Minerva
BMJ 2005; 330 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.330.7505.1456 (Published 16 June 2005) Cite this as: BMJ 2005;330:1456All rapid responses
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I was surprised and interested at the fact that ciprofloxacin induced
photosensitivity is not widely reported.
In children with Cystic Fibrosis, oral ciprofloxacillin is often
prescribed for acute exacerbations associated with Pseudomonas
colonisation of the lungs. The associated photosensitivity is seen
frequently enough for us to routinely warn all patients about using
sunblock, and during the summer months, prescribe total block together
with ciprofloxacin to aid compliance in certain individuals.
I wonder if this effect is seen more often in children than adults,
or merely underreported, or both.
Mair Parry, Consultant Paediatrician, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re: Underreporting of ciprofloxacin and photosensitivity
Mair Parry, Consultant Paediatrician, in her Rapid Response of 23
June, enquires about the incidence of ciprofloxacin (cipro) induced
photosensitivity.
I can only offer personal experience, but as an adult with non-cystic
fibrosis severe bronchiectasis I have had repeated courses of cipro and it
does induce photosensitivity. Applying total sun block to stave off the
photosensitivity is time consuming, and the sun block seems to increase
the incidence of prickly heat symptoms.
On the other hand, cipro-induced insomnia usually ensures that I am
in no fit state to venture into the sunshine, so this may be viewed as a
self-correcting mechanism…
Stevie Gamble
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests