8-methoxy psoralen

Methoxsalen is used for:

Treating vitiligo and severe psoriasis. It is also used to treat skin problems associated with a certain type of lymphoma. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Methoxsalen is a psoralen. It works by making the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. It appears that this sensitivity results in damage to the skin cells when UV light treatment is given. Damaged skin cells grow more slowly and the rate of tissue growth is reduced.

                    Use Methoxsalen as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

    * Take Methoxsalen with low-fat food or milk.

    * Take Methoxsalen before UVA exposure according to your doctor's instructions. The amount of time you take Methoxsalen before UVA exposure depends on the condition being treated.

    * If nausea occurs, take Methoxsalen in 2 divided doses 30 minutes apart.

    * If you miss a dose of Methoxsalen , check with your doctor because it may be necessary to reschedule your light therapy.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Methoxsalen

                      .    * Methoxsalen may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Methoxsalen . Using Methoxsalen alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.

    * Different brands of this drug are not interchangeable because they have significant differences in how they act in the body.

    * Do not sunbathe for at least 24 hours before receiving Methoxsalen and light therapy. After your treatment, avoid any exposure to sunlight for at least 8 hours. This includes indirect light through a window or on cloudy days. If you can not avoid exposure to sunlight, wear protective clothing, or use a sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or greater, as directed by your doctor. Protect all areas of the body, including lips, from sun exposure. Do not sunbathe or use a tanning booth without checking with your doctor and wait at least 48 hours after your treatment.

    * Serious burns from either UV light or sunlight (even through a window glass) can occur if the recommended doses of Methoxsalen or exposure schedules are not maintained.

    * To protect your eyes, wear special wrap-around sunglasses that absorb UVA during daylight hours for 24 hours after taking Methoxsalen . Regular sunglasses do not adequately protect your eyes because they allow light to enter from the side.

    * You will need to have an eye exam before starting Methoxsalen . You will also need to have an eye exam once a year thereafter.

    * Exposure to sunlight or UV radiation may cause early aging of the skin.

    * During treatment with Methoxsalen and UVA light, wear total UVA absorbing/blocking goggles designed to provide maximal protection of the eyes.

    * Protect stomach skin, breasts, genitals, and other sensitive areas for about one third of the exposure time until tanning occurs.Unless affected by disease, male genitals should be shielded.

    * Be careful using Methoxsalen with other light-sensitizing medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications: anthralin, coal tar and derivatives, griseofulvin, phenothiazines, nalidixic acid, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, halogenated salicylanilides, bacteriostatic soaps, staining dyes (eg, methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, methyl orange), sulfonamides, tetracyclines, or thiazide diuretics.

    * LAB TESTS, including complete blood cell counts and liver and kidney function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

    * Use Methoxsalen with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.

    * Use Methoxsalen with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.

    * PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Methoxsalen during pregnancy. It is unknown if Methoxsalen is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Methoxsalen , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

                             Store Methoxsalen at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Methoxsalen out of the reach of children and away from pets.