Methoxsalen-oral

• Methoxsalen is a naturally occurring photoactive chemical found in the seeds of the Ammi majus (Umbelliferae) plant and in the roots of Heraclem candicans. It belongs to a group of compounds known as psoralens, or furocoumarins. It is used for treating psoriasis, idiopathic vitiligo (leucoderma) and cutaneous (skin) manifestations of T-cell lymphoma. The exact mechanism of action of methoxsalen is not known.
• Methoxsalen has several biological actions that may be responsible for its medical effects. Ultraviolet radiation of 320-400 nm wavelength (UVA) is beneficial for treating psoriasis, vitiligo, and skin manifestations of T-cell lymphoma. Methoxsalen is a photosensitizer that increases the reaction of the skin to UVA. Methoxsalen also combines with DNA in skin cells. Upon administration, methoxsalen reaches the skin via blood. When UVA penetrates the skin, cellular damage occurs, leading to inflammation. The damaged skin heals after several days to weeks.
• Some experts suggest that methoxsalen improves vitiligo by stimulating melanocytes (melanin forming skin cells) to move up the hair follicle and to repopulate the epidermis. Psoriasis causes an over production of skin cells. Methoxsalen may benefit psoriasis by decreasing skin cell production by damaging DNA.
• The FDA approved methoxsalen capsules in December 1954.

• Use of drugs that cause sun sensitivity will increase the risk of severe skin burns when using methoxsalen. Examples of such drugs include coal tar or coal tar derivatives, doxycycline (Vibramycin), tetracycline, demeclocycline, methylene blue (Provayblue), griseofulvin (Gris-PEG), thiazide diuretics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and several other drugs.

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Before taking methoxsalen, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: conditions that make you sensitive to light (such as lupus, certain porphyrias, xeroderma pigmentosum, albinism), skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas), removal of natural lens in the eye, coal tar/UVB treatment, radiation treatment, arsenic treatment, cataracts, liver disease, heart disease, kidney disease.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.

To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: other medications that may make your skin sensitive to light (such as anthralin, coal tar, griseofulvin, sulfa antibiotics including sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolone antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, thiazide diuretics including hydrochlorothiazide, tetracycline antibiotics including doxycycline).

This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose include: severe reddening of skin, blistering/burning/peeling of skin.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as eye exams, complete blood count, kidney/liver function) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

This medication is taken only before a UVA light treatment. If you forget to take your dose as scheduled or miss a treatment, contact your doctor right away to reschedule your treatment.

Storage

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.