Amiodarone and the Sun

[riffjack846]

Does anyone on here take Amiodarone and go out in the sun? I want to get some color back to my skin and everywhere I read it says no sun and Amiodarone.

[BobD Volunteer]

Amiodarone increases the photosensitivity of skin so factor 50 cream highly advisable.

[Jalia]

I'm afraid that is how it is. I was a real sunworshipper before Amiodarone. I use a moisturise lotion with a tanning agent which gives a healthy glow to the skin even though I no longer take Amio. You can try and see how you go with factor 50 but do be careful. It is very easy to get a nasty burn if you do go out unprotected.

[4chickens]

I’m on Amiodarone and using factor 50. I’ve had to avoid the rarely seen midday sun but found I can sit out in the early morning and after about 4pm. I have developed a light tan but have also managed to burn my head where my parting is. Generally I burn easily anyway as I’m very light skinned.

[rubyred]

hi, I seem to be ok in the sunshine. But not been out in anything over 25 Celsius.

[Jalia in reply to rubyred]

You're very lucky!!

[oscarfox49]

I must admit that it was photosensitivity which particularly put me off Amiodarone when I was taking it. Just a few minutes in the sunshine (and I am a fanatical gardener and outdoor person) and I went bright red and looked burnt and I could not go on living like that. The other side effects which were also unpleasant and the fact it is incompatible with so many other medications had me begging my cardiologist to let me stop and go back to sotalol, which I did.

[ILowe]

I think serious side effects are most likely to kick in after you have taken about 30 grammes of the stuff. Not sure, but I used that figure to insist on stopping it.

[Ducky2003]

When I first started taking it, I had a bit of itching when I sat in the Sun but not anymore. I don't sit out for hours on end but do spend a bit of time in the car or out walking in the Sun without issue.I suppose its the same with any side effect. Some folks get them, some don't.🤷‍♀️

[Jajarunner]

I'm on amiodarone and always use factor 50 in the sun. I wear shorts, t-shirt and a hat so I do get a teemy bit of tan on my arms and legs. But I'm naturally pale and have had skin cancer hence my caution. Have read of others much less cautious without problems. Xx

[Desanthony]

You should always wear a high factor sun protection when using amiodorone and avoid exposure to the sun wherever possible. Having said this when I was on amiodorone for a short time after my second CV I did go out in the sun without protection and it caused no problems for me but I wouldn't advise it. Try using a fake tan?

[malaekahana]

I was on 200 mg a day, and I was worried about sun sensitivity after reading lots of comments on here, so I have been avoiding sun this summer. Now my vitamin D levels are low. 😒

But I have been going out recently and not noticing any problems. I use and SPF 30 on my face and 15 on my body, and no problems so far. But I live at the beach and have historically spent many, many hours in the sun. Not sure if that's a factor or if it's just individual predisposition ... I am also tapering off the amiodarone with hopes to be off completely in 6 weeks.

[Amiodaroneluck]

I wear a hat and high SPF. I also have a bit of natural melanin. And I'm very careful not to get burned. I am signficantly more sensitive to the sun