Sunsense on prescription

[MrGrey1234]

Hi all, is sunsense still available on prescription for people with lupus, if not is there an alternative thankyou guys 🥰

[Cathyan]

As far as I know it’s still unavailable here after Australia halted exports here while it was reformulated. I noticed yesterday that my GP surgery has taken it off my list of repeat prescriptions so I expect a fight to get it back on prescription once it’s available again. I think Uvistat is the commonly prescribed alternative but it’s a thick white formulation and has an unattractive odour in my opinion.

[smudge1980 in reply to Cathyan]

I ordered Sunsense on my repeat prescriptions last wk only to be told by Boots yesterday that it's still unavailable and their discontinuing it on their supplie list. So I'm expecting it to come of my repeats also. For some month's I've been buying Boots own brand of Soltan for baby's and found it very agreeable to my skin.

[Rosiaz in reply to smudge1980]

I also found the Boots Sultan 50 for babies effective and easy to use.

[victhevic]

I put in my repeat last week and have only been told it’s out of stock not that’s it’s not available . My pharmacy managed to order me a much larger size last year after waiting weeks for it to appear. Very frustrating. So it looks like asking for an alternative on prescription might be a good idea. If anyone can suggest one I d be grateful

[Maddymay65]

Morning ,I too cannot get hold of it. So I was advised to try Uvistat 50. It comes in a 125ml tube (so unfortunately no good for carry on.) My Gp has prescribed it and I use that. It is thicker than Sunsense. A bit Claggy I think is the right word ! Not sure on spelling ! But it works and I don’t burn . It is fragrance free too. The bottle is lasting well. (See pic. Below on left)

I have still managed to get hold of the odd bottle of Sunsense daily face 50+ which is great. This is the one with invisible tint finish and again fragrance free. In the summer I wear it with a little powder instead of makeup when I go out . Or you can wear it under foundation as double protection . If you see it nab it . Some chemists still have it . Hope this helps . And for anyone struggling to get this prescribed ,if you are UV sensitive, suncream is a necessity to stop you getting ill , a necessity not a luxury and therefore should be prescribed alongside other meds. Good luck, stay safe M x

Uvistat suncream 50 (on left) Sunsense Daily Face 50+ (on right)

[Willow1414]

Hi MrGrey

I’ve always struggled with my prescription of sun protection .

My doctor says none is available to prescribe , chemists won’t order in . ?

I have to keep providing the information regarding prescribing for lupus . Even my doctor wrote to a dermatologist asking if I should only be prescribed in the summer months . 😳Seems the system is failing us with an essential part treatment .

La Ros posey is the next alternative to prescribe , sold at boots and can get on prescription , but you really do need to insist . I’m extremely photo sensitive . Have SLE and Ro52 anti body among a lot lot diagnosed conditions .

Even when I’ve picked up sun protection cream on prescription , Ive had many a negative comment from pharmacists . ????

Telling me it’s on the black list etc etc etc .

Really sick of trying to explain my condition , to pharmacists and JP s

🦋❤️

[smudge]

Hi Mr Grey I think that all you can is keep requesting for it and the same with anything else you need. Unfortunately we all hit barriers of one kind or another but keep persevering.

Does anyone know when the Sun sense was added because I was only ever offered the Uvistat which I found too difficult to rub in so I went without.

All the best to everyone trying to get what you need x

[Maddymay65 in reply to smudge]

MorningWhen Sunsense was available I have had the body 50+ on prescription for years , never the face one I buy that. I can definitely think back to 2010 I was getting it then even maybe before. I think if you can get a script from your diagnosis hospital then that helps. That’s where mine started. I was diagnosed in 2005

Good luck M x

[smudge in reply to Maddymay65]

Oh wow, I was diagnosed in 2010 and even ask about it back then and was only offered Uvistat. Unfortunately I don't think it would help as I never even got the Vit D meds I needed when the hospital sent a script to my GPs for that, I had to buy over the counter and it took more than 6 months for my levels to be normal! It's very much shut up and put up here!Thank you for your response Maddymay65 x

[fabwheelie]

Sun Sense should be available on prescription, some people have to get their consultant to confirm the "medical need", as certain CCG areas are quite reluctant to let people have it.

At the moment there does seem to be a problem with supply from manufacturers, ( was a problem in summer 2021 but that was supposed to be resolved by now)

My pharmacy can normally get me Sun Sense factor 50, but currently saying "Manufacturer cannot supply (MCS)" that was for both the Sensitive version, and the ultra version they make. I tried getting prescription change to the Uvistat factor 50 as an alternative, but apparently that's not currently in stock either.

Not sure if it will work, but my pharmacy suggested check if GP can temporarily change my prescription to Eucerin SPF 50, which they think is available, but were not sure if it is actually available on prescription, as all sunscreen is considered a "borderline item" so you have to fit criteria to get it, and only certain sunscreens are on the list that can be prescribed.

I believe all SLE patients do fit that criteria, the Uvistat and Sun Sense my GP will prescribe for me so I'll try discuss alternative prescription ones with them.

Chanpreet_Walia or Paul_Howard Please

is it possible for Lupus UK to find out details regarding supply, when likely to be restored, plus if there are other makes of SPF factor 50 ( or above), available on prescription, thank you.

[Tykle]

I'm prescribed Uvistat, which seems to work.

[MrGrey1234]

My pharmacist's is saying they can't get hold if any sun cream on prescription

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi MrGrey1234,

The last update we received from SunSense was that their sunscreen is now only available to purchase and not available on prescription.

Below, are alternative that can be prescribed via your doctor:

- LA Roche-Posay Anthelios®

- XL SPF 50+ Cream;

- Uvistat® Lipscreen SPF 50

- Uvistat® Suncream SPF 30 and 50

Best wishes,

Chanpreet

[Weekendinbrighton in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Thank you for that information, l have been worrying about getting alternatives to Sunsense Ultra 50 + since my doctor stopped prescribing it. My consultant did write twice to my doctor but it made no difference. I really think GP's should have training with regard to lupus as from my experience with my GP's don't have a clue.