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Healthnotes Index:

Methoxsalen

This form:

Pronounced

"meh-THOCK-sull-in"

Common brand names:

Oxsoralen Ultra

Uses

This medication is used along with controlled ultraviolet light (UVA) to help control severe psoriasis. It may also be used for other skin conditions (vitiligo, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma-CTCL). Methoxsalen works by making the skin more sensitive to UVA light. For the treatment of psoriasis, this combination helps to slow the overgrowth of skin cells. For the treatment of vitiligo, this combination helps to increase the number of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin.

This medication is not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking methoxsalen and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not sunbathe for 24 hours before taking methoxsalen and having the UVA light treatment.

Take this medication by mouth with food or milk as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 4 hours before your UVA light treatment. Taking methoxsalen with food helps to increase absorption of the medication and also decreases nausea.

The dosage of methoxsalen is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. The amount and time of UVA light for each treatment is based on your skin type and response to treatment. You may have UVA light treatments 2 to 4 times a week when you first start and then less often as your condition improves.

For 24 hours after taking the capsule, during daylight hours wear wrap-around sunglasses which block out UVA light. This will prevent UVA rays from entering the eyes. UVA light can cause methoxsalen to bind to the lenses of the eyes, causing cataracts. Also, avoid sunlight (including sunlight through windows) on your skin or lips for at least 8 hours after taking methoxsalen. This will prevent the body from getting too much UVA rays which could lead to sunburns. If you cannot avoid sunlight, wear protective clothing (such as hat, gloves, long-sleeved shirt, pants) and/or sunscreen which blocks out UVA light. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for information on which sunscreen to use. Do not apply the sunscreen to areas of the skin affected by psoriasis/vitiligo until after the UVA light treatment.

During the UVA light treatment, follow all instructions given by the healthcare professional. After the UVA light treatment, do not sunbathe for at least 48 hours. Doing so may increase the risk of severe burns. Consult your doctor for more details.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Copyright © 2024 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

RxAnswers™ is a copyrighted combined product from TraceGains and First DataBank, Inc.

Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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There are some limitations on the information provided in “Nutrient Interactions.” Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article. Please read the disclaimer.

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TraceGains and/or its suppliers make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of this content herein or that of any organization referred or linked to within this content and will not be liable for any damages arising out of your access to or use of any information found herein or that of any organization referred to within this content.

Information expires December 2024.

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