Brand name:
Oxsoralen (Oxsoralen (methoxsalen))

US Brand Names : 8-Mop Oxsoralen-Ultra

Description

Oxsoralen (methoxsalen) belongs to the group of medicines called psoralens. It is used along with ultraviolet light (found in sunlight and some special lamps) in a treatment called PUVA to treat vitiligo, a disease in which skin color is lost, and psoriasis, a skin condition associated with red and scaly patches.

Oxsoralen (methoxsalen) is also used with ultraviolet light in the treatment of white blood cells. This treatment is called photopheresis and is used to treat the skin problems associated with mycosis fungoides, which is a type of lymphoma.

Oxsoralen (methoxsalen) may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in the product labeling, Oxsoralen (methoxsalen) is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Before Using Oxsoralen (methoxsalen)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Oxsoralen (methoxsalen) is a very strong medicine that increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. In addition to causing serious sunburns if not properly used, it has been reported to increase the chance of skin cancer and cataracts. Also, like too much sunlight, PUVA can cause premature aging of the skin. Therefore, Oxsoralen (methoxsalen) should be used only as directed and it should not be used simply for suntanning. Before using this medicine, be sure that you have discussed its use with your doctor.

Allergies Oxsoralen (methoxsalen)

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric Oxsoralen (methoxsalen)

Some of the side effects are more likely to occur in children up to 12 years of age, since these children may be more sensitive to the effects of Oxsoralen (methoxsalen).

Geriatric Oxsoralen (methoxsalen)

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of Oxsoralen (methoxsalen) in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category Explanation
All Trimesters C Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding : There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions :Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions :Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems:The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Allergy to sunlight (or family history of) or
Infection or
Lupus erythematosus or
Porphyria or
Skin cancer (history of) or
Skin conditions (other) or
Stomach problems—Use of PUVA may make the condition worse

Eye problems, such as cataracts or loss of the lens of the eye—The light treatment may make the condition worse or may cause damage to the eye

Heart or blood vessel disease (severe)—The heat or prolonged standing associated with each light treatment may make the condition worse . Liver disease—Condition may cause increased blood levels