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Methoxsalen
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Description
Methoxsalen is a skin-sensitizing agent that is used along with ultraviolet light for the treatment of skin diseases such as vitiligo and psoriasis, as well as for the treatment of a certain type of cancer called cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Methoxsalen
Redness of skin
Itching
Nausea
Trouble sleeping
Darkening of skin
Low blood pressure
Blistering and peeling of skin
Swelling in the arms or legs
Uses of Methoxsalen
What is it prescribed for?
Vitiligo
This medicine is used for the treatment of vitiligo, a skin condition characterized by loss of skin color in patches.
Psoriasis
This medicine is used for the treatment of psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by excessive scaling, dryness, rashes, and itching of the skin.
Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma
This medicine is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells and attacks the skin.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The effect of this medicine can be observed within 1 to 3 hours of administration of the dose.Duration of effect
The amount of time for which this medicine remains active is subject to vary based on the dosage form and individual constitution.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies were reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using/receiving this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.Usage while breast-feeding?
Oral and Extracorporeal dosage forms: This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding for a specific period of time during treatment with this medicine. Topical forms: This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. If the medicine is used, care should be taken such that the infant does not come into contact with the medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to methoxsalen, any psoralen compounds, or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Aphakia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from aphakia due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Melanoma
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a history of melanoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with invasive squamous cell carcinomas due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using/receiving this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
Oral and Extracorporeal dosage forms: This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding for a specific period of time during treatment with this medicine.
Topical forms: This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. If the medicine is used, care should be taken such that the infant does not come into contact with the medicine.
General warnings
Driving and operating machinery
This medicine may affect the ability to drive and operate machines. Hence, the patient should not drive or operate machines immediately after the treatment.
Aging of skin and skin burning
After receiving treatment with this medicine and ultra-violet light, further exposure to sunlight and/or ultraviolet radiation may result in premature aging of the skin as well as serious burns. Patients should take all precautionary measures, as advised by the doctor, including covering the skin, using a sun blocking agent, wearing sunglasses, etc. in case they need to go outdoors.
Carcinogenicity
The use of this medicine and ultraviolet radiation therapy significantly increases the risk of cancer. This risk is especially higher in patients with a previous history of cancer or radiation therapy. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using/receiving this medicine.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 12 years of age. However, even for patients under the age of 18 years, it should be used only if the benefits significantly outweigh the risks and only under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. However, since this medicine is usually given in multiple cycles, if you miss a scheduled dose of this medicine, call your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Griseofulvin
Tizanidine
Prochlorperazine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Always take this medicine with milk or low-fat foods to increase tolerability. Avoid eating foods such as limes, figs, parsley, carrots, etc. during treatment with this medicine.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Use/Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all the instructions given on the label/package insert. The oral form of this medicine should be taken with food or milk. Do not sunbathe for 24 hours before using/receiving Methoxsalen and having the UVA light treatment. For 24 hours following the treatment, avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). You are advised to take all precautionary measures such as wearing protective clothing, wearing a sunblock, wearing sunglasses, etc. if you need to go outdoors within 24 hours of therapy.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine acts upon the DNA of the skin cells to bring about its therapeutic effects.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antipsoriatics, Psoralens
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Mhra.gov.uk. 2018 [cited 31 July 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2018 [cited 31 July 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Tsft.nhs.uk. 2018 [cited 31 July 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Aug 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.