Photosensitization by drugs.

UV irradiation (365 nm) of air-saturated methanol solutions of 20 drugs absorbing in the 300--400 nm region gave rise to oxygen uptake, as determined with a polarographic oxygen electrode. The drugs were tested for photosensitizing capability by either a Type I (free radical) or a Type II (single molecular oxygen) mechanism. This testing was done by the inclusion of either acrylamide or 2,5-dimethylfuran in the irradiated drug solution, with observation of the subsequent polymerization or oxidation, respectively. Phenothiazine and thiazide derivatives appear capable of photosensitization by both mechanisms; promethazine, trifluoperazine, and furosemide show relatively high reactivity. Diazepam (weak), hexachlorophene, aminacrine, pyrilamine, tetracycline, demeclocycline, quinine, and anthracene (strong) react only by a Type II mechanism, with a photosensitizing efficiency increasing in the order given. A correlation appears to exist with reports of in vivo photosensitivity.