunei]

I spent a month in Majorca whilst still on Amiodarone. I used factor 50 and occasionally sat in the sun but under partial shade and was OK; no obvious side effects although you do burn more easily if you forget to reapply protection cream regularly.

[Topcat0800]

I was on amiodarone last summer and didn't heed the advice about factor 50 ended up in A&E with 2nd degree burns to face arms and legs, don't want to spoil your holiday but be careful and use a good sun block

[Mark41 in reply to Topcat0800]

Blimey.... 😏

Thanks, caution first I suppose, won't be on it forever!

[Topcat0800 in reply to Mark41]

Hopefully you won't be kept on it long term,I have now been put on Dronedarone does a similar job but without the sun problems,Chin up and don't let it grind you down.

[Mark41 in reply to Topcat0800]

That's interesting that there's an alternative. In fairness though, it's worked wonders for me and haven't really had any side effects to talk of with any medications, feel lucky

[Nanchester in reply to Topcat0800]

Hi I have just started with dronedrone in July can I ask how you are coping with this please

[Topcat0800 in reply to Nanchester]

Hi, have been on Dronedarone for about 9 months and thankfully no side effects from this drug.Hopefully will be the same for you, Good Luck.

[Nanchester in reply to Topcat0800]

Hi Topcat thanks I'm still having AF but not as strong as b4 having regular blood tests, so I will c how it goes... cardiology app. In 5months thanks

[Topcat0800 in reply to Nanchester]

Hi, sounds like they are keeping an eye on you, good luck with your cardiology appointment, is this with a cardiologist or an EP? Hope it's the latter as they are more qualified in dealing with AF and all its problems.

[Nanchester in reply to Topcat0800]

Hi I had an Ablation in 2014 and it had to be abandoned (tamponade) so I have been struggling and trying to pluck up courage to c another EP, so trying this new med. 4 six months then to c my cardiologist,thank you for your comments 😀

[g2803 in reply to Mark41]

20 years and counting

[seasider18]

A friend had a grey/blue face and neck but it went back to normal when he stopped it.

[starry-eyes]

Wear water / sweat resistant sun block and re-apply every two hours

[RaySyl]

I had a holiday a few years ago in Turkey whilst on Amiodorone. I didn't change colour, apart from developing a golden suntan, but the back of my hands became swollen and itchy. Whether this was a side effect is unclear.

[sturobby in reply to RaySyl]

Same with me. Plenty of factor 50, but the back of my hands swelled up and feel like they are on fire, cannot seem to stop the itching.

[Lindaoreilly77]

I had 2 lovely blisters under my eyes where I never applied enough sun cream, looked like I had extremely bad bags lol. . make sure you keep reapplying your sun cream 😊 more importantly enjoy your holiday😊

[Mark41 in reply to Lindaoreilly77]

Ok thanks, good to know... ☀️🚷

If I'd have known I'd have booked North Wales instead! ☔️

[Ladysue]

Hello Mark that is so true I am light skinned and didn't no about the exposure to sun liight would be a problem I get so so dark yout would not believe. B email sure to use sUn block with a SPF of 50 all the best

[Mark41 in reply to Ladysue]

Thank you

[soberhoumom]

Hello!

I experienced photo-sensitivity immediately after taking Amiodarone. Max time in the sun for me was 10 minutes. Once burned, my skin would get blotchy brown spots. I also got rosacia all over my face.