Trioxsalen
Description
Trioxsalen is used along with an ultraviolet light in the treatment called psoralen plus ultraviolet light A (PUVA) to treat vitiligo, a condition characterized by loss of skin color. This medicine is also used to increase the tolerance of skin to sunlight.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Trioxsalen
- Blistering and peeling of skin
- Reddened and sore skin
- Swelling of feet or lower legs
- Itching of skin
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Mental depression
- Nervousness
- Trouble sleeping
Uses of Trioxsalen
What is it prescribed for?
- Vitiligo
- Increasing tolerance to sunlight
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time required for this medicine to show its action is about 6 months for vitiligo and about 1 hour for increasing the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
- Duration of effectThe time until which this medicine remains active in the body is about 8 hours when it is used to increase the sensitivity of skin to sunlight.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women since the safety and efficacy of use are not established.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women since the safety and efficacy of use are not established.
Porphyria
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of porphyria due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Acute autoimmune disease
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with an autoimmune disorder due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to trioxsalen or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women since the safety and efficacy of use are not established.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women since the safety and efficacy of use are not established.
General warnings
Allergy to sunlight
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known allergy to sunlight due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Discontinuation of therapy may be required based on the clinical condition.
Eye problems
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of eye problems due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of vision is recommended for such patients. Discontinuation of therapy may be required based on the clinical condition.
Gastrointestinal diseases
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or discontinuation of therapy may be required based on the clinical condition.
Melanoma or other skin cancer
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of melanoma or other skin cancer due to the increased risk of recurrent skin cancer. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Discontinuation of therapy may be required based on the clinical condition.
Renal impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. It is recommended to perform kidney function tests before beginning treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Inform the doctor immediately if you miss taking/applying a dose of Trioxsalen. Your doctor will instruct you on the further dosing schedule.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor immediately in case an overdose of this medicine 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
Tetracyclines
Phenothiazines
Disease interactions
Hepatic impairment
Trioxsalen should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases and active liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments, frequent liver function monitoring, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Heart Disease
Trioxsalen should be used with caution in patients with a history of heart diseases and active heart diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine in such patients. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
It is advised to avoid eating limes, figs, parsley, mustard, carrots, celery, etc. while using this medicine due to the risk of serious adverse effects such as bad burns or blisters. Your doctor/dietitian may suggest appropriate changes in your diet to avoid this interaction.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Tablets: Trioxsalen may be taken with meals or milk. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts that advised/prescribed.
Lotion: Apply Trioxsalen exactly as advised by the doctor. Do not apply in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed.
Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by increasing the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight or ultraviolet light.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Psoralens
Schedule
N/A
Human Metabolome Database: Showing metabocard for Trioxsalen (HMDB0015575) [Internet]. Hmdb.ca. 2017 [cited 11 September 2017]. Available from:
Trioxsalen [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 11 September 2017]. Available from:
Trioxsalen - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 11 September 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 14 Sep 2017
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.