Methoxsalen

Methoxsalen improves skin reactivity to long-wavelength ultraviolet (UV) rays. It bonds covalently to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), resulting in the inhibition of DNA synthesis and suppression of cell division and epidermal turnover. This effect is used in photochemotherapy or psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy (PUVA) for the treatment of vitiligo or skin patches.

Use this medication precisely as recommended by your physician. Follow the prescription of your doctor carefully.

The medication dose given by your physician is based on your health conditions, other medications or food supplements taken, and your reaction to the treatment. To diminish risks for adverse effects, do not increase your dosage, thus take it regularly, or take it as instructed by your physician. Adverse events may still happen even at usual prescription dosages.

If your physician requests you to use this drug consistently, take it regularly to get the most benefits from it. To make you remember it better, take it at a fixed time every day.

Your doctor may need to modify your dosages to ease your symptoms or if you develop adverse reactions.

If you have any inquiries with regards to information, ask your physician or pharmacist.

Uses

Methoxsalen is used in the following conditions:

Repigmentation of vitiliginous areas
Psoriasis

This medicine may be recommended for different uses. Approach your physician or pharmacist for more information.

Warnings

Do not use Methoxsalen in people with the following conditions:

Aphakia
Existing or history of melanoma
Invasive squamous cell carcinoma
Photosensitivity diseases

Side Effects

Methoxsalen may have the following side effects:

Nausea
Insomnia
Nervousness
Depression
Mild transient erythema
Pruritus
Dizziness
Headache
Edema
Vesiculation
Acneiformeruption
Bulla formation
Severe skin pain
Altered skin or nail pigmentation
Onycholysis
Premature skin aging
Severe burns
Hypertrichosis

Potentially fatal:

Increased risk of malignant cutaneous neoplasms

Keep in mind that your physician has recommended this drug since he or she has known that the advantage to you is more significant than the risk of adverse reactions. Many individuals utilizing this medicine don’t have serious side effects.

A severe allergy to this medication is uncommon. In any case, seek emergency medical help if you see any manifestations of a serious allergic response, including a rash, tingling or swelling particularly of the face or tongue or throat, dizziness or difficulty in breathing.

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you see other effects not recorded above, contact your physician or pharmacist.

Precautions

Take extra caution in patients with the following medical conditions:

Patient exhibiting multiple basal cell carcinoma or history of basal cell carcinoma
Previous arsenic therapy
Previous x-ray or grenz ray therapy
Cardiac diseases or those unable to tolerate prolonged standing or exposure to heat stress
Gastrointestinal diseases or chronic infection
Hepatic impairment
Pregnancy and lactation

Prior in taking this medicine, tell your physician or pharmacist if you have allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions with the drug. This drug may contain inert ingredients which can cause unfavorable side effects or different issues. Talk with your pharmacist for more information.

Interactions

Methoxsalen may interact with the following medicines:

CYP2A6 isoenzyme
Systemic or topical photosensitising agents

Inform your physician about the drugs you take including over-the-counter medications, prescribed drugs, supplements and vitamins.

This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Approach your physician or pharmacist for more details.

The effects of certain medications can change if you consume different medications or herbal products simultaneously. This can build your risk for side effects or may cause your drugs not to work effectively. These interactions are possible, yet don’t generally happen. Your physician or pharmacist can prevent or oversee interactions by changing how you utilize your prescriptions or by close checking.

While utilizing this drug, don’t start, stop, or change the dose of other medicines you are using without your physician’s advice.

Overdose & Brands

If you think you have used Methoxsalen more than the usual dosage, please seek medical help immediately.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

Severe burning
Blistering of skin

Available Brands:

Uvadex
Oxsoralen-Ultra
8-MOP