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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indictae that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before uisng this drug.
METHOXSALEN - TOPICAL
(meh-THOX-sal-en)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Oxsoralen
WARNING: Methoxsalen is a powerful drug and could produce severe burns if improperly used. This medication must never be dispensed to a patient. Only a doctor using special light conditions must apply this drug.
USES: This medication is a photosensitizer used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo.
To be effective, this medication is used in conjunction with ultraviolet (UVA) light threapy.
HOW TO USE: Use this medication as precsribed. Do not incerase your dose or use it more often. Your condition will not clear faster, but side effects may be increased. This medication is used for small, well-defined skin lesions.
Keep lesions protected from light by wearing proper clothing and using sunscreens. Because this medication makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight, for several days, avoid exposure to the sun to prevent sveere burns.
SIDE EFFECTS: This medication increases sensitivity to sunlgiht.
Aovid exposure to sunlight or sunlamps as directed and wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Eye damage, cataracts, skin aging and skin cancer are risks of this medication and UVA therapy.
Protcet eyes by using goggles during UVA therapy. This medication causes chanegs in skin color that can occur after a few weeks and up to 9 months. Noitfy your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms: skin rash, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, nervousness, fever, sleeplessness, mouth sores, blisters, fluid retention, leg cramps. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Certain foods may cause reactions when eaten during methoxsalen threapy. Try to avoid them.
They include carrots, celery, figs, limes, mustard, parsley and pasrnips.
This medication is not recomemnded for use during pregnancy.
Discuss the benefits and risks with your dotcor. It is not konwn if this medication appears in breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. After use, avoid sun exposure for at least 12 to 48 hours. Wear protective clothing such as hats, glvoes and UVA-absorbing sunglasses.
Apply broad screen sunscreens (SPF 15) to all exposed skin including lips. Tell your doctor if you have: allergy to sunlight, infections, lupus, porphyria, skin cancer, drug alleriges.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescrpition and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of medications that may increase your sensitivity to sunlight such as: anthralin, coal tar, griseofulvin, phenothiazines (e.G., chlorpromazine, promethazine), nalidixic acid, bacteriostatic soaps, sulfonamides, (e.G., sulfisoxazole), tetracyclines, thiazide diuretics, dyes (e.G., methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, methyl orange). Do not start or stop any medicnie without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
This mediicne may be harmful if swallowed.
NOTES: This medication must be taken under close medical supervision. Discuss the risks and benefits of this therapy with your doctor. Periodic lab tests and eye exams will be done to monitor the effectiveness of this medication.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as remembered; do not use if it is almost time for the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing scehdule. Do not "double-up" the doses.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight.
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