PSORALENS

Brand & Generic Names

8-Mop
METHOXSALEN
Methoxsalen Lotion (Topical)
Oxsoralen
Oxsoralen-Ultra
Oxsoralen (Topical)
TRIOXSALEN
Trisoralen
UltraMOP

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Repigmenting agent (psoralen)

Uses

• Repigmenting skin affected with vitiligo (absence of skin pigment).
• Treatment for psoriasis, when other treatments haven't helped.
• Treatment for mycosis fungoides.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take or apply:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.
Topical--As directed by doctor.

When to take or apply:
2 to 4 hours before exposure to sunlight or sunlamp.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Delay sun exposure for at least 2 hours after taking.

What drug does:
Helps pigment cells when used in conjunction with ultraviolet light.

Time lapse before drug works:
For vitiligo, 6 to 9 months.
For psoriasis, 10 weeks or longer.
For tanning, 3 to 4 days.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine which causes skin sensitivity to sun. Ask pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Blistering skin, swelling feet and legs.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

• Increased skin sensitivity to sun.
• Increased eye sensitivity to sunlight.
• Nausea.

Infrequent:

• Skin red and sore.
• Dizziness, headache, depression, leg cramps, insomnia.

Rare:

Hepatitis with jaundice, blistering and peeling.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any other psoralen.
• You are unwilling or unable to remain under close medical supervision.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have heart or liver disease.
• If you have allergy to sunlight.
• If you have cataracts.
• If you have albinism.
• If you have lupus erythematosis, porphyria, chronic infection, skin cancer or peptic ulcer.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you have skin cancer.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:

• Increased chance of toxic effects.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check ANA titers*, complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function, kidney function, eyes.

Skin & sunlight:
Too much can burn skin. Cover skin for 24 hours before and 8 hours following treatments.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected. Protect eyes and skin from bright light.

Discontinuing:
Skin may remain sensitive for some time after treatment stops. Use extra protection from sun.

Others:

• Use sunblock on lips.
• Don't use just to make skin tan.
• Don't use hard gelatin capsules interchangeably with soft gelatin capsules.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Photosensitizing	Greatly increased likelihood
medications*	of extreme sensitivity to
	sunlight.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	May increase chance of liver
	toxicity.
Lime drinks.	Avoid--toxic.
Cocaine:	Increased chance of toxicity.
	Avoid.
Those containing	May cause toxic reaction to
furocoumarin (limes,	psoralens.
Marijuana:	Increased chance of toxicity.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	May cause uneven absorption of
	medicine. Avoid.