Details

Methoxsalen is a naturally occurring substance that is reactive to light. It works by enhancing the body's sensitivity to ultraviolet light A (UVA). Methoxsalen is used in combination with UVA light therapy to treat severe psoriasis. Methoxsalen is usually given after other psoriasis medicines have been tried without success. Methoxsalen can cause harmful effects on your vision and on your skin (premature aging or skin cancer). This medicine is used only for severe psoriasis that has not improved with other treatments. You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to methoxsalen or similar "psoralen" medicines, or if you have a history of skin cancer lupus, porphyria, albinism, or other conditions that make you more sensitive to light or damage to the lenses of your eyes caused by surgery, injury, or genetic condition.

Typical Uses

Methoxsalen 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.

Side Effects

Inform your doctor if you have severe skin redness within 24 hours after UVA treatment severe itching, swelling, or severe skin discomfort blisters, pimples, or skin rash blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights feeling like you might pass out or worsening of your psoriasis. Mild skin redness may occur several hours after your UVA treatment and can last for 2 or 3 days. This is a normal effect of methoxsalen and UVA treatment, and may not be a sign of severe sunburn.

Drug Interactions

• Methoxsalen+amiodarone- Ask your doctor before using amiodarone together with methoxsalen. These medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
• Methoxsalen+auranofin- Ask your doctor before using auranofin together with methoxsalen. These medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
• Methoxsalen+benzthiazide- Ask your doctor before using benzthiazide together with methoxsalen. These medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
• Methoxsalen+fluphenazine- Ask your doctor before using fluphenazine together with methoxsalen. These medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
• Methoxsalen+levofloxacin- Ask your doctor before using levofloxacin together with methoxsalen. These medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).

Mechanism of action

Methoxsalen belongs to the group of medicines called psoralens (light-sensitive drug that absorbs ultraviolet light and acts like ultraviolet radiation). Methoxsalen works by modifying the way by which skin cells receive the ultraviolet light A (UVA) radiation, thereby clearing up the disease.

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