Sunscreen Agents (Topical)

Before Using This Product

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For sunscreen agents, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to any of the sunscreen agents. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to artificial sweeteners (e.g., saccharin [Sweet and Low]); anesthetics (e.g., benzocaine [Americaine], procaine [Novocaine], tetracaine [Pontocaine]); oral antidiabetics (diabetes medicine you take by mouth); hair dyes containing aniline or paraphenylenediamine; sulfa medicines; thiazide diuretics (a certain type of water pill); cinnamon derivatives used in flavorings, medicines, perfumes, or toothpastes; or to any other substances, such as foods or preservatives.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—Sunscreen agents have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Infants under 6 months of age should be kept out of the sun. Sunscreen agents should not be used on infants under 6 months of age because of increased chance of side effects. Children 6 months of age and older should be kept out of the sun or have limited exposure to the sun. Sunscreen agents with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 should be applied during exposure to the sun. Lotion sunscreen products are preferred for use in children. Alcohol-based sunscreen products should be avoided because they can cause irritation.

Older adults—It is believed that the elderly, who spend little time in the sun and use sunscreen agents frequently, may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency (which may result in bone disease and fracture), although this has not been proven. To help you get enough vitamin D, it is recommended that you eat food rich in vitamin D, such as fortified milk or fatty fish. Your doctor may also advise you to take vitamin D supplements. Check with your doctor about this.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines and products should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines or products may be used together even if an interaction may occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine or other product that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of sunscreen agents. Make sure you tell your health care professional if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Skin conditions or diseases, especially those caused or worsened by exposure to light—Worsening of skin condition may occur