Ubidecarenone for the prevention of polymorphic light eruption and solar urticaria

Ubidecarenone (coenzyme Q) is a lipidsoluble quinone with anti-oxidative properties, which exerts a scavenger effect on oxygen free radicals. The effectiveness of ubidecarenone in modifying cutaneous reaction to light was evaluated in 7 patients with solar urticaria and 8 with polymorphic light eruption. The diagnosis was made for each patient by inducing lesions through phototests. Ubidecarenone was administered per os at a daily dose of 100 mg for 2 months. At the end of the treatment the phototests indicated the absence or reduction of skin photosensitivity in the majority of patients. These results suggest that ubidecarenone may be useful for the treatment of idiopathic photodermatitis.