You may want to have a chat with your pharmacist before you hit the beach, lake, ballpark or even the hammock for some fun in the sun this summer. Certain medications can increase your sensitivity to skin damage from the sun. 

“Antibiotics, such as tetracycline and Cipro, the diuretic hydrocholorothiazide, which is prescribed by itself or in a combination blood pressure medication, and oral diabetes medications, such asglyburide, glipizide, glimepiride are all examples of medications that can cause adverse effects from exposure to the sun,” cautions Lindsey Stephens, Director of Best Practices at the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy chain. “Other medications you must be cautious about are topical acne medicines such as Retin A, as well as procedures like microderm abrasion, both of which uncover fresh skin cells that are more prone to burns.”

But even if you are taking one of these drugs, you don’t have to retreat to a vampire lifestyle this summer. It’s the ultraviolet (UV) component of sunlight that triggers the adverse drug reaction that can result in sunburn or skin rashes. You can minimize your risk by staying out of the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), wearing protective clothing and applying a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 (buy one that contains zinc oxide, titanium oxide or avobenzone, which shield against both UVA and UVB rays).

Not everyone taking a medication that increases photosensitivity will be affected equally, but check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out if you could be at risk. And yes, it’s also a good time to remember other reasons to be wary of the sun. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 62,190 new cases of melanoma skin cancer in 2006, a 4.3% increase over last year and more than double the rate of just 20 years ago.